These Chocolate Covered Strawberry Cupcakes are bakery-level impressive, and completely gluten-free. The combination of rich chocolate cake, fresh strawberry jam filling, and ganache frosting is one of my all-time favorite flavor combinations.
Fluffy, superbly chocolatey, and topped with a chocolate-covered strawberry. I’m not sure I could make a more perfect cupcake…and I do love a good cupcake.
This stunning chocolate cupcake is gluten-free, but it’s not dry or flavorless, like some gluten-free desserts can tend to be. These are full of deep chocolate flavor. After several test batches, I landed on using both cocoa powder and melted dark chocolate. The combination gives a depth of flavor you just can’t get from one alone. The melted chocolate in the batter adds fat and moisture that help compensate for the lack of gluten structure. This makes them incredibly rich and delicious.
To brighten things up a bit, we fill the center of the cupcakes with a quick and easy strawberry chia jam. It’s made with just strawberries, chia seeds, lemon juice, and maple syrup.
And on top? A chocolate ganache frosting, and a perfect strawberry dipped in chocolate and perched right on top, like a little jewel.
It might all sound complicated, but I promise you it’s not. The jam takes about 15 minutes, the ganache comes together in one bowl, and the chocolate-dipped strawberries are easier than they look. There are a few components, but each one is simple and absolutely worth it.
Why You’ll Love These Chocolate Strawberry Cupcakes
- Deeply chocolatey, not just sweet. Using both cacao powder and melted dark chocolate in the batter gives these a richness that most chocolate cupcakes just don’t have.
- Gluten-free, but you wouldn’t guess it. No dry, crumbly texture here. The almond flour and tapioca keep them moist and tender every time.
- That strawberry jam filling is a game-changer. It takes just 15 minutes to make and adds a bright, fruity center.
- They look stunning with minimal effort. A scoop of ganache frosting and a chocolate-dipped strawberry on top, and they look like they came from a bakery (without the work of piping).
- Make-ahead friendly. Most components can be prepped in advance, making assembly much less stressful than it looks.
A Few of My Tips for Success
There are a few things I’ve learned from making these multiple times that are worth sharing before you dive in.
Start with the jam. It should cool completely before you can fill the cupcakes, so things don’t get soggy. I usually make it the morning of, or even a day ahead, since it keeps well in the fridge.
Watch your cupcakes closely toward the end of bake time. Almond flour can go from done to dry faster than wheat flour, so I start checking at 18 minutes. You’re looking for a clean toothpick and a top that springs back when you gently press it.
If your ganache looks grainy or broken at any point, don’t stress. It usually just means there was a temperature mismatch between the chocolate and cream. Slowly stir in a small splash of warmed coconut cream, and it should come back together smoothly.
And finally, let everything cool completely before you assemble. I know it’s hard to wait, but warm cupcakes will melt the frosting, and the whole thing falls apart. It’s worth the patience, I promise!
I hope you adore these gluten-free chocolate cupcakes as much as I do! If you’re also a chocolate-strawberry lover, you need to try this Chocolate Strawberry Oatmeal for breakfast soon, and I recommend these outrageously good Chocolate Strawberry Brownies too. Happy baking, my friend!
Chocolate Covered Strawberry Cupcakes
Ingredients
For the strawberry chia jam
- 4 cups fresh strawberries, chopped
- 2 Tbsp maple syrup
- 1 Tbsp chia seeds
- 1 lemon juiced
For the cupcakes
- 2 cups (196g) blanched almond flour
- ½ cup (57g) tapioca flour
- ¾ tsp baking powder
- ¾ tsp baking soda
- 1½ tsp kosher salt
- 1 cup coconut sugar
- ⅔ cup (66g) cacao powder
- ½ cup (4 oz) non-dairy milk of choice, warmed
- ⅓ cup (81g) unsweetened applesauce
- ¼ cup (50g) refined coconut oil, melted
- ¼ cup (1.5 oz) dark chocolate, melted
- ¼ cup (64g) creamy almond or cashew butter
- 1 large egg + 1 yolk room temperature or 2 flax eggs, see Notes
- 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
For the frosting & garnish
- 1¼ cups (10 oz) finely chopped dark chocolate, divided, vegan if desired
- ¾ cup full-fat coconut cream, chilled and drained of any coconut water
- 12 fresh strawberries
Instructions
For the strawberry jam
- In a saucepan, combine the strawberries and maple syrup. Cover and bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring frequently. After 5 minutes, when the mixture is starting to release juices, use a potato masher (or a fork) to lightly mash the strawberries.4 cups fresh strawberries, 2 Tbsp maple syrup
- Add the chia seeds and lemon juice and reduce the heat to medium-low. Continue cooking uncovered, stirring occasionally to prevent the bottom from scorching, for about 10 to 15 minutes or until the mixture has thickened and there are no big fruit chunks.1 Tbsp chia seeds, 1 lemon juiced
- The jam will continue to thicken as it cools. Let cool completely before using.
For the cupcakes
- Preheat oven to 350°F and line a cupcake pan with 12 cupcake liners.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the almond flour, tapioca flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, coconut sugar, and cacao powder. Whisk all dry ingredients together.2 cups (196g) blanched almond flour, ½ cup (57g) tapioca flour, ¾ tsp baking powder, ¾ tsp baking soda, 1½ tsp kosher salt, 1 cup coconut sugar, ⅔ cup (66g) cacao powder
- In a separate mixing bowl or large liquid measuring cup, whisk the milk, applesauce, coconut oil, and melted chocolate. If the coconut oil or chocolate firms up at all, warm the mixture for about 20 seconds to re-liquify the mixture. Whisk in the nut butter, eggs or flax eggs, and vanilla extract.½ cup (4 oz) non-dairy milk of choice, ⅓ cup (81g) unsweetened applesauce, ¼ cup (50g) refined coconut oil, ¼ cup (1.5 oz) dark chocolate, ¼ cup (64g) creamy almond or cashew butter, 1 large egg + 1 yolk room temperature or 2 flax eggs, 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
- Pour the wet ingredients into the mixing bowl with the dry ingredients and stir until fully combined.
- Divide the batter between the 12 cupcake liners; they’ll be about 2/3 full. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean and the top springs back when pressed. Let cool completely.
For the frosting
- Place 8 ounces finely chopped chocolate in a large mixing bowl, reserving 2 ounces to dip the strawberries in.1¼ cups (10 oz) finely chopped dark chocolate
- Scoop the coconut cream (leaving any liquid behind) into a liquid measuring cup or microwave-safe bowl. Microwave for 30 seconds, and then again in 10-second increments until the coconut cream starts to bubble. Pour the hot cream over the chocolate and let it sit for 5 minutes.¾ cup full-fat coconut cream
- Once the chocolate has had time to melt, stir until the chocolate/cream mixture is smooth and creamy.
- If the chocolate gets grainy at all, warm up additional coconut cream and stir in slowly until ganache is smooth.
- Let set at room temperature for a few hours, or place it in the fridge for about an hour to chill.
- When ready to frost (after filling with chia jam- see below), use an electric hand mixer or a stand mixer to whip into a fluffy frosting. These cupcakes have a rustic frosting, but this frosting can also be piped.
To assemble and garnish
- Once cupcakes are fully cool, core the cupcakes using a cupcake corer or a paring knife.
- Fill the cupcakes with the cool strawberry jam.
- Frost cupcakes with the chocolate ganache frosting as desired.
- Melt the remaining 2 ounces dark chocolate in the microwave for 30 seconds and stir until smooth. Dip the top part of the strawberry in the chocolate, and place on the cupcakes to garnish. Let chocolate firm up in the fridge, if desired, before serving.12 fresh strawberries
Notes
Make-Ahead & Storage
- Strawberry chia jam: Make up to 5 days ahead and store in a jar in the fridge.
- Cupcakes (unfilled and unfrosted): Keep well in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
- Ganache frosting: Make up to 3 days ahead and store in the fridge. Let it come to room temperature before re-whipping with a hand mixer when you’re ready to use it.
- Assembled cupcakes: Best within 24 hours, as the jam can slowly soften the cupcake base over time. They’ll keep in the fridge for up to 3 days, just let them come to room temperature before serving so the frosting softens back up.
- Chocolate-dipped strawberries: Save these for the day of. Strawberries release moisture as they sit, which can make the chocolate coating cloudy or cause it to slip. They only take a few minutes and the payoff of a fresh, glossy strawberry on top is absolutely worth it.
