Description
Delightful homemade lemon cupcakes with vanilla frosting bring zesty citrus charm to classic desserts. Perfectly balanced flavors and creamy texture invite you to savor each sweet, tangy bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 cups (360 ml) all-purpose flour
- 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 0.5 cup (113 g) unsalted butter (room temperature)
- 0.25 cup (60 ml) sour cream
- 0.25 cup (60 ml) whole milk
- 2 lemons (zest and juice)
- 1.5 tsp baking powder
- 0.5 tsp baking soda
- 0.25 tsp salt
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prepare the oven at 350°F (175°C) and arrange cupcake liners in a muffin tin.
- Combine flour, leavening agents, and salt in a mixing bowl, then set aside.
- Cream butter and sugar until the mixture becomes airy and pale, incorporating eggs individually.
- Blend in sour cream, milk, zesty lemon essence, citrus juice, and vanilla extract into the butter mixture.
- Fold dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, stirring gently until just incorporated.
- Distribute batter evenly across cupcake liners, filling each about two-thirds full.
- Bake for 18-22 minutes, checking doneness with a toothpick that should emerge clean when inserted.
- Allow cupcakes to cool completely on a wire rack before frosting.
- Whip butter until smooth and creamy for the frosting base.
- Gradually incorporate powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and heavy cream, blending until the frosting reaches a silky, spreadable consistency.
- Generously spread or pipe the vanilla frosting onto the cooled cupcakes.
Notes
- Check ingredient temperatures by letting butter, eggs, and sour cream sit at room temperature for even mixing and better texture.
- Zest lemons carefully to avoid bitter white pith, using only the bright yellow outer layer for maximum citrus flavor.
- Avoid overmixing batter to prevent tough cupcakes, stop mixing once dry ingredients are just incorporated.
- Store frosted cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for longer freshness.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 210 kcal
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 120 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg