Lemonade Cupcakes with Pink Lemonade Frosting
These lemonade cupcakes are a delightful way to add a zesty, sweet touch to any occasion. Bursting with bright citrus flavours, these cupcakes are topped with a creamy pink lemonade frosting that adds a perfect pop of colour and tang. Whether for a picnic, a birthday party or just because you love lemon, these cupcakes will be a hit. Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Line a muffin tin with cupcake liners, so your cupcakes don’t stick to the pan and are easy to remove. In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set this dry mixture aside while you prepare the wet ingredients. In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy. This should take about 2-3 minutes. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, ensuring each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next. Add the vanilla extract and continue to beat until the mixture is smooth.
Pour in the fresh lemon juice and lemon zest, mixing well to ensure the bright citrus flavour is evenly distributed. Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients, alternating with the milk. Start and end with the dry ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the cupcakes dense.
Divide the cupcake batter evenly into the prepared muffin tin, filling each liner about two-thirds full. Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the centre of a cupcake comes out clean. Allow the cupcakes to cool completely on a wire rack before frosting.
For the pink lemonade frosting: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter using an electric mixer until it’s light and creamy, about 2 minutes. Gradually add the powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time, beating on low speed until combined. Increase the speed to medium-high and continue beating until smooth. Pour in the pink lemonade concentrate, along with 1 tablespoon of milk, and mix well.
If the frosting is too thick, add more milk, 1 teaspoon at a time, until you reach your desired consistency. For an extra pop of colour, add a few drops of red or pink food colouring and mix until the frosting is evenly tinted. Once the cupcakes are completely cooled, use a piping bag or a spatula to generously frost the cupcakes with the pink lemonade frosting. Decorate with lemon slices and sprinkles for an extra fun, summery touch.
These lemonade cupcakes with pink lemonade frosting are sure to impress with their zesty flavour and bright, cheerful presentation. Whether you’re making them for a family gathering, a picnic, or just because you love all things lemonade, this recipe guarantees a perfect balance of sweetness and citrus.
Ingredients for Lemonade Cupcakes;
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup milk
- ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
- Zest of 1 lemon
Ingredients for Pink Lemonade Frosting:
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons pink lemonade concentrate
- 1-2 tablespoons milk (as needed for consistency)
- A few drops of red or pink food colouring (optional)
- Lemon slices and sprinkles (for decoration)