Name: Mango Strawberry Sunset Cupcakes Recipe
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 50 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour; 1 ½ tsp baking powder; ¼ tsp salt; ½ cup unsalted butter (softened); 1 cup granulated sugar; 2 large eggs; 1 tsp vanilla extract; ½ cup milk; ¼ cup mango purée (fresh or canned); ¼ cup strawberry jam; 1 cup unsalted butter (softened); 3 cups powdered sugar; 2 tbsp heavy cream (or milk); 1 tsp vanilla extract; 2 tbsp mango purée; 2 tbsp strawberry purée

If you’re craving something sweet, bright, and bursting with fresh fruit flavors, let me introduce you to the Mango Strawberry Sunset Cupcakes Recipe. These cupcakes capture the vibrant hues and tropical tastes of a sunset in every bite, making them perfect for summer gatherings, birthday parties, or just a cheerful treat any time you want to brighten your day.

What really makes this Mango Strawberry Sunset Cupcakes Recipe stand out for me is the way the mango and strawberry purées play together—not just in the batter but also in the frosting swirl, giving it that gorgeous ombré look. Plus, the surprise of strawberry jam hidden inside each cupcake adds a luscious, fruity punch that my friends and family absolutely ask for again and again.

Ingredients You’ll Need

I love how these ingredients blend classic cake components with fresh fruit purées to create something both familiar and exciting. When shopping, fresh mangoes and ripe strawberries really elevate the flavor, but canned or frozen can work too if you’re pressed for time or out of season.

All-purpose flour: The base for a tender crumb, be sure to measure it correctly by spooning and leveling to avoid dense cupcakes.
Baking powder: Helps your cupcakes rise to fluffy perfection.
Salt: Enhances all the flavors, don’t skip it!
Unsalted butter: Softened butter creams with sugar beautifully, giving you the right texture and flavor without extra salt.
Granulated sugar: Balances the tartness of the fruit purées.
Eggs: Bind everything and add richness.
Vanilla extract: Adds warmth to complement the fruity flavors.
Milk: Keeps the batter moist and tender.
Mango purée: Fresh or canned, gives that tropical sweetness and stunning color.
Strawberry jam: The secret treasure inside each cupcake for a delightful surprise.
Powdered sugar: For the frosting’s smooth sweetness.
Heavy cream (or milk): Lightens the frosting to creamy perfection.

Variations

I always like to make this Mango Strawberry Sunset Cupcakes Recipe my own depending on the season or the occasion. Feel free to play around with the fruit purées or fillings to keep things fresh and exciting!

Variation: Swap out strawberry jam for raspberry or passion fruit jelly to give the cupcakes a tangier twist. I tried passion fruit once, and the tropical zing was incredible!
Dairy-free: Use coconut oil instead of butter and a plant-based milk for an allergy-friendly version that still tastes luscious.
Colorful frosting: Use gel food coloring to make the sunset swirl even more vibrant if fresh fruit purées aren’t available.
Mini cupcakes: Perfect for parties or snack size – just reduce baking time by a few minutes and watch closely.

How to Make Mango Strawberry Sunset Cupcakes Recipe

Step 1: Prep and Mix Your Dry Ingredients

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining your muffin tin with cupcake liners. Then, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl. This ensures your leavening is evenly distributed, so each cupcake rises beautifully.

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar

In a separate bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter with the granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step is crucial because the more air you incorporate here, the lighter your cupcakes will be. I usually use an electric mixer and it takes about 3-4 minutes.

Step 3: Blend Wet Ingredients

Add eggs one at a time to the butter-sugar mixture, beating well after each addition, then stir in the vanilla extract. Finally, mix in the milk and mango purée. The mango not only adds flavor but also moisture, which makes these cupcakes uniquely luscious.

Step 4: Combine and Bake

Gradually add the flour mixture into the wet ingredients, folding just until combined—don’t overmix or your cupcakes might turn out tough. Fill each cupcake liner about ¾ full. Bake for 18-20 minutes until golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let them cool completely before filling.

Step 5: Add Strawberry Jam Filling

Once cooled, carefully cut out a small hole/center in each cupcake with a small knife or cupcake corer. Spoon in about a teaspoon of strawberry jam into each cavity for that surprise fruity burst. Put the cut-out pieces back on top or just leave it as is if you prefer.

Step 6: Make the Sunset Swirl Frosting

Beat softened butter until creamy, then add powdered sugar gradually, mixing until fluffy. Stir in vanilla extract and heavy cream (or milk) to reach your desired consistency. Divide the frosting into three bowls: keep one plain, mix mango purée into the second for a sunny orange tint, and strawberry purée into the third for a sweet pink hue.

Step 7: Pipe Beautiful Sunset Swirls

The trick to that stunning “sunset swirl” look is to place each color side-by-side in a piping bag fitted with your favorite tip. When you pipe, the colors come out together, mimicking a glowing sunset. Practice a few swirls on parchment paper first if it’s your first time!

How to Serve Mango Strawberry Sunset Cupcakes Recipe

The image shows a close-up of a cupcake with one layer of golden cake that has small red spots inside. On top, there is a tall swirl of creamy frosting with three colors: white at the bottom, light pink in the middle, and pale orange on the top, creating a smooth, soft texture. In the background, two more similar cupcakes are slightly blurred. The setting is on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

I love topping each cupcake with a tiny fresh slice of strawberry or a small wedge of mango—it adds both an extra pop of color and a hint of fresh fruit aroma. Sometimes a little edible flower petals work wonders for parties and really jazz up the presentation.

Side Dishes

These cupcakes pair wonderfully with a light fruit salad or a chilled glass of lemonade or iced tea to keep your refreshment game strong. For brunches, try serving them alongside yogurt parfaits that echo the fruity flavors.

Creative Ways to Present

For birthdays or special celebrations, I’ve arranged these Mango Strawberry Sunset Cupcakes in a circular pattern on a large platter, creating a gradient from pink to yellow and white frosting. It’s like serving a real sunset—people always comment on how pretty it looks before they even take a bite!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover Mango Strawberry Sunset Cupcakes in an airtight container in the refrigerator to keep the frosting fresh and prevent the jam from drying out. They usually last well for 2-3 days this way. Just be sure to bring them to room temperature before serving for the best flavor experience.

Freezing

If you want to freeze these cupcakes, I recommend freezing them unfrosted. Wrap each cupcake tightly in plastic wrap and place in a freezer-safe container. When you’re ready, thaw overnight in the fridge, then add fresh frosting and filling. This way, the flavors and textures stay much fresher.

Reheating

To enjoy refrigerated or thawed cupcakes, let them sit out for about 20 minutes to take the chill off, which really helps the flavors and frosting taste their best. If you want them slightly warm, zap them in the microwave for 10-15 seconds but be careful not to melt the frosting.

FAQs

Can I use fresh fruit instead of purée for this Mango Strawberry Sunset Cupcakes Recipe?

Yes, you can finely mash or blend fresh mango and strawberries to make purées. Make sure to strain out extra juice to avoid thinning the batter or frosting too much. Fresh purées bring a brighter, fresher taste, but canned or frozen purées work well too.
Is it okay to substitute strawberry jam with another fruit?

Absolutely! Raspberry, apricot, or even passion fruit jam can make delicious fillings. Each offers a slightly different flavor profile, so feel free to experiment to find your personal favorite within the Mango Strawberry Sunset Cupcakes Recipe framework.
How do I achieve the perfect sunset frosting swirl?

Place each colored frosting side-by-side in the same piping bag—either by spooning or with smaller piping bags inserted together in a larger one. This allows the colors to pipe out together. Practice on parchment paper before frosting the cupcakes to get a feel for the technique.
Can I make these cupcakes ahead of time for a party?

Yes! You can bake the cupcakes a day or two in advance, store them airtight in the fridge, and frost them the morning of the party for the freshest results. If you want to prep even earlier, freeze unfrosted cupcakes and thaw as needed.

Final Thoughts

I’ve genuinely enjoyed every time I whipped up the Mango Strawberry Sunset Cupcakes Recipe—there’s something about those sweet, sunny fruity notes that cheers everyone up instantly. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just getting started, this recipe is a fun and rewarding project that yields show-stopping, delicious results. I can’t wait for you to try it and make it your own—trust me, these cupcakes have a special way of turning any ordinary day into a little celebration!