Zingy Lemon Raspberry Cupcakes Recipes

LEMON-RASPBERRY CUPCAKES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners.
• Whisk together 1 1/2 cups flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a small bowl.
• Cream together sugar and butter until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs 1 at a time, making sure to thoroughly combine after each addition. Mix in lemon zest and vanilla extract. Stir in 1/2 of the flour mixture until just combined. Add in the sour cream and lemon juice, stirring until just combined. Add in the remaining flour mixture and stir to combine.
• Place raspberries in a small bowl. Sprinkle with 1 1/2 teaspoons flour and and toss to coat. Gently fold raspberries into the batter. Spoon batter into the prepared muffin cups, filling each 3/4 full.
• Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 20 to 23 minutes. Cool in the tin for 5 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack and let cool completely, about 20 minutes.
• Place raspberries for frosting in a small saucepan and cook over medium heat until they burst and release their juices, 5 to 10 minutes. Pour raspberries into a fine mesh sieve set over a medium bowl and use the back of a wooden spoon to press and extract approximately 1/3 cup juice from the berries. Discard seeds and allow juice to cool completely.
• Beat butter in a large bowl with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Beat in powdered sugar 1 cup at a time until incorporated. Mix in 1/3 cup raspberry juice, lemon juice, lemon zest, and salt; beat until combined. Pour in heavy cream and beat until frosting is light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
• Frost cooled cupcakes and top with additional raspberries, if desired.

RASPBERRY LEMON BUTTERCREAM

Steps:

• In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, whip butter for 8 minutes on medium speed (I use "4″ on my KitchenAid). Butter will become very pale & creamy. Add remaining ingredients and mix on low speed for 1 minute, then on medium speed for 6 minutes. Frosting will be very light, creamy, and fluffy. Best used right away.

ZINGY LEMON RASPBERRY CUPCAKES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325°F.
• Line cupcake pans with paper liners and spray the liners with non-stick spray. (It makes the liners peel off easier.).
• Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, lemon zest and salt in an electric mixer. Mix on low speed until combined.
• Add the butter, mixing until just coated with flour.
• In a bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, lemon juice and vanilla.
• With the mixer on medium speed, add the wet ingredients in 3 parts, scraping down the sides of bowl before each addition; beat until ingredients are incorporated but do not over-beat.
• Divide batter evenly among liners, filling about two-thirds full.
• Bake, rotating pan halfway through, until a cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean, 17 to 20 minutes.
• Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
• Repeat process with remaining batter. 
Should make about 30.
• Raspberry Cream Frosting~ In the electric mixer, beat the cream cheese, butter and jam together until smooth.
• Add the vanilla, salt and food coloring; mix until an even colored pink is reached.
• Turn the mixer on low and add the powdered sugar a little at a time to avoid a sugar cloud. Then turn the mixer up until the frosting is smooth.
• Place in the refrigerator until and cupcakes are cooled and ready to be frosted.
• Once the cupcakes are completely cool, frost the cupcakes and garnish with fresh raspberries.
• Makes 30 cupcakes.