Rosy Cardamom Cupcakes: Strawberry Basil Buttercream Recipe

Sweet, pillowy strawberry cardamom cupcakes dance with unexpected herbal notes in this delightful strawberry basil buttercream recipe.

Fragrant cardamom weaves its warm magic through tender cake crumbs, creating a sophisticated dessert that surprises and delights.

Fresh strawberries blend seamlessly with delicate basil, bringing a bright, complex flavor profile to each bite.

The buttercream whispers hints of summer gardens and elegant pastry shops.

Soft, aromatic spices mingle with fruity undertones, promising a dessert that breaks free from ordinary cupcake expectations.

Rich yet light, these cupcakes offer a gourmet experience that transforms an everyday treat into a culinary adventure.

Bake these and watch as each forkful tells a story of unexpected flavor combinations.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Calories: 239 kcal

Servings: 13

Ingredients in Strawberry Cardamom Cupcakes with Basil Buttercream

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and tender crumb for the cupcakes, choose unbleached flour for best texture.
• Baking Powder: Helps cupcakes rise and become light, ensure it's fresh for optimal leavening.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness, use fine sea salt for even distribution.
• Ground Cardamom: Adds warm, aromatic spice with subtle citrusy notes, choose freshly ground for intense flavor.

• Butter: Delivers rich, creamy base for cupcakes, select high-quality unsalted butter at room temperature.
• Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps create tender texture, use granulated white sugar for consistent results.
• Eggs: Bind ingredients and add moisture, choose fresh large eggs at room temperature.
• Milk: Creates soft, moist cupcake crumb, whole milk gives best flavor and richness.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and warmth to flavor profile, use pure vanilla for best taste.

• Fresh Strawberries: Brings natural sweetness and vibrant color, choose ripe, fragrant berries.
• Fresh Basil: Provides unexpected herbal brightness, select bright green leaves without wilting.
• Egg Whites: Creates silky, stable buttercream base, use fresh, room temperature whites.

Tools for Strawberry Cardamom Cupcakes & Frosting

• Stand Mixer: Your best friend for creaming butter, whipping meringue, and mixing batters smoothly.
• Large Mixing Bowls: Essential for combining dry ingredients and preparing batter.
• Whisk: Perfect for blending ingredients and creating smooth mixtures.
• Muffin Tin: Holds your cupcake liners and shapes the cupcakes during baking.
• Cupcake Liners: Prevents sticking and makes serving easy.
• Heatproof Bowl: Needed for making Swiss meringue buttercream over simmering water.
• Small Bowls: Useful for mixing milk and vanilla, separating ingredients.
• Wire Rack: Helps cupcakes cool evenly without getting soggy.
• Spatula: Helps scrape batter and mix ingredients thoroughly.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Ensures precise ingredient quantities.
• Toothpick: Checks cupcake doneness by testing center.

How to Bake Strawberry Cardamom Cupcakes with Basil Buttercream

• Cupcake Preparation

Warm up the kitchen oven and create a cozy space for delightful strawberry treats. Arrange soft paper liners in a muffin pan, ready to cradle the sweet batter.

• Dry Ingredient Blend

Combine flour, baking powder, salt, and cardamom in a mixing bowl. These powdery friends will create a magical foundation for your cupcakes.

• Butter and Sugar Dance

Whip butter and sugar together until they transform into a fluffy cloud of deliciousness. Add eggs one by one, letting each incorporate smoothly.

• Liquid Magic

Gently fold milk and vanilla into the batter, alternating with the dry ingredients. Introduce pureed strawberries, creating a rosy, fragrant mixture.

• Baking Transformation

Pour the batter into waiting cupcake homes. Slide the pan into the oven and let the magic happen for about 22 minutes until they’re perfectly golden and springy.

• Cooling Moment

Allow cupcakes to rest briefly in the pan, then transfer to a cooling rack for complete relaxation.

• Buttercream Elegance

Create a silky Swiss meringue by gently heating egg whites and sugar. Whip into a glossy cloud, then fold in soft butter and fresh basil.

• Strawberry Whispers

Blend strawberry puree into the buttercream, creating a blush-colored frosting with herbal undertones.

• Final Flourish

Generously coat each cupcake with the strawberry basil buttercream. Sprinkle with delicate rose petals for a touch of whimsy.

Tips for Perfect Strawberry Cardamom Cupcakes

• Master soft, moist cupcakes by ensuring all ingredients are at room temperature before mixing, which helps create a smoother, more even batter.
• Experiment with different herb combinations like mint or thyme in the buttercream to create unique taste profiles that complement the strawberry's sweetness.
• Keep these cupcakes refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days, allowing the flavors to meld and intensify over time.
• Fold in finely chopped fresh strawberries into the batter for additional bursts of fruit texture and more intense strawberry flavor throughout the cupcakes.
• Create elegant garnishes by candying fresh strawberry slices or using edible gold leaf to elevate the visual appeal of these sophisticated cupcakes.

Ways to Serve Strawberry Cardamom Cupcakes

• Elegant Garden Party Pairing: Serve these delightful cupcakes on a vintage cake stand surrounded by fresh strawberries and sprigs of basil for a stunning presentation that captures the essence of the recipe's flavors.
• Afternoon Tea Companion: Match these cupcakes with a light chamomile or Earl Grey tea to complement the delicate cardamom and strawberry notes, creating a sophisticated dessert experience perfect for afternoon gatherings.
• Seasonal Summer Showcase: Pair the cupcakes with a chilled rosé wine or sparkling prosecco to enhance the fruity undertones and create a refreshing dessert moment that celebrates summer's vibrant flavors.
• Dessert Plating Artistry: Dust the plated cupcakes with a light sprinkle of ground cardamom and add a few fresh basil leaves as a garnish to elevate the visual appeal and provide an aromatic finishing touch.

Storage for Strawberry Cardamom Cupcakes with Basil Frosting

• Cupcake Freshness Guardian: Store these delightful strawberry cardamom cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days to maintain their soft, delicate texture and vibrant flavors.
• Refrigeration Rescue: When planning ahead, refrigerate the frosted cupcakes in a sealed container for 3-4 days, allowing the buttercream to firm up and preserve the cupcakes' delectable quality.
• Freezing Magic: Wrap unfrosted cupcakes individually in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container to keep for up to 1 month, ensuring a quick dessert solution for unexpected sweet cravings.
• Make-Ahead Brilliance: Prepare the buttercream and cupcake batter separately up to 1 day in advance, storing them in the refrigerator to streamline your baking process and reduce day-of preparation stress.

Sweet Strawberry Cardamom Cupcakes

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4.6 from 14 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Delectable strawberry cardamom cupcakes blend sweet and aromatic flavors in a delightful dessert. Creamy strawberry basil buttercream crowns these elegant treats, offering you a memorable culinary experience with each sublime bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 ¼ cups (532 ml) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup plus 2 tbsps (255 g) sugar
• 1 cup plus 2 tbsps (255 g) sugar
• 8 tbsps (113 g) unsalted butter, softened
• 12 tbsps (170 g) unsalted butter, softened
• 2 eggs
• 2 egg whites
• ¾ cup (177 ml) pureed strawberries
• ½ cup (118 ml) pureed strawberries
• ½ cup (120 ml) whole milk
• 1 tsp ground cardamom
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ¼ cup (15 g) finely chopped basil
• ½ tbsp baking powder
• ½ tsp salt

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Instructions

1. Preheat Preparation: Warm the oven to 350°F and line a muffin tin with cupcake liners.
2. Dry Ingredient Fusion: Whisk flour, baking powder, salt, and ground cardamom in a mixing bowl until perfectly combined.
3. Butter Transformation: Cream butter and sugar in a stand mixer until light and fluffy, creating a voluminous base.
4. Egg Integration: Add eggs one at a time, fully incorporating each before the next addition.
5. Liquid Harmony: Alternately mix dry ingredients and milk-vanilla blend, maintaining a smooth batter consistency.
6. Fruity Infusion: Gently fold strawberry puree throughout the batter, ensuring even distribution.
7. Baking Ritual: Fill cupcake liners three-quarters full and bake for 20-25 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.
8. Cooling Process: Rest cupcakes briefly in the pan, then transfer to a cooling rack for complete temperature reduction.
9. Buttercream Alchemy: Whisk egg whites and sugar over a water bath until sugar dissolves and mixture reaches 160°F.
10. Meringue Mastery: Whip the mixture in a stand mixer until robust peaks form, then gradually integrate butter fragments.
11. Flavor Fusion: Blend finely chopped basil and strawberry puree into the buttercream, creating a vibrant, aromatic topping.
12. Final Flourish: Generously pipe strawberry basil buttercream onto completely cooled cupcakes, garnishing with a drizzle of strawberry puree and delicate edible rose petals.

Notes

• Precision Matters: Ensure all ingredients are at room temperature for smooth, even mixing and optimal cupcake texture.
• Temperature Tip: Use an instant-read thermometer when heating egg whites to guarantee food safety and perfect meringue consistency.
• Folding Technique: Gently incorporate strawberry puree to maintain batter’s airiness and prevent deflation of delicate mixture.
• Decoration Hack: Chill buttercream briefly if it becomes too soft for piping, allowing for more precise and elegant cake decorating.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 239
• Sugar: 22 g
• Sodium: 123 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 34 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 55 mg