These Strawberry Piggy Cupcakes are as adorable as they are delicious. With soft, fluffy strawberry-infused cake and a creamy pink vanilla frosting, they’re the perfect combination of playful and sweet. Topped with fresh strawberries, chocolate sprinkles, and mini chocolate chips to create irresistible piggy faces, these cupcakes are ideal for birthday parties, baby showers, themed events, or baking fun with kids.
The base is a classic vanilla cupcake with bits of juicy strawberries mixed in for fruity flavor and natural moisture. The frosting is a smooth vanilla buttercream, tinted pink to match the theme and whipped to perfection. What makes these cupcakes so special is the decoration—simple ingredients turned into charming pig snouts, ears, eyes, and noses that bring these treats to life. Fun to bake, fun to decorate, and even more fun to eat, these piggy cupcakes are bound to be a hit for pig-lovers and dessert fans alike.
Ingredients
🔹 For the Cupcakes:
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1½ cups all-purpose flour
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1½ teaspoons baking powder
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¼ teaspoon salt
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½ cup unsalted butter, softened
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¾ cup granulated sugar
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2 large eggs
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1 teaspoon vanilla extract
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½ cup milk
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½ cup fresh strawberries, diced
🔹 The Frosting:
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1 cup unsalted butter, softened
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2 cups powdered sugar
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2 tablespoons heavy cream or milk
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1 teaspoon vanilla extract
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Pink food coloring
🔹 For Decoration:
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Fresh strawberries (sliced into rounds for snouts, small wedges for ears)
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Chocolate sprinkles (for eyes and eyebrows)
-
Mini chocolate chips (for nostrils)
Optional Add-ins:
-
Strawberry extract for enhanced flavor
-
Strawberry jam center
-
Edible candy eyes instead of sprinkles
Preparation
Make the cupcakes
Step 1: Preheat and prep
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a muffin tin with 12 cupcake liners.
Step 2: Mix dry ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together 1½ cups flour, 1½ teaspoons baking powder, and ¼ teaspoon salt. Set aside.
Step 3: Cream butter and sugar
In a large mixing bowl, beat ½ cup softened butter and ¾ cup sugar until light and fluffy, about 2–3 minutes.
Step 4: Add eggs and vanilla
Beat in 2 eggs, one at a time, then mix in 1 teaspoon vanilla extract until well combined.
Step 5: Combine with milk and dry mix
Alternately add the flour mixture and ½ cup milk to the wet ingredients, beginning and ending with the flour. Mix until just combined.
Step 6: Fold in strawberries
Gently fold in the ½ cup diced strawberries, being careful not to overmix.
Step 7: Fill and bake
Spoon the batter into the prepared cupcake liners, filling each about ⅔ full. Bake for 18–22 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool completely on a wire rack before frosting.
Make the frosting
Step 8: Beat the butter
In a large bowl, beat 1 cup softened butter until smooth and creamy.
Step 9: Add sugar and vanilla
Gradually add 2 cups powdered sugar and beat until fluffy. Add 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and 2 tablespoons cream or milk to reach desired consistency.
Step 10: Color and fluff
Add pink food coloring a little at a time until you achieve your desired piggy pink shade. Beat for 1 more minute to make the frosting light and spreadable.
Decorate the piggy faces
Step 11: Frost the cupcakes
Using a piping bag with a round tip or a knife, frost each cooled cupcake with a swirl or flat mound of pink frosting.
Step 12: Create pig snouts and ears
Place a strawberry round in the center of each cupcake for the pig’s snout. Use mini chocolate chips to make two nostrils on each round. Add two small strawberry wedges at the top for ears.
Step 13: Add eyes and details
Place chocolate sprinkles above the snout as eyes and eyebrows. Adjust pieces until you achieve your desired piggy expression. Serve immediately or chill until ready to display.
Variation
Put a creative twist on your Strawberry Piggy Cupcakes with these ideas:
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Chocolate Piggies: Add cocoa powder to the cupcake batter and use chocolate buttercream tinted pink.
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Jam-Filled: Core each baked cupcake and fill with strawberry jam before frosting.
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Vegan Version: Use plant-based butter, milk, and egg substitutes for a dairy-free, eggless option.
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Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting: Swap the buttercream for pink strawberry cream cheese frosting for a tangy twist.
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Mini Piggies: Make mini cupcakes for bite-sized cuteness, adjusting baking time accordingly.
COOKING Note
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Don’t overmix the batter once the strawberries are added—this helps prevent dense cupcakes.
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Allow cupcakes to cool fully before frosting to prevent the buttercream from melting.
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For the smoothest frosting, sift the powdered sugar before mixing.
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Use gel food coloring for brighter pink without adding too much liquid.
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Assemble decorations shortly before serving to keep fruit slices fresh.
Tips
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If using juicy strawberries, pat them dry before folding into the batter.
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Store decorated cupcakes in the fridge, but let them sit at room temperature 15 minutes before serving.
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Prep all decorative elements before you begin assembling to speed up decorating.
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Keep extra frosting and decorations nearby in case of mishaps or last-minute touch-ups.
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Turn this into a fun baking activity for kids—let them decorate their own piggy cupcakes!
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cooking Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Nutritional Information (per cupcake, based on 12 servings)
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Calories: 330
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Protein: 2g
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Fat: 18g
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Carbohydrates: 38g
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Sugar: 28g
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Sodium: 100mg
Note: Values may vary depending on frosting and decoration quantities used.
FAQs
Can I make these cupcakes in advance?
Yes! You can bake the cupcakes a day ahead and store them covered at room temp. Frost and decorate the day of serving for best appearance.
Can I use frozen strawberries?
Fresh strawberries are best for texture and appearance, but you can use thawed and drained frozen strawberries in a pinch.
How do I make the frosting pink without food coloring?
Try using a tablespoon of strained strawberry purée or beet juice for a natural tint.
Can I freeze the cupcakes?
You can freeze the unfrosted cupcakes for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temp and frost fresh.
What’s the best way to apply decorations?
Use tweezers or clean hands to place small pieces like chocolate chips and sprinkles with precision.
Conclusion
Strawberry Piggy Cupcakes are the perfect blend of cuteness and flavor, combining moist strawberry cake, creamy pink frosting, and charming piggy decorations. Whether you’re planning a themed celebration or just want to bake something joyful and creative, these cupcakes deliver on taste and presentation. Simple ingredients, easy steps, and big smiles make this a baking project worth every moment. One bite, and you’ll agree—these piggies are irresistibly sweet.
Print
Strawberry Piggy Cupcakes Recipe
- Total Time: 45 min
Ingredients
Ingredients
🔹 For the Cupcakes:
-
1½ cups all-purpose flour
-
1½ teaspoons baking powder
-
¼ teaspoon salt
-
½ cup unsalted butter, softened
-
¾ cup granulated sugar
-
2 large eggs
-
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
-
½ cup milk
-
½ cup fresh strawberries, diced
🔹 For the Frosting:
-
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
-
2 cups powdered sugar
-
2 tablespoons heavy cream or milk
-
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
-
Pink food coloring
🔹 For Decoration:
-
Fresh strawberries (sliced into rounds for snouts, small wedges for ears)
-
Chocolate sprinkles (for eyes and eyebrows)
-
Mini chocolate chips (for nostrils)
Optional Add-ins:
-
Strawberry extract for enhanced flavor
-
Strawberry jam center
-
Edible candy eyes instead of sprinkles
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat and prep
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a muffin tin with 12 cupcake liners.
Step 2: Mix dry ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together 1½ cups flour, 1½ teaspoons baking powder, and ¼ teaspoon salt. Set aside.
Step 3: Cream butter and sugar
In a large mixing bowl, beat ½ cup softened butter and ¾ cup sugar until light and fluffy, about 2–3 minutes.
Step 4: Add eggs and vanilla
Beat in 2 eggs, one at a time, then mix in 1 teaspoon vanilla extract until well combined.
Step 5: Combine with milk and dry mix
Alternately add the flour mixture and ½ cup milk to the wet ingredients, beginning and ending with the flour. Mix until just combined.
Step 6: Fold in strawberries
Gently fold in the ½ cup diced strawberries, being careful not to overmix.
Step 7: Fill and bake
Spoon the batter into the prepared cupcake liners, filling each about ⅔ full. Bake for 18–22 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool completely on a wire rack before frosting.
Step 8: Beat the butter
In a large bowl, beat 1 cup softened butter until smooth and creamy.
Step 9: Add sugar and vanilla
Gradually add 2 cups powdered sugar and beat until fluffy. Add 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and 2 tablespoons cream or milk to reach desired consistency.
Step 10: Color and fluff
Add pink food coloring a little at a time until you achieve your desired piggy pink shade. Beat for 1 more minute to make the frosting light and spreadable.
Step 11: Frost the cupcakes
Using a piping bag with a round tip or a knife, frost each cooled cupcake with a swirl or flat mound of pink frosting.
Step 12: Create pig snouts and ears
Place a strawberry round in the center of each cupcake for the pig’s snout. Use mini chocolate chips to make two nostrils on each round. Add two small strawberry wedges at the top for ears.
Step 13: Add eyes and details
Place chocolate sprinkles above the snout as eyes and eyebrows. Adjust pieces until you achieve your desired piggy expression. Serve immediately or chill until ready to display.
Notes
-
Don’t overmix the batter once the strawberries are added—this helps prevent dense cupcakes.
-
Allow cupcakes to cool fully before frosting to prevent the buttercream from melting.
-
For the smoothest frosting, sift the powdered sugar before mixing.
-
Use gel food coloring for brighter pink without adding too much liquid.
-
Assemble decorations shortly before serving to keep fruit slices fresh.
- Prep Time: 25 min
- Cook Time: 20 min
Nutrition
- Calories: 330
- Sugar: 28g
- Sodium: 100 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Protein: 2 g