These zesty lemon cupcakes are topped with fluffy vanilla cream frosting and a crispy candied lemon peel. Plus 35 more lemon recipes below!
We are celebrating one my favorite bloggers in the world today. Liz from The Lemon Bowl is expecting her second baby boy very very soon and I couldn't be happier for her!! A few of her blogging friends got together to throw her a surprise virtual baby shower. Each blogger had to create a recipe with lemon in it, hence the Lemon Cupcakes with Candied Lemon Chips.
Liz and I have a long-standing inside joke where we say "CHIPS!" to each other randomly in social media (Twitter, Instagram, Facebook). So, naturally, I needed to incorporate chips into my post somehow, which is why I came up with candied lemon chips to garnish these cupcakes.
I wanted to write much more about Liz and about these cupcakes, but I am currently limited with my Internet usage as we are on our way back from vacation. We were supposed to be back home by now, but our car broke down and we are staying with friends in Nashville. (Darn, stuck in Nashville. What a bad day!) 😉
Anyway, go on over and give Liz a quick visit to her blog. You'll love her immediately! Congratulations, Liz!! I'm so thrilled we are REAL life friends!! Love you much!!! <muah!>
Recipe Card
Lemon Cupcakes with Vanilla Buttercream Frosting
Ingredients
For the Cupcakes:
- 8 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup milk
- Zest and juice of two medium lemons
For the Frosting:
- 1 cup unsalted butter , at room temperature
- 3 to 4 cups powdered sugar
- ¼ cup heavy whipping cream
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
For the Cupcakes:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Prepare a 12-count muffin tin with paper liners; set aside.
- In large mixing bowl, cream together the butter and sugar on medium speed until light and creamy, about 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in the eggs and vanilla until fully combined.
- In a separate medium sized bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt. Add half of the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, and beat until just combined. Add the rest of the dry ingredients and beat again until just combined. Stir in the milk, lemon zest and lemon juice. Be careful not to overmix.
- Evenly distribute the batter into the cupcake liners, filling about three-quarters full. Bake for 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Remove from oven and cool completely before frosting.
For the Frosting:
- In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3 to 4 minutes. One cup at a time, slowly add 3 cups of the powdered sugar, mixing in the heavy cream between each cup added. Beat in the vanilla extract and salt, then increase the mixer to high speed and beat for 3 more minutes. Add more powdered sugar to reach desired consistency.
- Frost the cooled cupcakes, then garnish with Candied Lemon Chips (recipe below). Cupcakes can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Adapted Source: Sally's Baking Addiction
Recipe Card
Candied Lemon Chips
Ingredients
- 1-2 large lemons
- 3 cups water , divided
- 1 cup sugar
Instructions
- Thinly slice the lemons using the second setting on a mandoline. (Or use a knife to carefully slice the lemons.)
- Bring 2 cups of water to a boil in a large deep skillet. Meanwhile, prepare an ice bath by combining cold water and ice in a large bowl; set aside.
- Place the lemon slices into the boiling water and boil for 1 minute, flipping once halfway. Use a slotted spoon or tongs to remove the lemon slices from the water and place them in the ice bath.
- Wipe out the skillet with a paper towel and combine 1 cup of water with 1 cup of sugar. Bring to a boil over high heat, stirring until the sugar is dissolved. Transfer the lemon slices to the pan of sugar water in one layer. Turn down the heat and simmer for 1 hour.
- Remove the lemon slices from the pan and transfer to a silicone lined baking sheet to cool and dry. They will be sticky. Use to garnish over Lemon Cupcakes or for decorating any lemon dish.
Check out the rest of the contributors to Liz's shower. It's a great menu!
Appetizers
-
Whipped Feta Spread with Lemon, Garlic & Rosemary by Miss in the Kitchen
-
Cauliflower Mashed "Potatoes" in a Lemon Cup with Smoked Paprika by Climbing Grier Mountain
-
Lemon Basil Bruschetta by Dine & Dish
-
Chipotle Sweet Potato Fries w/ Lemon Basil Aioli by What's Gaby Cooking
-
Lemon Garlic Herb Marinated Olives by Sarah's Cucina Bella
-
Kalamata Olive and Feta Dip with Baked Lemon Pepper Pita Chips by Aggie's Kitchen
-
Creamy Asparagus Guacamole by The Healthy Apple
Beverages
-
Sparkling Honey Rosemary Lemonade by Nutmeg Nanny
-
Basil Hibiscus Lemonade by Fabtastic Eats
-
Jam Mocktails: Lemon & Pineapple by Cooking with Books
-
Lemon Jalapeno Spritzers by Bev Cooks
-
Sparkling Blackberry Lemonade by Crumbs and Chaos
-
Limonana (Middle Eastern Frozen Mint Lemonade) by An Edible Mosaic
-
Tipsy Lemonade Iced Tea by Family Fresh Cooking
Salads
-
Kale Salad with Lemon-Tahini Dressing by Thrifty Veggie Mama
-
Lemon Quinoa Salad with Pistachios & Sun-Dried Tomatoes by Cookin' Canuck
-
Greek Salad with Garlic-Lemon Vinaigrette by Gimme Some Oven
-
Pear Quinoa Salad by Reluctant Entertainer
-
Lemon Avocado Salad Dressing by The Lean Green Bean
-
Lemony Spinach & Tomato Quinoa Salad by MomAdvice
-
Herbed Calamari Salad with Preserved Lemons by Everyday Maven
Main Dish
-
Italian Lemon Roast Chicken Pot by Eat2Gather
-
Roasted Lemon Garlic Cocktail Shrimp by Simply Scratch
-
Lemon Garlic Shrimp Tostada by A Zesty Bite
-
Lemon Pepper Shrimp Linguine by Taste and Tell
-
Salmon with Lemon Herb Butter by Handle the Heat
-
Lemon Chicken Stew by FoodieCrush
-
Chicken Saltimbocca with Lemon Cream Sauce and Olive Orzo by Baker by Nature
Desserts
-
Honey Lemon Shortbread Cookies by Rachel Cooks
-
Lemon Blueberry Macarons by Chocolate & Carrots
-
Lemon Glazed Cookies by A Cedar Spoon
-
Healthier Lemon Bars by Texanerin Baking
-
Lemon Sugar Cookies by What Megan's Making
-
Light Lemon Mousse by Country Cleaver
-
Lemon Sugar Cookie Sandwiches by i am baker
-
Mini Lemon Cheesecakes with Gingersnap Crust by The Law Student's Wife
Kaylene says
Thanks for sharing the lemon chip recipe! I'm wondering how long they keep for/how far in advance can I make them? They'll be used in the same way. I can't wait to try them!
Nikki Gladd says
Hi Kaylene,
I wish I could be more help, but I only made these to use immediately so not sure how long they will store.
Elise says
I saw this same recipe on Marthastewart.com and it said that they could be stored for a day or two in an airtight container.
Anonymous says
I noticed that the milk, lemon juice and zest are not included in the procedure. why is that? 🙂
Nikki Gladd says
Wow! You're right! I read it over and over just now and it definitely was missing! Just updated it to fix it. Thank you!
Lisa says
Can we eat the lemon chips too? Love them. Thanks!
Nikki Gladd says
Hi Lisa,
Yes, they are edible. 🙂
Nutmeg Nanny says
Lemon cupcakes are my favorite!! I love the candied lemon on top, so cute 🙂
[email protected] says
The cupcakes are gorgeous! LOVE the candied lemon chips!
Deborah says
Oh my goodness - these are GORGEOUS! Love, love, love them!
Paula - bell'alimento says
Pucker up! These look amazing.
Erin @ The Spiffy Cookie says
Those lemon chips are gorgeous!
Kelsey says
Nikki, these are gorgeous! I love the candied lemon "chips." They look like tiny little stained glass windows. What a sweet surprise for Liz!
Mary-Clay @ Cooking with the King says
The lemon-themed shower you guys threw for Liz was so cute! 🙂 Your cupcakes look delicious - I love the lemon chips!
Erin @ Texanerin Baking says
What a thoughtful thing to make, with the chips and all. 😀 And those chips look SO neat! I've never heard of them.
Good luck with your car situation! 🙂
Lauren @ Climbing Grier Mountain says
OMG! Nikki, these are freaking adorable!!
The Healthy Apple says
So cute and so creative. LOVE these; hope you are well darling! xoxooxx
Liz @ The Lemon Bowl says
I can't believe you worked CHIPS into a dessert recipe!!! You are so amazing. I heart you and miss you. Come back. xoxoxooxx
Meagan @ A Zesty Bite says
Umm lemon chips --- need I say more! I want a whole bag of just those.
Amanda says
These are BEYOND adorable!! What a genius was to incorporate lemon... I must make them! Great job!
Rachel Cooks says
These are PERFECT, Nikki! And soooo pretty!
Miss @ Miss in the Kitchen says
Now I want lemon "chips" for breakfast! These are no kidding, absolutely gorgeous! I'm know Liz will love these!
Caroline @ chocolate & carrots says
Wow! Those lemon chips are amazing! 😀 What a show stopper. It was a pleasure bringing dessert with you to the shower, Nikki!
ashley - baker by nature says
*lemonlicious
ashley - baker by nature says
Hello, beautiful! These cupcakes are kemonlicious stunners!!!