Lemon Cupcakes

Lemon Cupcakes with a poppy seed twist! These Lemon Poppy Seed Cupcakes are sweet, dense, and topped with rich lemon buttercream frosting. If you love lemon... these cupcakes are for you!

4 from 3 votes

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Prep Time: 10

Cook Time: 20

Total Time: 30

Servings:

Calories: 258kcal

Author: Cathy Trochelman

Ingredients

Lemon Poppy Seed Cupcakes

2 1/4 cups all purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
5 teaspoon poppy seeds
3/4 cup unsalted butter at room temperature
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1 Tablespoon lemon zest
2 large eggs
3/4 cup milk
2 Tablespoons lemon juice

Lemon Buttercream Frosting

1/3 cup unsalted butter
4 cups powdered sugar
2 Tablespoons milk
2 Tablespoons lemon juice

Instructions

Preheat oven to 325°. Line two 12-cup muffin pans with cupcake liners.
In a medium mixing bowl, combine flour, baking powder, salt, and poppy seeds.
In a separate large bowl, beat butter, granulated sugar, and lemon zest until light and fluffy.
Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
Add half the flour mixture and beat on low speed just until blended.
Add milk and lemon juice and mix on low speed until combined.
Mix in remaining flour mixture.
Divide batter evenly among the muffin cups, filling 3/4 full. Bake until golden brown, 20-25 minutes.
Remove from the oven and cool on a wire rack.
For the frosting, beat the butter until light and fluffy.
Gradually add 2 cups powdered sugar, beating well.
Slowly add in milk and lemon juice, then beat in remaining 2 cups powdered sugar.
Pipe frosting on to cupcakes; top with lemon zest and poppy seeds.

Notes

Pro Tips

Measure your ingredients accurately. Most importantly? Be sure you spoon your flour into the measuring cups instead of scooping. This ensures that your cupcakes won't end up dry.

If possible, use fresh lemon juice. As with any fresh ingredients, fresh lemon juice will give you the most authentic (and delicious) lemon flavor!

Use a cookie scoop to measure batter. I love using a cookie scoop to guarantee that all my cupcakes turn out the same size.

Double the frosting recipe. If you're anything like me, the frosting is the best part. Don't be afraid to double it up!

Nutrition