Description
Sunshine-inspired lemon cupcakes with vanilla frosting bring zesty comfort to classic dessert lovers. Citrus notes blend perfectly with creamy frosting, creating a delightful treat you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups (190 grams) all-purpose flour
- 1 cup (200 grams) sugar
- 1/2 cup (113 grams) unsalted butter, softened
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) milk
Flavoring Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Leavening and Seasoning Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Prepare the oven by heating to 350F (175C) and arrange paper liners in a cupcake tin.
- Combine flour, baking powder, and salt in a mixing bowl, whisking thoroughly to eliminate any lumps.
- Using an electric mixer, blend butter and sugar until the mixture becomes pale and airy, creating a light texture.
- Incorporate eggs individually into the butter mixture, ensuring each is fully integrated before adding the next.
- Infuse the batter with bright citrus notes by mixing in fresh lemon juice, fragrant lemon zest, and pure vanilla extract.
- Gradually fold dry ingredients into the wet mixture, alternating with milk to maintain a silky, smooth consistency.
- Distribute the batter evenly among cupcake liners, filling each approximately three-quarters full for optimal rising.
- Place the cupcake tin in the preheated oven and bake for 18-20 minutes, checking doneness with a toothpick that should emerge clean.
- Allow cupcakes to cool completely on a wire rack, ensuring they reach room temperature before frosting.
- Create a luxurious frosting by whipping butter and powdered sugar until achieving a creamy, smooth texture.
- Enhance the frosting with vanilla extract and heavy cream, beating until it becomes light and fluffy.
- Generously spread the vanilla frosting over the cooled cupcakes, creating elegant swirls or peaks as desired.
Notes
- Zest the lemons before juicing to maximize flavor extraction and ensure vibrant citrus notes throughout the cupcakes.
- Use room temperature ingredients like eggs, butter, and milk to create a smoother, more uniform batter that rises evenly.
- Avoid overmixing the batter to prevent tough, dense cupcakes; stop mixing as soon as the ingredients are just combined.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with a high-quality gluten-free flour blend that includes xanthan gum for better texture.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 193 kcal
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 116 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 27 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg