DRAGON FRUIT CUPCAKES


Dragon Fruit Cupcakes are a fun way to turn a familiar vanilla cupcake into something colorful and unexpected. Freeze-dried dragon fruit powder adds a beautiful pink color and a light fruity flavor to both the cupcakes and the buttercream frosting.

Since I love freeze-drying fruit at home, I'm always looking for new ways to use the fruit powders I have on hand. These cupcakes are an easy way to put freeze-dried dragon fruit to use, and their pretty pink frosting makes them perfect for parties, showers, or anytime you want something a little different.

CUPCAKE INGREDIENTS
  • 1 box vanilla cake mix or favorite vanilla cake recipe
  • Ingredients listed on box (usually eggs, oil, water)
  • 2–3 tablespoons freeze-dried dragon fruit powder
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

CUPCAKE DIRECTIONS

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F, or the temperature directed on your cake mix package. Line a muffin pan with cupcake liners.
  2. Prepare the vanilla cake mix according to the package directions.
  3. Add 2 tablespoons dragon fruit powder and the vanilla extract. Mix just until combined. For a stronger fruit flavor and deeper color, add up to 1 additional tablespoon of dragon fruit powder.
  4. Divide the batter evenly among the cupcake liners, filling each about ⅔ to ¾ full.
  5. Bake according to the package directions, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean.
  6. Allow the cupcakes to cool in the pan for about 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.


FROSTING INGREDIENTS
  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
  • 3½–4 cups powdered sugar
  • 2–3 tablespoons freeze-dried dragon fruit powder
  • 1/4 cup heavy cream or milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Pinch of salt

FROSTING DIRECTIONS

  • Beat the softened butter for 2–3 minutes, until smooth, creamy, and fluffy.
  • Gradually add 3½ cups powdered sugar, mixing on low speed until incorporated.
  • Add 2 tablespoons dragon fruit powder, vanilla extract, salt, and 2 tablespoons heavy cream or milk.
  • Beat for 2–3 minutes, until the frosting is light and fluffy.
  • For a deeper color or stronger dragon fruit flavor, beat in up to 1 additional tablespoon of dragon fruit powder.
  • If the frosting is too thick, add additional cream or milk 1 teaspoon at a time. If it's too soft for piping, add additional powdered sugar a little at a time until it reaches the desired consistency.
  • Pipe or spread the frosting onto the completely cooled cupcakes.

    • Yield: About 24 cupcakes if you're using a standard box of cake mix.


 Print Recipe

DRAGONFRUIT CUPCAKES



CUPCAKE INGREDIENTS
  • 1 box vanilla cake mix or favorite vanilla cake recipe
  • Ingredients listed on box (usually eggs, oil, water)
  • 2–3 tablespoons freeze-dried dragon fruit powder
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

CUPCAKE DIRECTIONS

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F, or the temperature directed on your cake mix package. Line a muffin pan with cupcake liners.
  2. Prepare the vanilla cake mix according to the package directions.
  3. Add 2 tablespoons dragon fruit powder and the vanilla extract. Mix just until combined. For a stronger fruit flavor and deeper color, add up to 1 additional tablespoon of dragon fruit powder.
  4. Divide the batter evenly among the cupcake liners, filling each about ⅔ to ¾ full.
  5. Bake according to the package directions, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean.
  6. Allow the cupcakes to cool in the pan for about 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.
FROSTING INGREDIENTS
  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
  • 3½–4 cups powdered sugar
  • 2–3 tablespoons freeze-dried dragon fruit powder
  • 1/4 cup heavy cream or milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Pinch of salt

FROSTING DIRECTIONS

  • Beat the softened butter for 2–3 minutes, until smooth, creamy, and fluffy.
  • Gradually add 3½ cups powdered sugar, mixing on low speed until incorporated.
  • Add 2 tablespoons dragon fruit powder, vanilla extract, salt, and 2 tablespoons heavy cream or milk.
  • Beat for 2–3 minutes, until the frosting is light and fluffy.
  • For a deeper color or stronger dragon fruit flavor, beat in up to 1 additional tablespoon of dragon fruit powder.
  • If the frosting is too thick, add additional cream or milk 1 teaspoon at a time. If it's too soft for piping, add additional powdered sugar a little at a time until it reaches the desired consistency.
  • Pipe or spread the frosting onto the completely cooled cupcakes.

    • Yield: About 24 cupcakes if you're using a standard box of cake mix.