My mom recently hosted a few friends at her house for a ladies night. She asked if I could make some cupcakes for her gathering. I wanted to do something simple but beautiful. I decided to go with a lemon cupcake for the base because of the lightness and flavor. Paired with a simple cream cheese frosting this provides a wonderful compliment to the lemon flavor. The cupcakes recieved rave reviews among the ladies at the gathering. I look forward to making them again. Enjoy!
Ingredients:
For the cupcakes:
- 1 3/4 cups cake flour
- 1/4 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup milk (2% or whole)
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 large egg whites, at room temperature
- 1 stick butter, melted (if using unsalted add in 1/4 teaspoon salt)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 1/2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice
For the frosting:
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
- 8 oz. chilled cream cheese
- 2 1/2 teaspooons vanilla
- 1 small lemon for garnish
Directions
For the cupcakes:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a muffin tin with cupcake liners. In a medium bowl combine the flour, baking powder, and baking soda. Using a large stand mixer or a large bowl with a hand held mixer, beat the butter and sugar for about 2 minutes or until well combined. Beat in the egg whites until well combined. Scrape down the side of the bowl. Slowly add in the dry ingredients until just combined. Next, mix in the sour cream, milk, vanilla, lemon zest and lemon juice at low speed until just combined. You do not want to over mix. Fill each cupcake liner 2/3 - 3/4 of the way full. Bake about 15 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cupcake comes out clean. Allow the cupcakes to cool completely before frosting.
For the frosting:
Using a stand mixer fitted with the paddle blend together the powdered sugar and butter (I cut up the butter into cubes) on low speed. Mix for about 3-5 minutes until well blended. Cube up the cream cheese and add it into the mixing bowl with the vanilla. Blend on medium until creamy. Spread ontop of the cupcakes or pipe. Garnish each cupcake with a small lemon wedge. Enjoy!