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We almost always have lemons in the house – they’re just one of those items I impulsively swipe up every time we hit the grocery store. They’re so affordable year round, and I love the bright, sunshiny kick their juice and zest add to… well, everything! So naturally, when I discovered we had an absurd amount of lemons sitting around the apartment (19 to be exact!), I immediately knew I had to make you guys some light and lovely lemon cupcakes! It just made sense 😉
For this fun recipe I added lemon juice and zest to the cupcake batter, as well as the buttercream – for a luscious lemon cupcake you’re sure to love! The cupcakes are soft, tender, and a million miles away from dry; the buttercream is light, fluffy, and laced with a perky lemon kick sure to please. We gifted these to our neighbors as well as the folks who run our favorite coffee shop, and it was applause all around – these cupcakes are winners!
I added extra lemon zest to the top of each cupcake before serving – for an extra kick of color and zing – but it’s not a necessary step 😉 Just a fun one! xoxo
Light and Lovely Lemon Cupcakes with Lemon Buttercream
Ingredients
For the cupcakes:
- 1 3/4 cups cake flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup sour cream (I used full fat)
- 1/2 cup milk (I used whole)
- 2 large egg whites, at room temperature
- 1 stick (4 ounces) unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- Zest of one lemon (about 2 teaspoons)
For the Lemon Buttercream:
- 2 sticks unsalted butter (very soft)
- 4-5 cups confectioners sugar
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees (F). Line a 12 mold muffin tin with paper liners; set aside.
- In a medium bowl combine flour, baking powder, and salt; mix well to combine. Set aside.
- In a large measuring cup or bowl combine sour cream, milk, and egg whites; mix well to combine. Set aside.
- In a large bowl or stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment beat melted butter and sugar on medium speed until well combined; about 2 minutes. Add lemon juice and lemon zest and beat for another minute on medium speed. Slowly add the flour mixture to the butter/sugar combination, beating until just combined. Add in sour cream/milk/egg combo and beat on low until *just combined. Over-mixing will result in a dryer/denser cake.
- Divide the cupcake batter evenly into the 12 molds, then place the pan in the oven. Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean. Allow cupcakes to cool completely before topping with frosting.
To make the Lemon Buttercream:
- Beat butter until light and fluffy. Slowly, add 4 cups of sugar, beating on low until well combined. Add in lemon juice, zest, and cream; beat until combined. Add additional confectioners sugar as needed, stopping when you've reached your desired consistency. Place frosting in piping bag, or simply slather onto cooled cupcakes.
Love that your images appear on Bloglovin now as it makes sure I always click through and read the post! These cupcakes look lovely and your writing style is ace 🙂
Light and lovely indeed, lemon cupcakes are the best and I want 3 of these beauties!
I just love how light and fluffy these look! So perfectly paired with the bright lemony flavor!
Your lemon cupcakes look so cute! And so yummy!
Thank you! xo
Would these cupcakes work for a cake as well? I need both.
Thanks
Haley
Hi Haley. I’m sure you could bake this as a cake, but I’ve never tried. If you do make it as a cake, be sure to adjust the bake time as a cake needs to bake longer. Good luck 🙂
Lemon is my absolute FAVVVVVVORITE flavor when it comes to desserts! Love these little cakes, and they totally look light and lovely. 🙂 P.S. Loveeeeeeeeeeeeeee the new site!!!!!!!!
these are so perfect! definitely craving one right now.. love a lemon cupcake, especially when they’re this light and fluffy. yum!
Such pretty cupcakes, Ashley. Almost too pretty to eat!!
Those look delicious! I love lemon desserts like this 🙂
There are always lemons in my kitchen as well. Lemon cupcakes are my favorite! Great recipe and the cupcakes look so cute!
Thank you so much, babe! Yay for lemons 🙂