These super
zesty lemon cupcakes are ideal for picnics, barbecues, parties or a coffee morning. From start to finish you can make them in
30 minutes.
Image by Steph Laing - Wikimedia Commons
Makes 9 - 12, depending on size of cupcakes.
Equipment
Ingredients
For cupcakes:
125g unsalted butter at room temperature
125g caster sugar
125g sieved self-raising flour
2 large eggs at room temperature
1 large or 2 small lemons
1 tablespoon full fat or semi-skimmed milk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
To decorate:
125g unsalted butter
250g icing sugar
a few drops of lemon juice
or
250g icing sugar
a few drops of lemon juice
sprinkles
Method
Preheat the oven to Gas 5 or 190 degrees
1. Put the butter and sugar into bowl and cream until thoroughly mixed.
2. Gradually mix in the flour until completely mixed.
3. Add the two eggs one by one and mix completely.
4. Grate the lemon finely and then add to the batter. Mix in the vanilla extract.
5. Juice the lemons and add to the batter, mixing thoroughly.
6. Test the batter. If it falls off the spoon easily then it is liquid enough. If it does not, add a drop of milk and mix in.
7. Put the cases into the baking tray and then add the batter until it is 3/4 of the way up. Don't worry about making them even as this will happen during the cooking process.
8. Bake in the oven for 12 - 15 minutes. Test if they are reading by using a skewer or cocktail stick - if it comes out clean they are done.
Leave to cool.
To decorate
Make a butter cream topping by mixing the butter with icing sugar.
You can add a little lemon juice to give the buttercream flavour.
Alternatively, mix the icing sugar with a little lemon juice and drizzle over the cupcakes.
Decorate using an icing bag and enjoy!