Perfect Lemon Cupcakes are incredibly moist and bursting with freshly squeezed lemon juice and zest. The lemon flavor continues in the buttercream frosting, also made with more freshly squeezed lemons!
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Keyword lemon cupcakes
Prep Time 20 minutesminutes
Cook Time 18 minutesminutes
Total Time 38 minutesminutes
Servings 8jumbo cupcakes
Author Sue Ringsdorf
Ingredients
For the cupcakes:
1/2cupunsalted butter- melted and slightly cooled
1largeegg
3/4cupbuttermilk
6oz.lemon yogurt- use any brand
1teaspoonvanilla- I use Watkins Vanilla
5Tablespoonsfresh lemon juice- freshly squeezed
2teaspoonslemon zest
1 3/4cupsall-purpose flour
3/4cupsugar
1teaspoonbaking soda
1/2teaspoonbaking powder
1/2teaspoonsalt
For the buttercream frosting:
3/4cupunsalted butter (1.5 sticks)- softened to room temperature
3Tablespoonsfresh lemon juice- freshly squeezed
1teaspoonlemon zest
3cupspowdered sugar
Instructions
For the cupcakes:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a 6-cup jumbo cupcake pan plus two more cups - with jumbo cupcake liners (four will be empty).
Mix the dry ingredients (flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt) in a medium bowl. Set aside.
In a separate bowl, mix together the melted (and cooled) butter, egg, buttermilk, yogurt, vanilla, freshly squeezed lemon juice, and zest. Add to dry ingredients and mix to just combined.
Fill cupcake liners with mixture, filling 2/3 full. Do NOT over-fill!
Bake for 18-22 minutes, or until toothpick comes out clean when inserted. Remove cupcakes to cooling racks.
For the buttercream frosting:
Using a handheld mixer, beat the butter until creamy, about two minutes, Add fresh lemon juice, zest, and powdered sugar, and mix on high speed for two more minutes, until nice and fluffy.
Using a decorating kit, pipe frosting onto cooled cupcakes.
Notes
If you make regular sized cupcakes, this recipe will make approximately 10-12 cupcakes. Baking time should be decreased, however.These cupcakes should be stored, covered in the refrigerator. To serve, let sit on countertop to come to room temperature. They will stay fresh up to three - four days.