Monday, April 9, 2012

Lemon Raspberry Cupcakes

I had an epiphany this weekend: I hadn't made cupcakes in, like, months. I might as well be saying I hadn't breathed in months, it's that serious. 

For me, baking, particularly baking cupcakes, is akin to living. Since I just wrapped up a 30-day paleo challenge, I felt like the Easter weekend was an opportune time to try out my new Springtime cupcake falvor, Lemon Raspberry.
Generally, I don't waver in my opinion of my abilities, but I'll be honest...I wasn't sure I still knew how to bake. I mean, I cook all the time, but was it possible I could have fallen out of practice in the last few months? Might I not be able to get the right pouf in the cake? Would the frosting be too runny? Oh god. What if they were just--ugly?!?!
You'll be glad to know my fears were completely unfounded. I'd like to be able to say "hey you guys, it's just like riding a bike!" but those of you that know me personally know I never learned how to ride a bike, so I can't substantiate that comparison.

So yeah, these were incredible and quite popular among the friends I shared them with Saturday night. The lemon cake is fluffy, and when filled with lemon curd, the perfect amount of tart, which is paired perfectly with the sweet raspberry buttercream on top.
I'm pretty sure if there's fruit in them, cupcakes have no calories.

I'm pretty sure.

Lemon Raspberry Cupcakes
Makes about 2 dozen


For the cake

  • 2 1/4 cups cake flour
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 1/4 cups buttermilk
  • 4 large egg whites
  • 1 1/2 cups sugar
  • lemon zest from two lemons
  • 1 stick (8 tablespoons) unsalted butter, at room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • juice of half a lemon
  • 1 jar good quality lemon curd (or you can make your own)
For the buttercream
  • 2 sticks unsalted butter, room temp
  • 1 pint of raspberries
  • 4-6 cups powdered sugar
  • 2 Tbsp. milk

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line two cupcake pans with cupcake liners.
2. Combine cake flour, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl.
3. Whisk buttermilk and egg whites in another bowl to combine.
4. In a stand mixer, combine sugar and lemon zest on low speed until the sugar is fragrant and moist. Add butter and beat at full speed until the butter and sugar are light and fluffy, at least 3 minutes.
5. Add vanilla and lemon juice to the butter mixture. Then add 1/3 of the dry ingredients on medium speed until incorporated. Then add half of the milk mixture until just incorporated. Continue to add the flour and then the milk, ending with the flour mixture until all the ingredients are combined. Finally, beat the batter another minute or two to ensure everything is combined and aerated.
6. Using an ice scream scoop, divide the batter into cupcake liners about 3/4 full. Bake for 18-22 minutes, or until a cake tester comes out clean. Allow to cool.
7. While cupcakes are cooling, make the buttercream. Whip the butter in a stand mixer on high until light and fluffy. Add powdered sugar in 1 cup increments until you get it to the sweetness you desire.
8. In a food processor, puree raspberries. Add the puree to the buttercream and continue to whip until the puree is well incorporated. Add milk if needed to get a thinner consistency.
9. Refrigerate for a few minutes while cupcakes continue to cool. 
10. Using a pairing knife or an apple corer, remove the center of the cupcake about halfway down. Fill the hole with a dollop of lemon curd. Top with buttercream and a fresh raspberry before serving.

12 comments:

Tulips & Tulle said...

These look amazing!

http://www.tulipsandtulle.blogspot.com/

Julie said...

Oh My! Those look amazing
Yum :)

Erin @ Currently Coveting said...

That sounds so good! I was thinking of trying a lemon blueberry cupcake and your recipe seems like a great one to piggy back off of! I too make cupcakes constantly (once you become the designated cupcake maker there's no turning back).

Hope you had a fabulous weekend!

XO,
Erin
http://erinscurrentlycoveting.blogspot.com/

sip-n-wear said...

oh yummmmmm and so pretty!

Blue Dog Belle said...

Wow! This look amazing! and are so springy! Love it!

VANESSA said...

OMG yum!!! I just had left over cupcakes for breakfast! They were so good but kinda kicked my ass mentally. I felt ashamed for about an hour. OH WELL! ;)

xo!! Vanessa

Star Vogue said...

YUM YUM YUM :) great blog now following :)
http://starvogue84.blogspot.com

Jenna | The Eighty Twenty said...

Melissa these look SO good! Obviously. Will you bring these to Megans this summer?

Lydia Armstrong said...

These look so good. And I'm really hungry. I want to eat these so bad. When I finally make it up there, I will take you thrifting in exchange for making me cupcakes. Congrats on finishing the Paleo challenge!! How'd it go?

Sunshine - www.cancersurvivor26.blogger.com said...

Those look delish!

www.cancerinthecity.com

Megan | Freckled Italian said...

I like what Jenna said, especially because there ain't NOTHING I love more than a good lemon cake. BRING THEM.

Erica said...

get outta here with this. i'm making these right away. holy filling!!

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