Zesty Lemonade Cupcakes with Creamy Lemon Frosting
Delight in the refreshing taste of Zesty Lemonade Cupcakes, a perfect blend of sweetness and tartness that will transport you straight to a sunny Southern afternoon. Bursting with the flavor of lemonade and topped with a luscious cream cheese frosting, these cupcakes are not only visually appealing but also incredibly satisfying. This versatile recipe allows you to experiment with different lemonade flavors like pink or raspberry lemonade for a unique twist. Ideal for parties, picnics, or simply a treat for yourself, these cupcakes make every occasion brighter.
24
Servings
125
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
Frozen lemonade concentrate, thawed
6 ounces (Thawed)
White cake mix
18.25 ounces (N/A)
Sour cream
8 ounces (N/A)
Cream cheese
3 ounces (Softened)
Eggs
3 (N/A)
Yellow food coloring
N/A (Optional, as desired for color)
Cream cheese (for frosting)
4 ounces (Softened)
Butter
2 tablespoons (Softened)
Fresh lemon juice
1.5 teaspoons (Freshly squeezed)
Grated lemon rind
1/2 (Zested from fresh lemon)
Powdered sugar
1 cup (Sifted)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2
Remove 2 tablespoons of the thawed lemonade concentrate from the can and set aside for later use, or discard.
3
In a large mixing bowl, combine the remaining thawed lemonade concentrate with the white cake mix, sour cream, softened cream cheese, and eggs.
4
If desired, add a few drops of yellow food coloring to achieve your preferred shade, then mix all ingredients thoroughly until well blended.
5
Using a mixer, beat the batter for approximately 2-3 minutes until it is creamy and smooth.
6
Line your muffin tins with cupcake liners and fill each cup about 3/4 full with the cupcake batter.
7
Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
8
Once baked, remove from the oven and allow the cupcakes to cool completely on a wire rack before frosting.
9
For the frosting, in a large bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese, butter, fresh lemon juice, grated lemon rind, and sifted powdered sugar.
10
Continue to mix until the frosting is thick, smooth, and spreadable.
11
Frost the cooled cupcakes generously with the lemon cream cheese frosting.
12
Store any frosted cupcakes covered in the refrigerator; bring to room temperature before serving for best flavor.
Nutrition Information
6.25g
Fat
18.75g
Carbs
1.25g
Protein
11.67g
Sugar
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Zesty Lemonade Cupcakes?
They are a refreshing dessert featuring a blend of sweet and tart lemonade flavors, topped with a creamy lemon cheese frosting.
How many servings does this recipe yield?
This recipe makes 24 cupcakes.
What is the calorie count per cupcake?
Each cupcake contains approximately 125 calories.
What temperature should the oven be preheated to?
The oven should be preheated to 350 degrees Fahrenheit or 175 degrees Celsius.
How much frozen lemonade concentrate is required?
The recipe calls for 6 ounces of thawed frozen lemonade concentrate.
Why should I remove 2 tablespoons of the lemonade concentrate?
The instructions recommend setting aside or discarding 2 tablespoons to ensure the correct consistency and flavor balance.
What type of cake mix is best for this recipe?
An 18.25 ounce box of white cake mix is used as the base.
How much sour cream is used in the batter?
The recipe requires 8 ounces of sour cream.
How many eggs are needed?
You will need 3 eggs for the cupcake batter.
Is food coloring necessary?
No, yellow food coloring is optional and can be added if you want a brighter shade of yellow.
How long should I beat the batter?
The batter should be beaten with a mixer for approximately 2 to 3 minutes until smooth.
How full should the cupcake liners be?
Fill each cupcake liner about 3/4 full with the batter.
What is the baking time for these cupcakes?
Bake the cupcakes for 20 minutes.
How do I check if the cupcakes are finished baking?
The cupcakes are done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Do the cupcakes need to cool before frosting?
Yes, they should be allowed to cool completely on a wire rack before you apply the frosting.
What ingredients are in the creamy lemon frosting?
The frosting consists of softened cream cheese, butter, fresh lemon juice, grated lemon rind, and sifted powdered sugar.
How much cream cheese is used in the frosting?
The frosting requires 4 ounces of softened cream cheese.
How much butter is needed for the frosting?
The frosting uses 2 tablespoons of softened butter.
How much powdered sugar is required?
The recipe calls for 1 cup of sifted powdered sugar.
What is the amount of lemon juice used in the frosting?
Use 1.5 teaspoons of freshly squeezed lemon juice.
How much lemon rind should I zest?
The recipe uses the grated rind from half of a fresh lemon.
How should these cupcakes be stored?
Store any frosted cupcakes covered in the refrigerator.
At what temperature should the cupcakes be served?
For the best flavor, bring the cupcakes to room temperature before serving.
Can I use different lemonade flavors?
Yes, you can experiment with pink lemonade or raspberry lemonade concentrate for a unique twist.
How much fat is in one cupcake?
Each cupcake contains 6.25 grams of fat.
How many carbohydrates are in each serving?
There are 18.75 grams of carbohydrates per cupcake.
What is the sugar content of one cupcake?
Each cupcake contains 11.67 grams of sugar.
How much protein does each cupcake provide?
Each serving contains 1.25 grams of protein.
Is there cream cheese in the batter as well?
Yes, the cupcake batter includes 3 ounces of softened cream cheese.
Is this recipe good for parties?
Yes, these cupcakes are ideal for parties, picnics, or as a special treat.