Fluffy strawberry cupcakes with berry-swirled frosting, pastel sprinkles, and the cutest Easter toppers!

If you’re looking for the sweetest way to celebrate spring, these Spring Swirl Strawberry Cupcakes are it! Made with a simple boxed cake mix (Dolly Parton’s strawberry cake!), these cupcakes are soft, flavorful, and topped with a delicious strawberry swirl frosting. Add a sprinkle of pastel nonpareils and the cutest edible Easter decorations, and you’ve got the most fun Easter dessert!

Recipe Rundown

The Cake

I’ve been on a roll trying all of Dolly Parton’s new mixes, and her strawberry cake mix might be my new favorite. It’s super flavorful and bakes up like a dream. I kept things simple and topped it with strawberry frosting to match.

The Frosting

I’m not big on strawberry extract or emulsions—they’re just not my thing—so I used ground-up dried strawberries for that real berry flavor. It gives it a fresher taste that’s not too sweet. But honestly, you could totally go with pink vanilla frosting or even Dolly’s canned strawberry frosting if you’re keeping things easy.

The Decorations

I used pastel nonpareils for a little pop of color without taking away from the fun toppers. And those tiny bunny ears are so super cute. They’re just the right size and don’t totally take over the cupcake.

The Toppers

The real stars are the Easter eggs and mini bunny bottoms from my friend Rebecca’s Etsy shop. She sprays them with edible glitter so they sparkle. They’re the perfect finishing touch and make the cupcakes feel super spring-tastic.

FAQ

Q: Can I use a different strawberry cake mix?
Absolutely! Any boxed strawberry cake mix will work, but Dolly Parton’s version has great flavor and texture.

Q: How do I make strawberry powder?
You can grind freeze-dried strawberries (not dried or chewy ones) in a food processor or blender until they’re a super-fine powder. It adds real strawberry flavor and natural pink color!

Q: Do I have to use a piping bag?
Nope! You can totally spread the frosting on with a knife or spoon. It’s just as cute—and still delicious.

Q: Can I make these cupcakes ahead of time?
Yes! Bake the cupcakes a day in advance and store them (unfrosted) in an airtight container. Frost and decorate the day of for the freshest look.

Q: Where did you get those cute toppers?
The bunny bottoms and Easter eggs are from Roses & Whiskers on Etsy, and the bunny ears are from Michaels!

Sprinkle of Fun

Hosting an outdoor Easter brunch is the perfect way to enjoy spring with your favorite people! Set up a simple backyard table with fresh fruit, savory bites, and colorful drinks, and of course these Spring Strawberry Swirl Cupcakes. Let the kids run around hunting for eggs while the adults relax and catch up. You can even turn it into a decorating activity—lay out extra sprinkles and Easter toppers so everyone can customize their own cupcake. It’s a super fun way to soak up the sunshine and enjoy Easter afternoon.

Spring Swirl Strawberry Cupcakes

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

• Author: Taryn Camp

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 box of strawberry cake mix + the ingredients listed on the box
  (I used Dolly Parton’s Strawberry Cake Mix and loved the flavor!)
• 2 sticks of salted butter, softened
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3–4 tablespoons heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons freeze-dried strawberry powder
  (Just pulse dried strawberries in a blender or food processor until super fine!)
• Pink food coloring (optional, for a pop of color)
• Pastel or spring-colored nonpareils
• Edible Easter garnishes –
  Bunny bottoms + eggs from Roses & Whiskers Shop
  Bunny ears from Michaels

Instructions

1. Line a cupcake pan with 24 Easter-themed liners.
2. Prepare the cake mix according to the box instructions, then fill each liner about 2/3 full with batter.
3. Bake as directed and let the cupcakes cool completely before frosting.
4. In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter until smooth and creamy.
5. Add in half the powdered sugar and mix well.
6. Add the remaining powdered sugar, vanilla, heavy cream, and strawberry powder. Mix until light and fluffy.
7. If the frosting is too thick, add an extra tablespoon of heavy cream at a time until you reach your desired consistency.
8. Add pink food coloring to your liking and mix until evenly tinted.
9. Spoon the frosting into a piping bag fitted with an open star tip, or simply spread it on with a knife.
10. Swirl a generous amount onto each cupcake.
11. Sprinkle with nonpareils and finish with your Easter-themed sugar toppers.