Strawberry Lemonade Cupcakes

Strawberry Lemonade Cupcakes

Brighten up your day with these delightful Strawberry Lemonade Cupcakes! These cupcakes combine the zesty flavor of lemons with the sweet taste of strawberries, making them the perfect treat for any occasion. The moist and fluffy lemon cupcake is filled with tangy lemon curd and topped with a luscious strawberry frosting. Here’s how to make them:

Ingredients

Cupcakes

• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• Zest of 1 lemon
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice, freshly squeezed
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 6 tablespoons sour cream

Filling

• 1 batch lemon curd (prepared ahead and chilled)

Frosting

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/3 cup strawberry jam
• 1/2 teaspoon strawberry extract
• 1 drop red gel food color
• 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar

Additional Items

• Fresh strawberries, for topping

Directions

1. Prepare the Lemon Curd:
   • Follow your favorite lemon curd recipe and chill it in the refrigerator until ready to use.
2. Preheat the Oven:
   • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a cupcake pan with 8 paper liners.
3. Make the Cupcake Batter:
   • In a large bowl or stand mixer, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
   • Mix in the egg, lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla extract until smooth, scraping the bowl as needed.
   • Add the salt and baking powder, mixing until just combined.
   • Alternate additions of flour and sour cream, mixing until fully combined and no streaks remain.
4. Bake the Cupcakes:
   • Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cupcake liners, filling each about 2/3 full.
   • Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
   • Cool the cupcakes in the pan until they are easy to handle, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
5. Prepare the Frosting:
   • In a large bowl or stand mixer, beat together the butter, vanilla extract, strawberry jam, and strawberry extract until fully combined.
   • Gradually add the powdered sugar, mixing until smooth.
   • If desired, add a drop of red gel food color for a brighter shade of pink.
6. Assemble the Cupcakes:
   • Use a sharp knife or cupcake corer to remove the center of each cupcake.
   • Fill the center of each cupcake with the chilled lemon curd and replace the top of the core.
   • Frost the cupcakes with the prepared strawberry frosting.
   • Top each cupcake with a fresh strawberry.

Nutritional Information

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cooking Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Calories: 320 kcal per cupcake
• Servings: 8 cupcakes

Enjoy these refreshing Strawberry Lemonade Cupcakes as a sweet treat or a delightful dessert for your next gathering! The combination of tangy lemon and sweet strawberry will leave everyone wanting more. Happy baking!

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