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Lemon Cupcakes Recipe

Lemon Cupcakes

Indulge in the delightful taste of homemade Lemon Cupcakes, a perfect treat for any celebration or a simple sweet craving. These light and fluffy cupcakes are infused with fresh lemon juice and zest, delivering a tangy-sweet flavor that will impress your guests. Topped with creamy frosting or enjoyed plain, these versatile desserts fit any occasion, from birthday parties to afternoon teas. Easy to make with pantry staples, this lemon cupcake recipe is sure to become a favorite in your dessert repertoire.

  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: Approximately 12 cupcakes 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ cup oil (canola/vegetable)
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs (room temperature)
  • ⅓ cup fresh lemon juice (about 2 lemons)
  • 4 tsp lemon zest (about 2 lemons)
  • ½ cup buttermilk
  • For frosting: 8 oz cream cheese, 1 ½ cups powdered sugar, and heavy cream

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (or 400°F for high altitude) and line cupcake pans with paper liners.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt; set aside.
  3. In a large bowl, mix oil and sugar until combined. Add eggs one at a time, followed by lemon juice and zest.
  4. Gradually add the flour mixture and buttermilk alternately until just combined.
  5. Fill cupcake liners two-thirds full and bake for 15-20 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.
  6. Cool completely before frosting with cream cheese icing.
  • Author: Natalia
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 cupcake (58g)
  • Calories: 220
  • Sugar: 18g
  • Sodium: 180mg
  • Fat: 10g
  • Saturated Fat: 3g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 7g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 31g
  • Fiber: <1g
  • Protein: 3g
  • Cholesterol: 45mg

Keywords: Use room temperature ingredients for better mixing. Measure flour accurately to avoid dense cupcakes. Frost only once cupcakes are completely cool to maintain frosting integrity.