Lemon Cupcakes! Need I say more?
Lemon cupcakes are the perfect Spring treat, right?
This lemon cupcake recipe is tangy, sweet, and has the perfect moist crumb.
Try our Strawberry Shortcake!
Lemon Cupcakes
This recipe makes 24 luscious cupcakes. So share with friends and neighbors. I sent them with my husband to share with his co-workers.
Center a rack in the oven to 350 degrees F.
Prepare cupcake tins by using cupcake liners or spray with non-stick cooking spray.
I changed up the recipe just a little to give these cupcakes more fresh lemon flavor. They are even better the next day, so if you have the time make them ahead.
Sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
Whisk together the milk and egg whites in a medium bowl.
Put the sugar and lemon zest in a mixer bowl or another large bowl and rub them together with your fingers until the sugar is moist and fragrant.
Add the butter and, working with the paddle or whisk attachment, or with a hand mixer, beat at medium speed for a full 3 minutes, until the butter and sugar are very light and fluffy.
Beat in the vanilla extract, lemon extract, and lemon juice, then add one-third of the flour mixture, still beating on medium speed.
Beat in half of the milk-egg mixture, then beat in half of the remaining dry ingredients until incorporated.
Check out our Meyer Lemon Bundt Cake recipe.
Add the rest of the milk and eggs, beating until the batter is homogeneous, then add the last of the dry ingredients. Scrape down the sides as needed.
Give the batter a good 2-minute beating to ensure that it is thoroughly mixed and well aerated. Place the batter into the muffin pan.
Bake for 18-22 minutes, or until the cupcakes are well risen and springy to the touch – a thin knife or wooden stick inserted into the centers should come out clean.
Cool completely on a wire rack.
To make the frosting: In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, thoroughly mix together the room temperature butter and cream cheese.
Add the lemon juice, zest, and salt and mix to combine. On low speed, add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time until you reach the desired spreading consistency.
To finish, frost the cooled cupcakes and serve.
Always a hit is our popular Monster Cookies!
Lemon Cupcakes Recipe
Lemon Cupcakes
Ingredients
For the cupcakes:
- 2 1/4 cups cake flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/4 cups buttermilk
- 4 large egg whites
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- lemon zest of two lemons
- 1/4 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice about 2 lemons
- 1 stick unsalted butter 8 tablespoons, at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon pure lemon extract
For the icing:
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter softened
- 4 oz cream cheese softened
- Juice and zest from 2 lemons
- Generous pinch of salt
- 4 cups sifted confectioner’s sugar
Instructions
Cupcakes
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Prepare cupcake tins by using liners or spray with non-stick cooking spray
- Sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Whisk together the milk and egg whites in a medium bowl.
- Put the sugar and lemon zest in a mixer bowl or another large bowl and rub them together with your fingers until the sugar is moist and fragrant. Add the butter and, working with the paddle or whisk attachment, or with a hand mixer, beat at medium speed for a full 3 minutes, until the butter and sugar are very light.
- Beat in the extracts and lemon juice, then add one-third of the flour mixture, still beating on medium speed. Beat in half of the milk-egg mixture, then beat in half of the remaining dry ingredients until incorporated.
- Add the rest of the milk and eggs, beating until the batter is homogeneous, then add the last of the dry ingredients.
- Give the batter a good 2-minute beating to ensure that it is thoroughly mixed and well aerated. Place the batter into the cupcake tins.
- Bake for 18-22 minutes, or until the cupcakes are well risen and springy to the touch – a thin knife inserted into the centers should come out clean. Cool on wire rack.
Icing
- In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, thoroughly mix together the butter and cream cheese. Add the lemon juice, zest, and salt and mix to combine. On low speed, add the confectioner’s sugar, one cup at a time until you reach the desired spreading consistency. To finish, frost the cooled cupcakes and serve.
Nutrition
Adapted from trialsinfood
Comments
Keri
January 15, 2016These look so yummy! Perfect for a spring party. I love a combination of sweet and tart.
Rebecca
January 16, 2016We love the flavor of lemon and also love cupcakes at our house so this is a win/win. Thanks for sharing.
DSTR
January 16, 2016Thank you for stopping by Rebecca!
Debbie Kitterman
January 16, 2016I absolutely love lemon anything – anytime – hmmm may have to make some of these for our superbowl party! thanks for sharing your post at #TGISaturdays
Tara Siudy (Little Miss Dexterous)
January 16, 2016These look SO light and fresh! Perfect for a dessert at a brunch! Pinning and sharing!
DSTR
January 17, 2016Thank you so much, Tara!
Sarah Anderson
January 16, 2016These look simply amazing!
DSTR
January 17, 2016Thank you, Sarah!
Stacey
January 18, 2016Yum thanks for sharing. I posted a lemon bread recipie for one of my posts today. I love the flavor of lemon its really good. Have a great day.
DSTR
January 18, 2016Thanks for stopping by, Stacey!
Colletta
January 18, 2016I’ve made Pink Lemonade Cupcakes before and they were delicious! I bet these are too 🙂 I hope you can stop by:
https://collettaskitchensink.blogspot.com/2016/01/make-it-monday-larksfoot-11816.html
Colletta
DSTR
January 18, 2016Colletta, thank you! I will definitely drop by.
Heather
January 19, 2016I love lemon anything! These sound so good!
DSTR
January 19, 2016Thank you, Heather!
Michelle
January 19, 2016These look divine. I just want to run my finger in that frosting. Glad you shared on Tuesday Talk today. Adding to my recipe file.
Crystal
January 19, 2016The frosting on the cake just looks so yummy! Thanks for sharing the recipe!
DSTR
January 20, 2016Thank you for stopping by, Crystal!
Danita Carr
January 19, 2016Yum! These look really good!! Pinning for later…:) #SmallVictories
DSTR
January 20, 2016Thank you, Danita!
Jess Powell (Babi a Fi)
January 20, 2016These look so lovely! (And are making me crave cake, which can only be a good thing! 🙂 #sharewithme
Amanda @ The Kolb Corner
January 20, 2016Lemon is my favorite! Looks yummy. Thank you for sharing at Merry Monday!
Sara at Handy Herbs
January 20, 2016These look delicious – lemon is my favourite flavour for cake, jam, tart – whatever – the tarter the better! But cupcakes and lemon drizzle drizzle are my absolute favourite. Will give this recipe a try 🙂 #Sharewithme
DSTR
January 20, 2016Thanks, Sara!
Catie: An imperfect mum
January 20, 2016What is better than cake and cake with a Citroen flavour is amazing! Can’t wait to try these.
DSTR
January 20, 2016Thank you, Catie!
Life as Mum
January 20, 2016Oh wow these looks PERFECT and delicious
DSTR
January 20, 2016Thank you!
Quirky Homemaker
January 20, 2016Yum! Lemon cupcakes sound so good right now!
DSTR
January 20, 2016Thanks you for coming by!
Cassandra
January 20, 2016these look absolutely amazing, found your recipe through the link party and decided to shared and pinned, keep making great food!
DSTR
January 20, 2016Thank you, Cassandra!
Laurie
January 20, 2016Thank you for sharing your lemon cupcake recipe with us at Brag About It! Pinned and tweeted 🙂
Anna M.
January 20, 2016Lemon in cupcakes, brilliant.
DSTR
January 21, 2016Thank you for coming by, Anna!
Christine | Mid-Life Croissant
January 21, 2016First of all, I love these sweet little lemony beauties. Second, you’ve helped me solve a major problem! I really want to become a better baker. One thing that’s holding me back is I just can’t have baked goods lying around the house all the time. I would be a house in no time flat as I have zero will power. I never thought to send them off with my husband to bring to work! Genius! Thanks for linking up at Saucy Saturdays.
DSTR
January 21, 2016I’m glad I could be of service, Christine! hehe I send most of my baked goods to his office or neighbors. They are too tempting to keep around the house.
Jennifer Dodrill @ All-In-One-Mom
January 21, 2016Your pictures are beautiful! I love lemon and these sound yummy. Pinned it!
DSTR
January 21, 2016Thank you so much, Jennifer! Still working on it but I’m learning more and more every day.
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January 21, 2016[…] Becky’s Favorite – Lemon Cupcakes […]
Suzi T
January 21, 2016These look fabulous. Have not had a cupcake in ages.
DSTR
January 22, 2016Thank you, Suzi!
From the Archives Friday! - We Three Crabs
January 21, 2016[…] Lemon Cupcakes, Maple Bacon Ice cream, Berry Oat Bars (GF), Slow Cooker Balsamic Chicken & Roasted Butternut Squash […]
Molly
January 22, 2016I love Lemon anything so this look like just my thing
Mollyxxx
DSTR
January 22, 2016Thanks, Molly!
Joanne Boulter
January 23, 2016Thank you for sharing your yummy cup cakes on SYC. Jo
DSTR
January 25, 2016Thank you, Joanne!
Jann Olson
January 23, 2016Oh these look delicious! Like you said, so refreshing for Spring. Thanks for sharing with SYC.
hugs,
Jann
Mrs. AOK
January 24, 2016Oh my!! My 13 year-old would LOVE these!! She loves lemon cake and cookies 🙂 I may have to make these for her.
Thanks for sharing with us at #MMBH!
xoxo
Life Loving
January 24, 2016I love lemon cupcakes and these look so very good. Cream cheese icing is one of my favorite toppings. It’s hard to imagine that these wouldn’t taste amazing. Yum!
Sally @ Life Loving
#LifeLovingLinkie
April J Harris
January 25, 2016Your Lemon Cupcakes look beautiful! Love the cream cheese icing and the cake would be so moist with the buttermilk too. Pinned and shared. Thank you for bringing this little taste of spring to the Hearth and Soul Hop.
DSTR
January 25, 2016Thanks, April!
Walking on Sunshine Recipes
January 25, 2016They look delicious. I love lemon flavored desserts. Thank you for sharing with Delicious Dishes Recipe Party! Hope to see you again this week!
Emily
January 25, 2016These look amazing – almost too pretty to eat! Thanks for sharing!
DSTR
January 26, 2016Thank you, Emily!
Erin @ Nourishing My Scholar
January 25, 2016I love lemon flavored desserts! I’m totally making these this weekend! Pinning! #ShareWithMe
DSTR
January 26, 2016Thanks, Erin! I hope you enjoy the cupcakes!
Jenny
January 26, 2016Oh my goodness these look absolutely amazing I have a soft spot for lemon and cupcakes right up my street. Great food styling too. Thanks for the continual support of my linky and blog as it gets quieter and quieter I am hoping to turn it around and save SWM. #sharewithme
DSTR
January 26, 2016Thank you, Jenny! I will keeping coming and give it a share!
Sharon @ Elizabeth & Co.
January 26, 2016Oh I love all things lemon! These look great. Featured at Be Inspired this morning. Thanks so much for sharing!
DSTR
January 26, 2016Thank you so much, Sharon!
Miz Helen
January 26, 2016Your Lemon Cupcakes look amazing! Hope you are having a great day and thanks so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday.
Come Back Soon!
Miz Helen
DSTR
January 26, 2016Thank you, Miz Helen!
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January 26, 2016[…] Lemon Cupcakes from Don’t Sweat the Recipe […]
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Anne @ Domesblissity
January 27, 2016Hi and welcome to Thriving on Thursdays linky party. Thanks so much for linking up last week. Your lemon cupcakes look so gorgeous. I want to eat one right now. I’m featuring your post at tomorrow’s party. Thanks for coming and I hope to see you again.
Anne @ Domesblissity
DSTR
January 27, 2016Thank you so much, Anne!
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January 27, 2016[…] These Lemon Cupcakes from Don’t Sweat the Recipe are a great way to prepare for Spring! […]
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January 27, 2016[…] Lemon Cupcakes by Don’t Sweat the Recipe […]
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