Go Back
–+ servings
Deliciously moist with a few surprise ingredients, you have to try these strawberry lemonade cupcakes! It's like taking a bite out of summer :)
Print Recipe
4.63 from 16 votes

Strawberry Lemonade Cupcakes

Deliciously moist with a few surprise ingredients, you have to try these strawberry lemonade cupcakes! It's like taking a bite out of summer :)
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Total Time25 minutes
Course: Dessert
Servings: 24 cupcakes
Author: The Chunky Chef

Ingredients

  • Box of strawberry cake mix (plus milk eggs and oil, as indicated on the box)
  • 1/2 packet Jell-O vanilla pudding mix
  • 2 tsp strawberry Kool-Aid drink mix
  • FOR THE FROSTING:
  • 12 oz . Philadelphia Cream Cheese softened (1 1/2 packages)
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 2 Tbsp heavy cream
  • 1 t packet lemonade Kool-Aid drink mix (you won' be using the whole packet start with about 1/2 tsp and adjust from there after tasting)
  • Yellow food coloring optional
  • 16 oz . Cool Whip frozen topping thawed
  • Fresh strawberries sliced, for decoration
  • Lemon rind for decoration
  • Strawberry licorice twist cut into 3" sections, for decoration
  • Yellow decorating sugar optional, for decoration

Instructions

  • Look at your cake mix box and preheat to suggested temperature written in the directions.
  • Add the dry mix to the bowl of a stand mixer, then follow instructions on the cake mix box (remembering to substitute milk or buttermilk for the water, and adding an extra egg). Pour in the vanilla pudding mix and strawberry Kool-Aid mix. Beat until combined.
  • Prepare muffin tin by lining with cupcake liners. Fill liners about 2/3 of the way full and bake, according to package directions, or until a toothpick inserted in the cupcake comes out clean.
  • FOR THE FROSTING:
  • To the bowl of a stand mixer, add the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar and heavy cream. Beat until well combined. Add in a bit of the lemonade Kool-Aid mix and beat to combine.
  • Spoon in the cool whip and mix until light and fluffy. Taste, and add more lemonade Kool-Aid mix if desired.
  • Add frosting to a large piping bag (or large zip top bag with a corner snipped off) and use any decorating tip you desire. I used a large closed star tip.
  • Frost cupcakes. Sprinkle with decorating sugar (if desired), and garnish with a sliced strawberry, lemon rind twist, and strawberry licorice twist.