Step 1: Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Cupcake Liners

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a muffin tin with cupcake liners. This ensures your cupcakes bake evenly and don’t stick.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.

Step 3: Cream the Butter and Sugar

In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes). This helps create a tender crumb in your cupcakes.

Step 4: Add the Wet Ingredients

Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Then mix in the vanilla extract, milk, and sour cream until fully incorporated.

Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.

Step 6: Prepare the Strawberry Batter

Divide the batter into two portions. In one portion, mix in the strawberry puree and a few drops of red food coloring to enhance the color.

Step 7: Swirl the Batter

Spoon 1 tablespoon of vanilla batter into each cupcake liner, followed by 1 tablespoon of strawberry batter. Use a toothpick to gently swirl the two batters together.

Step 8: Bake the Cupcakes

Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow the cupcakes to cool completely before frosting.

Step 9: Prepare the Frosting

While the cupcakes are cooling, beat the cream cheese and butter together until smooth. Add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, followed by the vanilla extract. Add the heavy cream a little at a time until you reach the desired consistency.

Step 10: Make the Strawberry Crunch Topping

In a food processor, pulse the golden Oreos and freeze-dried strawberries until crumbly. Transfer to a bowl and mix in the melted butter until the mixture is slightly sticky.

Step 11: Frost the Cupcakes

Transfer the frosting to a piping bag fitted with a star tip and pipe swirls onto each cooled cupcake.

Step 12: Add the Crunch Topping

Sprinkle the strawberry crunch topping generously over the frosting, pressing it lightly to adhere.

Step 13: Garnish and Serve

For an extra special touch, garnish each cupcake with a fresh strawberry half and a drizzle of strawberry sauce.