Best Lemon Cream Cheese Cupcakes Recipes

CARROT CAKE CUPCAKES WITH LEMON CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. For the Cupcakes, mix flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt in large bowl. Add oil, eggs and vanilla; mix well. Add carrots; mix until well blended. Spoon batter into 24 paper-lined muffin cups, filling each cup 2/3 full.
• Bake 20 minutes or until toothpick inserted into cupcake comes out clean. Cool in pans on wire rack 5 minutes. Remove from pans; cool completely.
• For the Frosting, beat cream cheese, butter and lemon extract in large bowl until light and fluffy. Gradually beat in confectioners' sugar until smooth. If frosting is too thick to spread, gradually beat in milk. Frost cooled cupcakes with frosting.

LEMON CUPCAKES WITH LEMON CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

Steps:

• Line twenty-four 2 1/2-inch muffin cups with paper bake cups; set aside. In a medium bowl combine flour, baking powder, soda, and salt. Set aside.
• In a large mixing bowl beat butter with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds. Add sugar and beat until well combined. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each. Add flour mixture and buttermilk or sour milk alternately to beaten mixture, beating on low speed after each addition just until combined. Stir in lemon peel and lemon juice (batter may appear slightly curdled). Divide evenly among prepared muffin cups.
• Bake in a 350° oven for 15 to 18 minutes or until a wooden toothpick inserted near the center of the cupcakes comes out clean. Cool cakes in pans for 5 minutes; remove from pans and cool thoroughly on wire racks.**.
• When completely cooled, pipe or spread with Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting. Decorate as desired with additional piped frosting, edible flowers (pesticide-free), shaved white chocolate, and lemon zest. Store frosted cupcakes in a covered container and keep refrigerated. Makes 24 cupcakes.
• Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting: Finely shred 1 teaspoon lemon peel; set aside. In a medium mixing bowl combine two 3-ounce packages cream cheese, softened; 1/2 cup butter, softened; and 1 teaspoon lemon juice; beat with electric mixer on low to medium speed until light and fluffy. Gradually add 2 cups sifted powdered sugar, beating well. Gradually beat in 2 1/2 to 2 3/4 cups additional powdered sugar to make frosting that is easy to spread. Stir in the lemon peel. If desired, tint some of the frosting with pink gel icing color for decorating.
• *NOTE: To make sour milk, place 1 tablespoon lemon juice or vinegar in a glass measuring cup, then add enough milk to make 1 cup. Let stand 5 minutes before using.
• **MAKE AHEAD: Freeze unfrosted cupcakes in a freezer container for up to 3 months. Bring to room temperature before frosting. The frosting can be made up to 3 days ahead, covered, and refrigerated. Set out at room temperature to soften enough to spread.

LEMON BLUEBERRY CUPCAKES WITH LEMON CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

Steps:

• For the cupcakes: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line cupcake tins with 24 paper liners.
• Mix the flour, soda and salt together in a bowl. Set aside. Add the butter and sugar to a mixing bowl and cream until light and fluffy. Add the eggs 1 at a time and mix thoroughly. Add the vanilla and lemon zest and mix to combine. Add the dry mixture in 3 parts alternating with the sour cream, ending with dry mixture. Stir in the blueberries. Fill the prepared tins two-thirds full and bake 16 to 20 minutes. Cool.
• For the frosting: Cream the butter and cream cheese until smooth. Add the vanilla, lemon zest and juice and blend until combined. Add the powdered sugar gradually until combined.
• Frost the cooled cupcakes with the cream cheese frosting.
• This recipe was created by a contestant during a cooking competition. The Food Network Kitchens have not tested it for home use, therefore, we cannot make any representation as to the results.

STRAWBERRY CUPCAKES WITH LEMON ZEST CREAM CHEESE ICING

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Line 14 cupcake cups with paper liners.
• To make strawberry puree, pulse frozen strawberries in blender or food processor until evenly chopped. Add 2 tablespoons water, honey, 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest, and sugar. Blend until smooth.
• Beat cake mix, 1 cup water, eggs, and vegetable oil in a large bowl with an electric mixer on low speed until moistened; increase mixer speed to medium and beat for 2 minutes. Beat lemon zest into batter. Fill prepared cupcake cups 2/3 full. Drop a spoonful of strawberry puree into the center of each portion of cupcake batter.
• Bake cupcakes in preheated oven until golden and the tops spring back when lightly pressed, 18 to 22 minutes. A toothpick inserted near the center should come out clean. Let cupcakes cool for at least 30 minutes.
• To make icing, place cream cheese and butter in a bowl and beat with an electric mixer until smooth. Mix in confectioners' sugar; blend in vanilla extract, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Refrigerate icing until cupcakes are cool enough to frost. Frost cooled cupcakes with icing.

FIGUEROA CUPCAKES: CHUNKY LEMON FIG CAKE, SALTED HONEY FIG COMPOTE, CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

Steps:

• For the cupcakes: Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Line muffin pans with 24 muffin liners. In a medium bowl, whisk the flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt until well combined. In the bowl of an electric mixer with the paddle attachment, cream the butter, oil and brown sugar. Add the eggs, one at a time, scraping the bowl as needed. Add the figs and lemon zest and mix for about a minute until well combined. With the mixer on low, gradually add the flour mixture just until combined. Then remove from the mixer and scrape by hand. Fill the prepared muffin pans three-quarters full with batter and bake until a toothpick inserted comes out clean, about 24 minutes.
• For the fig compote: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the figs, granulated sugar, 1/4 cup water and the honey. Bring to a boil and stir until the water has evaporated and the figs are soft. Add the sea salt and refrigerate until cool.
• For the frosting: Whip the cream cheese and butter in an electric mixer with the paddle attachment until fully incorporated. With the mixer on low, gradually add the powdered sugar until combined. Add the vanilla and mix until fully incorporated.
• To assemble: Use a knife to make a hole in the center of the cupcakes. Fill with salted honey fig compote, and then frost with cream cheese frosting.

GINGERBREAD CUPCAKES WITH LEMON CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

Steps:

• Into a bowl sift together the flour, the ground ginger, the cinnamon, the cloves, the allspice, and the salt. In another bowl cream 1/2 stick of the butter, add the granulated sugar, and beat the mixture until it is fluffy. Beat in the molasses and the egg, beating until the mixture is smooth. In a measuring cup combine the baking soda with 1/2 cup boiling water and stir the mixture to dissolve the baking soda. Stir the mixture into the molasses mixture (the mixture will appear curdled) and stir the molasses mixture into the flour mixture, stirring to combine the ingredients well. Line twelve 1/2-cup muffin tins with paper liners and spoon the batter into the liners, filling them halfway. Bake the cupcakes in the middle of a preheated 350°F. oven for 20 minutes, or until a tester comes out clean. (The cupcakes will be flat or slightly indented on top.) Transfer the cupcakes to a rack and let them cool.
• In a bowl cream together the cream cheese, and the remaining 2 tablespoons butter, add the confectioners' sugar and the vanilla, and beat the mixture until it is fluffy and smooth. Beat in the zest and the lemon juice and chill the frosting for 30 minutes. Spread the frosting on the cupcakes and top each cupcake with some of the crystallized ginger.

LEMON CUPCAKES WITH BLUEBERRY COMPOTE FILLING AND CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

Steps:

• For the cupcakes: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Fill the cupcake pan with paper liners.
• Beat the granulated sugar and butter until light and fluffy in a standing mixer. Beat in the eggs. Add the lemon zest and juice and beat until combined.
• Sift the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a separate bowl. Alternately add the buttermilk and flour mixture to the standing mixer, beating well between each addition.
• Fill the cupcake liners two-thirds full. Bake the cupcakes until a toothpick inserted comes out clean, 18 to 22 minutes. Refrigerate the cupcakes until they are completely cooled.
• For the filling: Cook 1/3 cup water, 1 cup of the blueberries and granulated sugar over medium heat for 10 minutes, stirring frequently. Once the blueberries begin to burst, add the remaining 1 cup blueberries and cook on medium heat, 8 to 10 minutes. The filling is done when it coats the back of a metal spoon.
• For the frosting: Beat the butter and cream cheese until light and fluffy in a standing mixer. Add the powdered sugar, vanilla and salt. Beat until light and fluffy.
• Core the cupcakes using an apple corer. Fill each cupcake core with the blueberry compote filling and top with the cream cheese frosting.

LEMONADE CUPCAKES WITH LEMON CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

Steps:

• Cake: Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Remove 2 tablespoons lemonade concentrate from can and discard or reserve for other use.
• Combine remaining lemonade concentrate, cake mix, sour cream, cream cheese and eggs in large bowl.
• Add food coloring (if desired) and mix thoroughly.
• Beat with mixer until well blended.
• Spoon batter into paper-lined muffin tins, filling 3/4 full.
• Bake at 350 for 20 minutes or until cooked through.
• Cool completely before frosting with Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting.
• Frosting: In a large bowl, cream together all ingredients until thick, smooth, and spreadable; use immediately.
• Store frosted goods covered in the refrigerator; bring to room temperature before serving.

LEMON-RASPBERRY CUPCAKES WITH RASPBERRY-BALSAMIC CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Line 2 muffin pans with cupcake liners.
• In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside.
• In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter and granulated sugar until pale and fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Scrape the bowl as needed. Beat in the lemon zest and vanilla extract until combined. With the mixer on the lowest speed, add the flour mixture in three additions, alternating with two additions of the buttermilk and lemon juice. Mix until just combined after each addition. Scrape the bowl as needed. Gently fold in the raspberries.
• Fill the cupcake liners three-quarters full with batter and bake until a wooden toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 25 minutes. Transfer the pans to wire racks to cool completely before frosting.
• Frost the cupcakes with the Raspberry-Balsamic Cream Cheese Frosting.
• In a small bowl, mix the raspberries with the granulated sugar and let stand for 15 minutes.
• Place the raspberries in a small saucepan and add 1 tablespoon of the balsamic vinegar. Let simmer over medium heat for 15 minutes; the raspberries should cook down and create a sauce. Then crush the berries or run through a blender for a smoother frosting. Set aside to cool.
• Mix the remaining 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar into the raspberry sauce and set aside.
• In a large bowl or the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with paddle attachment, beat the cream cheese and butter until creamy. Add 1/2 cup of the powdered sugar and beat until combined. Add the raspberry sauce and beat until combined. Add the remaining powdered sugar, a bit at a time, and beat until creamy. Add more sugar if a thicker consistency is desired.

GINGERBREAD CUPCAKES WITH LEMON CREAM-CHEESE FROSTING

Steps:

• Into a bowl sift together the flour, the ground ginger, the cinnamon, the cloves, the allspice, and the salt. In another bowl cream 1/2 stick of the butter, add the granulated sugar, and beat the mixture until it is fluffy.
• Beat in the molasses and the egg, beating until the mixture is smooth. In a measuring cup combine the baking soda with 1/2 cup boiling water and stir the mixture to dissolve the baking soda.
• Stir the mixture into the molasses mixture (the mixture will appear curdled) and stir the molasses mixture into the flour mixture, stirring to combine the ingredients well.
• Line twelve 1/2-cup muffin tins with paper liners and spoon the batter into the liners, filling them halfway. Bake the cupcakes in the middle of a preheated 350°F oven for 20 minutes, or until a tester comes out clean. (The cupcakes will be flat or slightly indented on top.)
• Transfer the cupcakes to a rack and let them cool.
• In a bowl cream together the cream cheese, and the remaining 2 tablespoons butter, add the confectioners' sugar and the vanilla, and beat the mixture until it is fluffy and smooth.
• Beat in the zest and the lemon juice and chill the frosting for 30 minutes. Spread the frosting on the cupcakes and top each cupcake with some of the crystallized ginger.

BLUE VELVET, BLACKBERRY CURD, AND BLACKBERRY LEMON CREAM CHEESE CUPCAKES

Steps:

• For the cupcakes: Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Line a cupcake or muffin pan with 24 regular-size cupcake liners.
• Place the oil, buttermilk, eggs, vinegar, vanilla, and sugar in the bowl of an electric stand mixer and beat with the paddle attachment until thoroughly mixed. Sift the flour, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder together and slowly add to the mixer on low speed. Scrape down the bowl thoroughly, as needed. Add the food colorings in a steady stream until desired shade is achieved; it should appear bluish-purple. Beat for another 3 minutes. Scrape the bowl one last time and mix for 30 seconds by hand.
• Fill the cupcake liners two-thirds full with batter and bake until they form a semi-hard crust on top, about 25 minutes. Immediately remove the cupcakes from their pan and place on a cooling rack.
• For the blackberry curd filling: Bring the blackberries and water to a boil in a medium-size saucepan. Turn down the heat to low and simmer until the blackberries are soft and separate easily, about 5 minutes. Transfer the mixture to a sieve and pass through using a spoon to help mash the blackberries. Discard the pulp and reserve the juice. Place the flour and sugar in a clean saucepan and slowly pour in the blackberry juice, reserving 2 tablespoons. Whisk constantly. When thoroughly combined, add the whole eggs and egg yolks, whisking and cooking until the mixture thickens. When the curd has formed, after about 7 minutes, remove from the heat and stir in the butter. Cover tightly and place in the refrigerator until fully chilled.
• For the cream cheese frosting: Beat the cream cheese and butter together in the bowl of an electric stand mixer until pale and creamy. Add the blackberry juice and lemon zest and continue to beat until the color is even. (The lemon zest has a tendency to adhere to the beater blade. When removing from the mixer bowl, be sure to scrape this off and blend back into the frosting by hand.) Reduce the speed to low and slowly begin adding the confectioners' sugar. Keep adding until the frosting has a medium-stiff consistency. You may not require the full 5 cups sugar. Beat on high speed for a further 2 minutes, scraping down the bowl as needed.
• To assemble: Remove the center of each cupcake using an apple corer. Fill the cavity with the blackberry curd until it is level with the top of the cake. Pipe the frosting on top using a plain pastry tip. Crumble one of the cakes into small pieces and scatter a few crumbles on top of each cake so that it adheres to the frosting. Garnish with a whole fresh blackberry, if desired.

STRAWBERRY CUPCAKES WITH LEMON ZEST CREAM CHEESE ICING

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Line 14 cupcake cups with paper liners.
• To make strawberry puree, pulse frozen strawberries in blender or food processor until evenly chopped. Add 2 tablespoons water, honey, 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest, and sugar. Blend until smooth.
• Beat cake mix, 1 cup water, eggs, and vegetable oil in a large bowl with an electric mixer on low speed until moistened; increase mixer speed to medium and beat for 2 minutes. Beat lemon zest into batter. Fill prepared cupcake cups 2/3 full. Drop a spoonful of strawberry puree into the center of each portion of cupcake batter.
• Bake cupcakes in preheated oven until golden and the tops spring back when lightly pressed, 18 to 22 minutes. A toothpick inserted near the center should come out clean. Let cupcakes cool for at least 30 minutes.
• To make icing, place cream cheese and butter in a bowl and beat with an electric mixer until smooth. Mix in confectioners' sugar; blend in vanilla extract, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Refrigerate icing until cupcakes are cool enough to frost. Frost cooled cupcakes with icing.

LEMON-CREAM CHEESE CUPCAKES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Beat first 5 ingredients in large bowl with mixer on low speed 1 min. or until dry ingredients are moistened. (Batter will be thick.) Beat on medium speed 2 min. Spoon into 24 paper-lined muffin cups.
• Bake 21 to 24 min. or until toothpick inserted in centres comes out clean. Cool in pans 10 min.; remove to wire racks. Cool completely.
• Beat cream cheese, butter and lemon juice in large bowl with mixer until well blended. Gradually add sugar, beating well after each addition. Spread onto cupcakes.

CREAM CHEESE TRIPLE-LEMON CUPCAKES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350ºF.
• Beat cake mix, 1 pkg. Neufchatel, pudding mix, water and eggs in large bowl with mixer just until moistened. (Batter will be thick.) Beat on medium speed 2 min. Spoon into 24 paper-lined muffin cups.
• Bake 21 to 24 min. or until toothpick inserted in centers comes out clean. Cool in pans 10 min. Remove to wire racks; cool completely.
• Beat remaining Neufchatel, butter and juice with mixer until blended. Gradually beat in sugar until blended. Frost cupcakes.

LEMON CUPCAKES WITH CREAM CHEESE ICING

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Beat cake mix with water, egg whites and oil. Add dry pudding mix and beat in a large bowl with electric mixer on low speed until moistened. (Batter will be thick.) Beat on medium speed 2 minutes. Spoon batter evenly into 24 paper-lined muffin tins.
• Bake 21-24 minutes or until wooden toothpick inserted in centers comes out clean. Cool in pans 10 minutes; remove to wire racks. Cool completely.
• Meanwhile, beat sugar, cream cheese, butter and lemon juice with electric mixer on low speed until well blended. Frost cupcakes.

GINGERBREAD CUPCAKES WITH LEMON CREAM-CHEESE FROSTING

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Into a bowl sift together the flour, ground ginger, cinnamon, ground cloves, allspice and salt. In another bowl cream 1/2 stick of the butter, add the granulated sugar and beat the mixture until it is fluffy. Beat in the molasses and the egg, beating until the mixture is smooth. In a measuring cup combine the baking soda with 1/2 cup boiling water and stir the mixture to dissolve the baking soda. Stir the baking-soda mixture into the molasses mixture (the mixture will appear curdled) then stir the molasses mixture into the flour mixture, stirring to combine the ingredients well. Line 12 muffin tins with paper liners and spoon the batter into the liners, filling them halfway. Bake the cupcakes in the middle of the oven for 20 minutes, or until tester comes out clean. The cupcakes may be slightly flat or indented on top. Transfer the cupcakes to a rack and let cool. In a bowl, cream together the cream cheese and the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter, add the confectioners' sugar and the vanilla and beat the mixture until it is fluffy and smooth. Beat in the lemon zest and the lemon juice and chill the frosting for 30 minutes. Spread the frosting on the cupcakes and top each cupcake with some of the crystallized ginger, if desired. Makes 12 cupcakes.

LEMON-CREAM CHEESE CUPCAKES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350ºF.
• Beat first 5 ingredients in large bowl with mixer until blended. (Batter will be thick.) Spoon into 24 paper-lined muffin cups.
• Bake 21 to 24 min. or until toothpick inserted in centers comes out clean. Cool in pans 10 min. Remove to wire racks; cool completely.
• Beat cream cheese, butter and lemon juice in large bowl with mixer until blended. Gradually beat in sugar until blended. Spread onto cupcakes.

LEMON-CREAM CHEESE CUPCAKES

Steps:

• 1. Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Beat cake mix, pudding mix, water, egg whites and oil in large bowl with mixer on low speed until moistened. (Batter will be thick.) Beat on medium speed 2 min. Spoon batter evenly into 24 paper-lined 2-1/2-inch muffin cups. 2. Bake 21 to 24 min. or until toothpick inserted in centers comes out clean. Cool in pans 10 min.; remove to wire racks. Cool completely. 3. Meanwhile, beat sugar, cream cheese, butter and juice with mixer on low speed until well blended. Frost cupcakes.

CUPCAKES WITH LEMON CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

Steps:

• Reserve 1 Tbsp. drink mix. Place remaining drink mix in large bowl. Add water measure listed on cake mix package; stir until drink mix is dissolved. Add cake mix with oil and eggs (listed on cake mix package); beat with mixer until blended. Stir in food coloring. Spoon into 24 paper-lined muffin cups.
• Bake as directed on package for cupcakes. Cool in pan 10 min. Remove from pan to wire racks. Cool completely.
• Beat reserved drink mix and remaining ingredients with mixer until blended; spread onto cupcakes.