Best Lemon Cupcake Recipe (2024)

Our Easy Lemon Cupcakes Recipe starts with real lemon juice and zest for an intense lemony flavor. This is a shortcut recipe you're going to adore!

Mr. Juggling Act's family is full of great cooks, and get-togethers are always a treat. One of his aunts makes an amazingly moist and delicious lemon bundt cake that will charm even those who aren't big lemon lovers. These tender cupcakes are based on her incredible recipe.

🧂 Ingredients

• butter
• granulated sugar
• eggs
• pure vanilla extract
• all-purpose flour
• baking powder
• salt
• milk
• lemons
• powdered sugar
• yellow food coloring (optional)

🔪Instructions

This is meant to be a brief overview of the recipe. For step-by-step instructions and a full printable recipe card with ingredients, please scroll down to the teal box below or Jump to Recipe.

1. First, preheat the oven to 350-degrees F.
2. Add cupcake liners to a 12-count muffin pan and set aside.
3. In an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream together to the butter and sugar on medium-high for about 2-3 minutes.
4. Add the eggs and vanilla and beat until incorporated into the butter and sugar mixture.
5. Scrape down the bowl with a spoonula and set aside.
6. In another mixing bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder and salt.
7. After that, gently fold the butter mixture into the flour mixture.
8. Next, mix in the milk, lemon zest and lemon juice and stir to combine.
9. Take care not to overmix!
10. Spoon the lemon cupcake batter into the prepared muffin pan.
11. Bake the cupcakes for 18-22 minutes until a tester inserted into the middle comes out clean.
12. Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely before frosting.

How to Make the Best Lemon Frosting

1. In a stand mixer, cream together the butter and lemon zest and juice.
2. Set the mixer to medium and add in the powdered sugar one cup at a time.
3. Continue until all the sugar has been incorporated.
4. Add 1-2 drops of yellow food coloring (if desired) and mix to combine.
5. Add the lemon frosting to a pastry bag fitted with a star tip and pipe onto cooled cupcakes.

Equipment

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• Muffin Tin - 12 Count
• Stand Mixer
• Spoonula
• Liquid Measuring Cup
• Dry Measuring Cups
• Measuring Spoons

Decorating Cupcakes

I love getting creative with my cupcake decorations, and so does Miss Olivia. She really loves to add lots of sprinkles, especially. I like using a simple star tip for a pretty swirl. A lemon wheel looks beautiful but should be added just before serving. You can also decorate with edible flowers or candy lemon wedges.

⏲️ Storage

Store cupcakes at room temperature in an airtight container for 3-4 days. If it is very hot, place the container in your refrigerator. (These are my favorite airtight containers.)

📖 Variations

This isn't just the best lemon cupcake recipe, it's a great base to have in your recipe box. Here are some other ways you can use it:

• Mini Cupcakes - bake for 11-13 minutes until a tester comes out clean.
• Layer Cake - double the recipe and bake in 3 9-inch cake pans for 22-26 minutes until a tester comes out clean.

More Lemon Desserts

• Lemon Poppyseed Linzer Cookies - these sandwich cookies look fancy, but are so simple to make!
• Lemon Zucchini Bread - these are full of flavor and make great gifts.
• Raspberry Lemon Pull-Apart Rolls - these make a deliciously sweet addition to any brunch menu.
• How to Make Lemon Cake - if you've never made lemon cake; start here!

😋 Similar Recipes

More Lemon Recipes

📋 Best Lemon Cupcake

Moist and fluffy lemon cupcakes are less than an hour away with this amazingly easy recipe. If you'd prefer a more traditional lemon dessert - try my Lemon Bread with Lemon Glaze - it's sure to please.