Lemon Strawberry Cupcakes

Anybody that knows me knows that I have an insatiable sweet tooth! Whether it be ice cream, cake, cookies, pudding…I’m in. Often times, I will look through the pantry (and who are we joking, the freezer and fridge as well…) in search of a sweet treat, but nothing particularly stands out. So I start to think, is there anything else? And that is when the leftover lemon from last night’s dinner caught my eye. Hmm, lemon strawberry cupcakes sound quite appetizing!

When life gives you lemons…!

As y’all will see, we always have a random assortment of fruits and vegetables laying around our kitchen. Our meals range across a multitude of cultures, but one ingredient remains a staple throughout: lemons. This one little fruit is an incredibly versatile ingredient that enhances both savory and sweet dishes with its bright, tangy flavor. In savory cooking, the acidity of lemons can elevate a wide array of dishes, from a splash of lemon juice in a creamy pasta sauce to a tangy marinade for grilled chicken or fish. Lemon zest on the other hand adds a refreshing burst of citrus to salads, soups, and stir-fries. When it comes to sweets, lemons shine with their vibrant flavor and color. The tartness of lemons strike a delightful balance with the sweetness of desserts, creating a delightful contrast. These lemon cupcakes embody this harmony – not too sweet, not too tart, just right 🙂

But who wants just one note in a dessert? While searching through the fridge for a snack at the beginning of this adventure, my eyes passed over our small collection of purees. Most notably, a strawberry puree. An iconic pairing of strawberries and lemon is a match made in heaven! So why not incorporate the strawberry puree into the simple frosting to make these decadent and bright lemon strawberry cupcakes!

HOW DO YOU BAKE THESE LEMON STRAWBERRY CUPCAKES?

Lemon Strawberry Cupcakes

Course: DessertCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy

Servings

12

servings

Prep time

20

minutes

Cooking time

22

minutes

Calories

306

kcal

These lemon cupcakes with a strawberry frosting are an easy way to experience the brightness of spring any time of the year! One of my favorite parts of this recipe is the ease in serving number customization! No matter if you’re craving just 6 sweet treats for the family, or 24 to share at an event, this recipe will work wonders 🙂

Ingredients

• Lemon Cupcakes

• 1/2 cup butter (room temperature)

• 1 cup granulated sugar

• 2 large eggs

• 1 lemon (zest and juice)

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• 1 1/2 cup all-purpose flour

• 1 tsp baking powder

• 1/4 tsp salt

• 1/2 cup milk

• Strawberry Frosting

• 1/2 cup butter (room temperature)

• 1 1/2 cup powdered sugar

• 2 Tbsp strawberry puree

Directions

• Lemon Cupcakes
• Preheat the oven to 375°F
• Line a muffin tin with 12 cupcake liners (disposable or reusable!)
• To a stand mixer with the flat beater attachment, add the butter and granulated sugar. Beat until well incorporated, then add the eggs, one at a time. Once homogenous, stir in the lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla extract.
• In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking powder and salt.
• Slowly, mix in half of the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients before adding half of the milk. Once integrated, add in the remaining dry ingredients followed by the remainder of the milk.
  
• Increase the speed of the mixer to a higher setting, and allow for the batter to become fluffy (~3 min).
• Divide batter evenly across the 12 cupcake liners.
• Bake for 20 minutes (rotate the pan 180° halfway through) or until a toothpick inserted in the center of a cupcake comes out clean.
• Allow to cool on a wire rack completely!
• Strawberry Frosting
• To a stand mixer with the whisk attachment, begin to cream the butter.
• Add the strawberry puree and beat until well incorporated.
• Slowly mix in the powdered sugar, stirring on low, until smooth and fluffy (~4 min).
• Pipe the frosting onto the completely cooled cupcakes and enjoy!

Notes

• The strawberry puree could also be swapped for any other fruit puree (ie blueberry, raspberry, pomegranate) or cream of coconut!