Name: Halloween Strawberry Cupcakes with Strawberry Buttercream and Drizzled Strawberry Syrup Recipe
Prep time: 40 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 55 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 box strawberry cake mix (15.25 ounces) plus oil, water, and eggs as per package instructions; 2 sticks unsalted butter (1 cup); ½ cup strawberry jam; 4 cups powdered sugar; ½ teaspoon vanilla extract; Pinch kosher salt; ¼ cup strawberry syrup for drizzling

Jump to Recipe· 4.6 from 8 reviews

If you’re looking for a spooky yet sweet treat this season, you’ve got to try this Halloween Strawberry Cupcakes with Strawberry Buttercream and Drizzled Strawberry Syrup Recipe. These cupcakes are bursting with fresh strawberry flavor wrapped in fluffy cake, crowned with luscious strawberry buttercream, and finished off with a dramatic drizzle of strawberry syrup that doubles as creepy “blood.” Seriously, friends, once you make these, they’ll become your Halloween party showstopper—everyone will be asking for the recipe!

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Why This Recipe Works

Convenience Meets Flavor: Using a strawberry cake mix keeps the base simple, but adding homemade touches like strawberry jam and buttercream amps up freshness and flavor.
Perfect Texture Balance: The buttercream is creamy but not too sweet, balancing the light, airy cupcake perfectly.
Visual Drama: Drizzling strawberry syrup at the end creates an eye-catching, “bloody” effect that’s perfect for Halloween parties.
Easy To Customize: The recipe provides a flexible base you can dress up or down depending on your crowd and creativity.

There is a white rectangular tray with seven cupcakes arranged on it. Each cupcake has a green wrapper and is topped with pale pink frosting piped to look like brain folds. Bright red syrup is dripping and pooling around the base of each cupcake, resembling blood. The tray rests on a white marbled surface. In the background, there is a lit candle in a glass holder and a small skull decoration, creating a spooky atmosphere. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient here plays its part beautifully—starting with the cake mix for a fail-proof strawberry base and finishing with homemade strawberry buttercream for fresh, fruity frosting. I always recommend choosing good quality unsalted butter and real strawberry jam for that authentic flavor boost.

Strawberry cake mix: Using a boxed mix cuts down prep time while giving a consistent strawberry flavor and moistness.
Unsalted butter: Creamy and smooth, this adds richness and helps create that luscious buttercream texture.
Strawberry jam: Elevates the strawberry flavor in the frosting with real fruit bursts instead of just artificial flavoring.
Powdered sugar: Sweetens and thickens the frosting to that perfect pipe-able consistency.
Vanilla extract: Rounds out the flavor and balances the sweet strawberry taste.
Kosher salt: Just a pinch to enhance the flavor depth without making the frosting salty.
Strawberry syrup for drizzling: Adds that dramatic finishing touch that’s both tasty and visually striking for Halloween.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Tweak to Your Taste

I actually love playing around with this recipe depending on the crowd or mood. Sometimes, I add a tiny splash of lemon juice to the frosting for brightness or swap strawberry syrup for raspberry for a different “blood” color. And trust me, it all still tastes amazing!

Variation: For a dairy-free version, I’ve swapped butter for vegan butter alternatives and used a dairy-free cake mix – still got rave reviews from my plant-based friends!
Spicy twist: Adding a pinch of cinnamon or cayenne to the frosting gives an unexpected but delightful warmth that surprised me the first time.
Decor detail: You can pipe little “brain” patterns with the buttercream to fully embrace the Halloween theme, which always sparks fun conversations.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Halloween Strawberry Cupcakes with Strawberry Buttercream and Drizzled Strawberry Syrup Recipe

Step 1: Bake the Strawberry Cupcakes

Start by preparing the strawberry cake mix exactly according to the package directions, making sure to add the oil, eggs, and water as required. I like to line my cupcake tins with bright orange or black liners just to amp up the Halloween vibe! Bake the cupcakes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean—usually about 15 minutes. Let them cool completely on a wire rack before frosting; trust me, you don’t want your frosting to melt and slide off.

Step 2: Make the Strawberry Buttercream

In your mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat 2 sticks of unsalted butter on medium speed until fluffy and smooth—this usually takes about 3-4 minutes. Then, add in ½ cup of strawberry jam and mix until fully blended for that burst of fresh fruitiness. Next, with the mixer on medium-low speed, add 4 cups of powdered sugar one cup at a time, scraping the sides as you go. Finish with ½ teaspoon vanilla extract and a pinch of kosher salt, mixing until everything is silky smooth and perfect for piping.

Step 3: Frost Your Cupcakes

Using an offset spatula, spread a thin layer of strawberry buttercream over the top of each cooled cupcake—don’t worry about making it perfect! This creates a delicious base. For the fun part: load the remaining buttercream into a piping bag fitted with a small round tip. Pipe a slightly curved line down the center of each cupcake that looks like an ‘L’ shape, then fill in with swirls and squiggles all around to mimic creepy “zombie brains.” This part is my favorite because it feels like decorating a Halloween masterpiece.

Step 4: Drizzle the Strawberry Syrup

Finally, place your creations on a rimmed serving tray and lightly drizzle ¼ cup of strawberry syrup over them. The syrup acts as the perfect “blood” drip effect, making these cupcakes look spectacular for any Halloween gathering. Remember, I like to drizzle the syrup just before serving so the syrup stays glossy and doesn’t soak into the buttercream.

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Pro Tips for Making Halloween Strawberry Cupcakes with Strawberry Buttercream and Drizzled Strawberry Syrup Recipe

Don’t Skip Cooling: Make sure the cupcakes are completely cooled before frosting to avoid melting or sliding icing.
Jam Quality Matters: Use a high-quality strawberry jam or preserve with noticeable fruit pieces to deepen the frosting’s flavor.
Piping Practice: If you’re new to piping “brains,” practice on parchment paper first to get comfortable with swirls and squiggles.
Serve Syrup Last: Add the strawberry syrup right before serving to keep the design neat and syrup glossy.

How to Serve Halloween Strawberry Cupcakes with Strawberry Buttercream and Drizzled Strawberry Syrup Recipe

A single cupcake sits in the middle of a white plate on a white marbled surface. The cupcake has pink frosting piped in a brain-like pattern showing two distinct halves with detailed curves and lines. Bright red syrup is spread underneath and around the cupcake in drops and small splashes, creating a contrast against the white plate. In the corner, a white tray holds more similar cupcakes with the same frosting and red syrup details. Two whole strawberries and a white cloth with pale stripes are partially visible nearby. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

I love adding a few thin lemon zest strips on top for a zing of color contrast and freshness—it makes the cupcakes pop visually and cuts through the sweetness. Sometimes, I also sprinkle edible glitter or little candy eyeballs for a whimsical, spooky touch that kids adore.

Side Dishes

These cupcakes pair beautifully with light pumpkin soups or a fresh fruit platter featuring citrus and dark berries. For drinks, a chilled glass of sparkling lemonade or a lightly spiced apple cider complements the strawberry flavor without overpowering it.

Creative Ways to Present

For a Halloween bash, I like to arrange these cupcakes on a tiered cake stand surrounded by faux cobwebs and mini pumpkins. Another fun idea is to place them inside hollowed-out pumpkins or use decorative cupcake wrappers shaped like spider webs or bats – trust me, the kids and adults love the theatrical setup!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

After frosting, keep any leftover cupcakes in an airtight container in the fridge to preserve freshness. They’ll stay moist and flavorful for up to 3 days. Just remember to add the strawberry syrup drizzle only before serving so the frosting doesn’t get soggy.

Freezing

If you want to prep in advance, you can freeze the unfrosted cupcakes wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and in a freezer bag for up to 2 months. Thaw them fully at room temperature before frosting and applying your drizzled syrup for best results.

Reheating

I usually just let refrigerated cupcakes come to room temperature before serving, but if you want a slightly warm treat, 10 seconds in the microwave does the trick—just don’t overdo it or your buttercream melts!

FAQs

Can I make these cupcakes vegan?

Absolutely! Use a vegan strawberry cake mix or bake your own vegan strawberry cake. Substitute butter with vegan margarine and replace eggs with flax egg or applesauce. The strawberry buttercream can be made vegan by using vegan butter and powdered sugar. Just adjust the consistency as needed.
How do I pipe the “zombie brains” design?

Fill a piping bag with the prepared strawberry buttercream and use a small round tip. Pipe an ‘L’ shaped line down the middle of the cupcake, then create swirls and squiggles branching out from that line to cover each half. It helps to practice on parchment paper if you’re new to piping decorative frosting.
Can I use homemade strawberry syrup?

Yes! Homemade strawberry syrup works beautifully and gives you more control over sweetness and thickness. Just reduce fresh strawberry puree with a bit of sugar and lemon juice until syrupy. It makes the drizzling look and taste even fresher.
What if I don’t have strawberry syrup?

If strawberry syrup isn’t on hand, you can substitute with raspberry syrup or even a thin drizzle of melted red candy melts. Just be mindful of sweetness and consistency to keep that dramatic “blood” effect.

Final Thoughts

Honestly, these Halloween Strawberry Cupcakes with Strawberry Buttercream and Drizzled Strawberry Syrup Recipe have become one of my go-to festive treats. They’re approachable for bakers at any level but still feel special enough to impress your guests. The combination of flavors and that fun “brainy” frosting design always bring smiles—and maybe a little squeal. So grab some strawberries, have fun with the piping, and get ready to wow your Halloween crew with something delightfully delicious and perfectly spooky.

Halloween Strawberry Cupcakes with Strawberry Buttercream and Drizzled Strawberry Syrup Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.6 from 8 reviews

Author: Julia
Prep Time: 40 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes
Yield: 24 servings
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Print Recipe

Description

These Halloween Cupcakes are a festive treat featuring moist strawberry cupcakes topped with a luscious strawberry buttercream frosting. The frosting is piped to resemble spooky zombie brains and finished with a drizzle of strawberry syrup for a blood-like effect, perfect for any Halloween celebration.

Ingredients

Cupcakes

1 box strawberry cake mix (15.25 ounces) plus oil, water, and eggs as per package instructions

Strawberry Buttercream Frosting

2 sticks unsalted butter (1 cup)
½ cup strawberry jam
4 cups powdered sugar
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Pinch kosher salt

Topping

¼ cup strawberry syrup for drizzling

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Prepare Cupcakes: Use the strawberry cake mix to prepare 24 cupcakes according to the package instructions. Once baked, let them cool completely before decorating to ensure the frosting does not melt.
Make Strawberry Buttercream: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the unsalted butter on medium speed until fluffy and smooth. Add the strawberry jam and continue mixing on medium speed until fully incorporated.
Add Powdered Sugar: While beating on medium-low speed, gradually add the powdered sugar one cup at a time until all is incorporated, creating a smooth and thick buttercream.
Flavor and Season: Add vanilla extract and a pinch of kosher salt to the frosting. Mix on medium speed until the frosting is smooth and evenly combined.
Frost Cupcakes: Using an offset spatula, frost the top of each cupcake thinly with the strawberry buttercream. This thin layer serves as the base for the zombie brain design and doesn’t need to be perfect.
Pipe the Zombie Brain Design: Transfer the remaining buttercream to a piping bag fitted with a small round frosting tip. Pipe a curved line down the center of each cupcake like an ‘L’ shape, then add swirls and squiggles extending from that curve, covering half the cupcake to create the brain effect. Repeat on the other half of the cupcake.
Add the Finishing Touch: Place the cupcakes on a rimmed serving tray and drizzle lightly with strawberry syrup to simulate blood. For best results, drizzle just before serving.

Notes

Ensure cupcakes are completely cooled before frosting to prevent melting.
Use a small round piping tip for detailed zombie brain designs.
Store frosted cupcakes in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Drizzle strawberry syrup right before serving to maintain its fresh appearance.
If desired, substitute strawberry jam with raspberry jam for a different berry flavor.