Bright Strawberry Lemon Cupcakes Recipe: A Zesty Sweet Treat

Sweet summer memories dance through these delightful strawberry lemon cupcakes that blend tangy citrus with lush berry goodness.

Sunshine bursts from every delicate crumb, promising a magical dessert experience.

Fragrant lemons whisper bright notes across soft, pillowy textures.

Ripe strawberries nestle gently within each tender cake, creating unexpected pockets of juicy delight.

Delicate frosting swirls promise a perfect balance between tart and sweet sensations.

Cream cheese adds luxurious richness that makes these cupcakes irresistibly smooth.

Jump into this simple recipe and let pure joy fill your kitchen.

Why Strawberry Lemon Cupcakes Are Bursting with Appeal

• Burst with Fresh Flavor: Combine sweet strawberries and zesty lemon for a delightful taste explosion that dances on your taste buds.
• Beginner Baker's Delight: Simple mixing technique and straightforward ingredients make this recipe perfect for novice bakers wanting to create something spectacular.
• Crowd-Pleasing Dessert: Gorgeous presentation with cream cheese frosting and strawberry preserve garnish ensures these cupcakes will impress guests at any gathering, from casual parties to elegant brunches.
• Customizable Treat: Easily adapt the recipe by adjusting fruit quantities or experimenting with different citrus zests to match your personal preference.

What You’ll Need for Strawberry Lemon Cupcakes

• All-Purpose Flour: A key component that provides structure to the cupcake's delicate texture.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the cupcakes and helps create a tender crumb.
• Butter: Adds richness and helps create a smooth, moist cake.
• Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and contribute to the cupcake's light texture.

• Fresh Strawberries: Provide bursts of natural sweetness and fruity chunks throughout the cupcake.
• Lemon Juice: Adds a bright, tangy flavor that complements the strawberries.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall flavor profile with its warm, sweet notes.

• Baking Powder: Helps the cupcakes rise and achieve a light, fluffy texture.
• Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the overall flavor of the cupcakes.

• Cream Cheese: Creates a rich, creamy base for the frosting with a tangy undertone.
• Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and helps stabilize the frosting.
• Heavy Cream: Adds smoothness and helps achieve the perfect frosting consistency.
• Lemon Zest: Provides a fresh, citrusy aroma and flavor to the frosting.

• Strawberry Preserves: Adds an extra layer of strawberry flavor and decorative touch to the finished cupcakes.

Strawberry Lemon Cupcakes the Easy Way

Step 1: Prep the Oven and Pan

Set your oven to 350°F and line a muffin tin with cupcake liners. This ensures your cupcakes will bake evenly and come out easily.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

Grab a medium mixing bowl and sift together flour, baking powder, and salt. Sifting helps break up any lumps and creates a smooth, consistent dry mixture.

Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar

In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to cream butter and granulated sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. This step adds air and creates a tender cupcake texture.

Step 4: Add Eggs

Incorporate eggs one at a time into the butter mixture. Mix thoroughly after each addition to ensure a smooth, well-blended batter.

Step 5: Fold in Fruity Goodness

• Chopped strawberries
• Lemon juice
• Vanilla extract

Ensure these ingredients are evenly distributed throughout the batter.

Step 6: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Carefully blend the dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Stir until just combined – be careful not to overmix, as this can make the cupcakes tough.

Step 7: Fill Cupcake Liners

Divide the batter evenly among the prepared cupcake liners, filling each about 2/3 full. This allows room for the cupcakes to rise while baking.

Step 8: Bake to Perfection

Place the muffin tin in the preheated oven and bake for 18-20 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center – it should come out clean when the cupcakes are ready.

Step 9: Cool the Cupcakes

Remove the cupcakes from the oven and let them cool completely on a wire rack. This prevents them from becoming soggy.

Step 10: Prepare Cream Cheese Frosting

Beat cream cheese until smooth. Gradually mix in powdered sugar and heavy cream to create a creamy, luxurious frosting.

Step 11: Add Zesty Flavor

Fold in lemon zest to give the frosting an extra burst of citrusy brightness.

Step 12: Frost the Cupcakes

Once the cupcakes are completely cooled, pipe or spread the cream cheese frosting on top of each cupcake.

Step 13: Add a Sweet Finish

Garnish each frosted cupcake with a small dollop of strawberry preserves in the center for an extra pop of flavor.

Step 14: Chill and Serve

Refrigerate the cupcakes for 15 minutes to help the frosting set. This makes them easier to serve and adds a refreshing touch.

Fluffy Cupcakes Every Time: Pro Tips Inside

• Prevent Soggy Strawberries: Pat chopped strawberries dry with paper towels before adding to batter to reduce excess moisture and maintain cupcake texture.
• Keep Cupcakes Fluffy: Mix dry and wet ingredients just until combined to prevent overmixing, which can lead to dense, tough cupcakes.
• Zest for Brightness: Grate fresh lemon zest directly into the frosting for a more vibrant, intense citrus flavor that elevates the entire dessert.
• Control Frosting Consistency: Adjust powdered sugar gradually when making cream cheese frosting to achieve the perfect spreadable or pipeable texture.
• Enhance Strawberry Flavor: Swap some vanilla extract with strawberry extract for a more pronounced fruit essence throughout the cupcakes.

Strawberry Lemon Cupcake Flavor Switch-Ups

• Berry Bonanza: Replace strawberries with a mixed berry medley of raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries for a vibrant fruit explosion.
• Tropical Paradise: Swap lemon juice with fresh lime juice and add shredded coconut to the batter for a sunny Caribbean-inspired treat.
• Lavender Love: Infuse the batter with dried lavender buds and use lavender-honey cream cheese frosting for an elegant, aromatic cupcake.
• Chocolate Strawberry Dream: Fold cocoa powder into the dry ingredients and top with chocolate-dipped strawberry garnish for a decadent version.

What Goes Well with Strawberry Lemon Cupcakes

• Pair with Chilled Champagne: Bubbling champagne cuts through the creamy frosting and complements the bright strawberry and lemon flavors, creating a luxurious dessert experience.
• Serve with Lavender Earl Grey Tea: The delicate floral notes of lavender and bergamot in Earl Grey tea beautifully enhance the citrusy and sweet elements of the cupcakes.
• Match with Limoncello Spritzer: A light, zesty limoncello cocktail with a splash of soda water echoes the cupcake's lemon profile while providing a refreshing alcoholic accompaniment.
• Complement with White Chocolate Mousse: A smooth, rich white chocolate mousse provides a creamy contrast to the tangy cupcakes, balancing the fruity and citrus notes.

Store Strawberry Lemon Cupcakes Like a Dessert Pro

• Store frosted strawberry lemon cupcakes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Ensure the container is sealed tightly to prevent moisture loss and maintain freshness.
• Wrap unfrosted cupcakes individually in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature and frost just before serving to preserve texture and flavor.
• Keep unfrosted cupcakes at room temperature in a covered container for 1-2 days. Place a piece of parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking and maintain their delicate structure.
• Separate frosted and unfrosted cupcakes when storing.

Strawberry Lemon Cupcake FAQs Made Simple

• Why do I need to sift dry ingredients?

Sifting breaks up clumps, ensures even distribution of baking powder and salt, and creates a lighter, more uniform cupcake texture.

• Can I use frozen strawberries instead of fresh?

Fresh strawberries work best for optimal flavor and texture. Frozen strawberries release too much moisture and can make the batter soggy.

• How do I prevent overmixing the batter?

Stop mixing as soon as the dry and wet ingredients are just combined. Overmixing develops gluten, which can make cupcakes tough and dense.

• What's the best way to get smooth cream cheese frosting?

Ensure cream cheese is at room temperature and beat it thoroughly before gradually adding powdered sugar to prevent lumps.

Strawberry Lemon Cupcakes Recipe

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4.5 from 26 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Sweet strawberry lemon cupcakes blend tangy citrus with delicate berry notes, creating a delightful dessert that dances between refreshing and indulgent. Delicate crumb and zesty frosting invite you to savor each moist, flavorful bite of pure summer happiness.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup fresh strawberries, chopped
• 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter

Leavening and Binding:

• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Finishing Ingredients:

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2 tbsp lemon zest
• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• 4 oz cream cheese
• 2 tbsp strawberry preserves

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a muffin tin with cupcake liners.
2. Sift together flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium mixing bowl, creating a uniform dry mixture.
3. Cream butter and granulated sugar in a separate large bowl until light and fluffy, using an electric mixer.
4. Incorporate eggs one at a time into the butter mixture, mixing thoroughly after each addition.
5. Fold in chopped strawberries, lemon juice, and vanilla extract, ensuring even distribution throughout the batter.
6. Gently blend the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring until just combined to avoid overmixing.
7. Divide the batter evenly among the prepared cupcake liners, filling each about 2/3 full.
8. Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
9. Remove cupcakes from the oven and allow to cool completely on a wire rack.
10. Prepare the frosting by beating cream cheese until smooth, then gradually mix in powdered sugar and heavy cream.
11. Fold in lemon zest to enhance the citrusy flavor of the frosting.
12. Once cupcakes are cooled, pipe or spread the cream cheese frosting on top of each cupcake.
13. Garnish with a small dollop of strawberry preserves in the center of each frosted cupcake.
14. Chill for 15 minutes to set the frosting before serving.

Notes

• Prevent strawberry sinking by tossing chopped pieces in a light dusting of flour before adding to the batter, which helps distribute fruit evenly throughout the cupcakes.
• Create dairy-free version by substituting butter with coconut oil and using vegan cream cheese alternatives for a plant-based friendly dessert.
• Enhance moisture by not overmixing the batter, which can lead to tough, dense cupcakes; mix until ingredients are just combined for tender, light texture.
• Control sweetness by adjusting lemon zest and using fresh, ripe strawberries to naturally intensify fruity flavors without excessive sugar.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 272
• Sugar: 22 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 39 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 55 mg