Bake Joy: Sweet Strawberry Lemonade Cupcakes Recipe

Summer’s sweet whispers dance through these delightful strawberry lemonade cupcakes that blend tangy citrus with lush berry notes.

Soft, moist layers capture the essence of sun-drenched afternoons and backyard gatherings.

Each bite promises a burst of vibrant flavor that tingles your taste buds with refreshing zest.

Light and airy textures mingle with bright strawberry and lemon accents, creating a dessert that feels like a cool breeze on a warm day.

The delicate frosting swirls on top add a playful touch to these irresistible treats.

Bakers seeking a guaranteed crowd-pleaser will find pure joy in this simple yet spectacular cupcake recipe.

Get ready to wow everyone with these sunshine-inspired delights that turn an ordinary moment into a celebration of summer’s sweetest memories.

How to Make Strawberry Lemonade Cupcakes from Scratch

• Cupcake Preparation

Preheat the oven and gather your baking tools. Line a cupcake pan with cute paper liners for a cheerful touch.

• Mixing the Base

Cream butter and sugar until they transform into a fluffy cloud-like mixture. Splash in egg, zesty lemon notes, and vanilla for a burst of flavor. Gently fold in dry ingredients, creating a silky smooth batter.

• Baking Magic

Pour the batter into waiting cupcake homes, filling each about two-thirds full. Slide the pan into the warm oven and bake until golden and springy to the touch.

• Strawberry Frosting Fusion

Whip up a dreamy pink frosting that blends creamy butter with sweet strawberry essence. Beat until the mixture becomes light and irresistible.

• Lemon Surprise Center

Carefully carve out a small heart in each cooled cupcake. Fill the secret pocket with tangy lemon curd for an unexpected burst of sunshine.

• Final Flourish

Generously swirl the strawberry frosting over each cupcake. Crown your creation with a plump, fresh strawberry as the perfect finishing touch.

Flavor Ideas and Fixes for Strawberry Lemonade Cupcakes

• Prepare lemon curd and refrigerate up to 3 days in advance for stress-free baking and deeper flavor development.
• Avoid overmixing batter to keep cupcakes tender; stop mixing as soon as ingredients are just combined for a light, fluffy result.
• Intensify strawberry notes by using high-quality strawberry jam and pure strawberry extract for a more vibrant taste profile.
• Create stunning cupcakes by piping frosting in elegant swirls or using a star tip for a professional bakery-style finish.
• Store frosted cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or refrigerate for extended freshness.

Strawberry Lemonade Cupcake Serving Inspirations

• Elevate Party Presentation: Arrange cupcakes on a tiered cake stand for a stunning dessert display that catches everyone's eye.
• Create Flavor Contrast: Pair these cupcakes with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream to balance the tangy and sweet notes.
• Design Garnish Magic: Sprinkle lemon zest or crushed freeze-dried strawberries on top for an extra burst of flavor and elegant finishing touch.
• Craft Beverage Companion: Serve alongside a chilled glass of prosecco or sparkling water with a strawberry slice to complement the cupcake's bright flavors.

Storing Strawberry Lemonade Cupcakes

• Strategize Meal Prep: Bake cupcakes up to 2 days before serving, storing them in an airtight container at room temperature to maintain freshness.
• Refrigerate and Protect: Keep lemon curd and frosted cupcakes sealed in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, ensuring they stay moist and flavorful.
• Freeze for Future Enjoyment: Wrap unfrosted cupcakes individually in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag. Store frozen for 1-2 months, thawing at room temperature before decorating.
• Smart Serving Tip: Add fresh strawberry garnish just before serving to prevent wilting and maintain the vibrant, juicy appearance of the fruit.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Calories: 200 kcal

Servings: 13

What Goes Into Strawberry Lemonade Cupcakes

• All-Purpose Flour: The foundation of tender, soft cupcakes that provides structure and delightful crumb.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens and helps create a light, airy texture in the cupcake.
• Unsalted Butter: Delivers rich flavor and ensures a moist, luxurious cake consistency.
• Sour Cream: Adds tanginess and keeps the cupcakes incredibly moist and soft.
• Egg: Binds ingredients together and contributes to the cupcake's delicate structure.
• Baking Powder: Creates lift and helps the cupcakes rise beautifully and evenly.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances the sweetness.

• Lemon Zest: Brings bright, citrusy aroma and intensifies lemony flavor.
• Lemon Juice: Adds zesty tang and helps activate baking powder.
• Vanilla Extract: Provides warm, rounded depth to the cupcake's taste profile.

• Powdered Sugar: Creates smooth, spreadable frosting with perfect sweetness.
• Strawberry Jam: Introduces natural berry flavor and vibrant color.
• Strawberry Extract: Boosts strawberry essence and intensifies fruity notes.
• Butter: Provides creamy base for frosting with rich undertones.
• Red Gel Food Color: Optional touch for creating vivid pink shade.
• Fresh Strawberry: Gorgeous garnish that signals the cupcake's fruity character.
• Lemon Curd: Tangy, silky filling that complements the strawberry frosting.

Tools to Bake Strawberry Lemonade Cupcakes with Ease

• Stand Mixer or Large Bowl: Essential for mixing cake batter and frosting smoothly and efficiently.
• Cupcake Pan: Needed to bake perfect cupcake shapes with 8 paper liners.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Critical for accurate ingredient measurements.
• Wire Cooling Rack: Helps cupcakes cool evenly and prevents soggy bottoms.
• Sharp Knife or Cupcake Corer: Used to create space for lemon curd filling.
• Toothpick: Checks cupcake doneness by testing if it comes out clean.
• Spatula: Helps scrape bowl and mix ingredients thoroughly.
• Piping Bag (optional): Great for decorative frosting application.

Vibrant Strawberry Lemonade Cupcakes Recipe

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4.8 from 8 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Sweet strawberry lemonade cupcakes blend summer’s freshest flavors with delicate citrus notes. Zesty lemon cake layers topped with silky strawberry frosting create pure dessert bliss you cannot resist.

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Ingredients

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• 1 ½ tsps baking powder
• 1 large egg
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
• ¼ tsp salt
• 6 tbsps (90 mL) sour cream
• 2 tbsps (30 mL) freshly squeezed lemon juice
• ¼ cup (57 g) unsalted butter, softened
• Zest of 1 lemon
• 1 cup (227 g) unsalted butter, softened
• 2 ½ cups powdered sugar
• ⅓ cup strawberry jam
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
• ½ tsp strawberry extract
• 1 drop red gel food color (optional)
• 1 batch lemon curd
• Fresh strawberries, for topping

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Instructions

1. Lemon Curd Preparation: Craft lemon curd ahead of time and refrigerate to enhance flavor complexity and texture stability.
2. Oven Initialization: Calibrate oven to 350°F (175°C) and position cupcake liners strategically within muffin tin.
3. Butter Creaming: Vigorously blend unsalted butter and granulated sugar until achieving a luminous, ethereal consistency with minimal granular texture.
4. Liquid Integration: Seamlessly incorporate egg, vibrant lemon zest, citrus juice, and pure vanilla extract, transforming mixture into a silky-smooth emulsion.
5. Dry Ingredient Fusion: Delicately introduce kosher salt and baking powder, ensuring even distribution without excessive agitation.
6. Batter Composition: Methodically fold all-purpose flour and sour cream alternately, creating a harmonious batter devoid of flour striations.
7. Baking Process: Allocate batter evenly across cupcake liners, filling approximately two-thirds to facilitate optimal rising during thermal transformation.
8. Thermal Treatment: Bake for 18-20 minutes, validating doneness through toothpick test – a clean extraction indicates perfect cupcake maturity.
9. Cooling Protocol: Briefly rest cupcakes in pan, then transition to wire rack for complete temperature equilibration.
10. Frosting Crafting: Whip butter, vanilla extract, strawberry jam, and strawberry extract into a unified, luxurious cream.
11. Sweet Enhancement: Incrementally integrate powdered sugar, maintaining continuous motion to achieve a velvety, spreadable consistency.
12. Cupcake Modification: Excise cupcake centers delicately, creating cavities for lemon curd infusion.
13. Curd Filling: Generously populate core spaces with prepared lemon curd, reinstating removed sections with precision.
14. Decorative Frosting: Lavishly adorn cupcakes with strawberry buttercream, sculpting elegant, spiraling peaks.
15. Final Embellishment: Crown each cupcake with a pristine, ripe strawberry, elevating both visual allure and gustatory experience.

Notes

• Prepare Lemon Curd Early: Make the lemon curd at least a day ahead to allow flavors to meld and achieve perfect consistency.
• Prevent Overmixing: Gently fold flour and sour cream to maintain a light, tender cupcake texture without developing tough gluten.
• Check Baking Precision: Use an accurate oven thermometer to ensure exact 350°F temperature for consistent baking results.
• Filling Technique Matters: Core cupcakes carefully and fill with lemon curd just before frosting to keep the cake moist and prevent sogginess.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 200
• Sugar: 22 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 9 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 27 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg