Strawberry Lemonade Cupcakes (Print View)
Fluffy vanilla cupcakes swirled with fresh strawberries and bright lemon zest, crowned with creamy strawberry-lemon buttercream frosting.
# What You Need:
→ Cupcakes
01 - 1½ cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 tsp baking powder
03 - ¼ tsp baking soda
04 - ¼ tsp salt
05 - ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
06 - 1 cup granulated sugar
07 - 2 large eggs, room temperature
08 - ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
09 - 1 tbsp finely grated lemon zest
10 - ½ cup buttermilk, room temperature
11 - ½ cup chopped fresh strawberries
→ Lemon-Strawberry Buttercream
12 - ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
13 - 2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
14 - 2 tbsp fresh strawberry puree
15 - 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
16 - 1 tsp finely grated lemon zest
17 - Pinch of salt
# How to Make It:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F and line a 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners.
02 - Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a bowl. Set aside.
03 - Beat softened butter and granulated sugar in a large mixing bowl until light and fluffy, approximately 3 minutes.
04 - Add eggs one at a time, beating thoroughly after each addition. Mix in lemon juice and zest.
05 - Alternate adding half the dry ingredients, then buttermilk, finishing with remaining dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
06 - Gently fold chopped strawberries into the batter until evenly distributed.
07 - Divide batter evenly among prepared cupcake liners, filling each about two-thirds full.
08 - Bake for 16 to 18 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
09 - Beat softened butter until creamy. Gradually add sifted powdered sugar, beating until smooth.
10 - Mix in strawberry puree, lemon juice, lemon zest, and salt. Beat until light and fluffy.
11 - Pipe or spread buttercream onto fully cooled cupcakes. Garnish with additional strawberries or lemon zest if desired.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The combination of fresh strawberries and bright lemon hits that perfect sweet-tart balance that keeps people coming back for seconds
- These cupcakes are incredibly forgiving and actually taste better when you let your kids help with the messy parts
02 -
- Folding strawberries gently keeps the batter from turning streaky and gray
- Room temperature ingredients prevent curdling and ensure even baking
03 -
- Greek yogurt makes a perfect substitute for buttermilk in a pinch
- Extra lemon zest in the frosting creates a stronger citrus punch