Strawberry Crunch Cupcakes

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Prepare a standard 12-count cupcake pan with cupcake liners and set aside.

Step 2

In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt until evenly combined.

Step 3

In a separate mixing bowl, use an electric hand mixer or stand mixer to beat the softened butter, oil, and sugar together until smooth and fluffy.

Step 4

Add the eggs and vanilla extract and mix until smooth and well combined.

Step 5

While mixing on low speed, slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. When the dry ingredients are halfway combined, add the milk and continue mixing until the cupcake batter is smooth. Don’t over-mix!

Step 6

Use a rubber spatula to gently fold in the chopped strawberries until they are evenly spread throughout the batter.

Step 7

Use a large spoon or cookie scoop to transfer the cupcake batter into the prepared liners, filling each about 2⁄3 to ¾ of the way full.

Step 8

Bake for 16-18 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs. Let the cupcakes cool in the pan for 5-10 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack to cool completely.

Step 9

Use an electric mixer or stand mixer to beat the cream cheese, softened butter, and vanilla extract together until smooth, creamy, and fluffy.

Step 10

Gradually add the powdered sugar until a thick, pipeable frosting forms. You can adjust the consistency as necessary by adding more sugar or water.

Step 11

Add the Oreos and freeze dried strawberries to a food processor or blender. Gently pulse the mixture until it becomes thick, coarse crumbs, but not too fine that it becomes powder.

Step 12

Add in the melted butter and pulse a few times to incorporate it with the mixture. Stop pulsing when a nice coarse strawberry crumble forms.

Step 13

Once the cupcakes have cooled completely, use a piping bag with a star tip to pipe the cream cheese frosting on top of the cupcakes. You can spread the frosting with a knife if you don't have a piping bag.

Step 14

Sprinkle each cupcake generously with the strawberry crunch topping and garnish with a fresh strawberry. Enjoy!