Sweet Treats Saturday: Lemon Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting

These franken cupcakes are a result of my first batch being complete flops.  The original recipe still left me craving a lemon cupcake with cream cheese frosting, so I continued on with that plan, just with a different cake base.

The alternate cupcake recipe was a perfect substitute and they baked up with a light lemon flavor that complimented the cream cheese frosting well.  I don't like my lemon to be overpowering, but if you did you could adjust the recipe for more lemon zest and juice, adjusting the flour mixture appropriately.  I don't think a smidge more lemon juice would have tampered with the consistency though after this week's previous mishap, my baking skills took a minor blow.

The flops. So sad. They were still delicious, but they just didn't rise like they should have.

Anyways, these cupcakes are foolproof and delicious!  They're perfect way to celebrate Spring.  I thought I'd mix things up a bit and use an assortment of cupcake wrappers.  I liked the variety and it seemed more festive for the season.

Lemon Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting
Cupcake recipe from Baked Perfection
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Ingredients:
1 cup butter, softened
2 cups sugar
3 eggs
4 teaspoons grated lemon zest
4 tablespoons of lemon juice
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups sour cream
1 stick butter, softened
2 lbs. confectioners’ sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
juice of one lemon


Directions:
1. In a medium bowl combine the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. In a separate mixing bowl, cream the butter and sugar. Beat in the eggs, one at a time. Add the lemon zest, lemon juice and vanilla; mix well. 
2.  Add the flour mixture to creamed mixture alternately with sour cream (batter will be thick). 
3.  Fill greased or paper-lined muffin cups 3/4 full with batter. Bake at 350 degrees F for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool completely.


Cream Cheese Frosting 
Recipe from My Baking Addiction

Ingredients:

16 oz. cream cheese, softened

8oz butter (1 stick), softened

2 lbs confectioners' sugar

2 tsp vanilla extract

juice of 1 lemon

Directions:

Using a mixer, blend the butter and cream cheese together until well combined.  Gradually add in the confectioners’ sugar until fully incorporated. Then mix in vanilla and lemon juice.

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