Strawberry Lemonade Cupcakes (Print Version)
Fluffy vanilla cupcakes filled 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 teaspoon baking powder
03 - ¼ teaspoon baking soda
04 - ¼ teaspoon 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 tablespoon 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 tablespoons fresh strawberry puree
15 - 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
16 - 1 teaspoon 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 - In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
04 - Add eggs one at a time, beating after each addition. Mix in lemon juice and zest.
05 - Mix in half the dry ingredients, then add the buttermilk, and finish with the remaining dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
06 - Gently fold in chopped strawberries.
07 - Divide batter evenly among cupcake liners, filling each about 2/3 full.
08 - Bake for 16–18 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool in pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
09 - Beat softened butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, beating until smooth.
10 - Mix in strawberry puree, lemon juice, lemon zest, and salt. Beat until light and fluffy.
11 - Once cupcakes are fully cooled, pipe or spread buttercream onto each one. Garnish with extra strawberries or lemon zest if desired.
# Expert Hints:
01 -
- The buttercream tastes like what would happen if strawberry lemonade grew up and got fancy
- People will absolutely ask you to bring these to every single gathering forever
02 -
- Cold ingredients are the enemy of fluffy cupcakes, let everything come to room temperature first
- These freeze beautifully unfrosted if you want to get ahead of party prep
03 -
- If you only have frozen strawberries, thaw and drain them well before pureeing
- A small cookie scoop distributes batter evenly and keeps your fingers clean