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Tangy lemon cupcakes bursting with sweet and juicy blueberries, topped with a creamy lemon buttercream.
This recipe is a longggg time coming. And I mean LONG. I spoke about these cupcakes 2 years ago in my Failed Recipes of 2015, and I said then that I needed to bring them to the blog soon. “Soon,” apparently, is a relative word in this case.
Although, I did semi-bring them to you last year, just without the blueberries, in the form of triple lemon cupcakes! But, that’s grasping at straws, really, because blueberry lemon cupcakes are in a league of their own, my friends.
And if I know anything about my readers, it’s that you love blueberry + lemon together, so today, we’re celebrating big time!
There is truly nothing fancy about these lemon cupcakes. They get all of their amazing flavor from the zest and juice of 2 lemons, and let me tell you, they are jam packed full of lemon flavor. The cupcakes are sweet, but they’re also nowhere near too sweet, so all of that tangy lemon shines right through every bite.
The sweetness and added flavor bursts definitely come through via fresh blueberries. You can certainly use frozen, just don’t thaw before use! A little toss in some flour will insure they stay afloat in the cupcakes and don’t all sink to the bottom.
Of course, a couple more bluebs on the tops of the filled cupcake liners never hurt anyone. In fact, they make for beautiful blueberry bursts all over the tops! Added top bluebs: highly encouraged.
The star of the show, in my opinion, is the creamy lemon buttercream that goes on top of these delectable blueberry lemon cuppies. It is sweet, tangy, smooth, and great for all sorts of confections (aka try it on white cake or OHHHHH strawberry cake!!!!!).
It’s very simple, and will require the zest and almost all of the juice of one more lemon. Two lemons in the cupcakes, one lemon in the buttercream.
Man, oh, man! We are in lemon business, aren’t we?!
Once you get a bite of these cupcakes, you’ll totally understand why the world can’t seem to ever get enough of blueberries + lemons. Are they the new “it” couple? It’s possible. And I wouldn’t blame the world for deeming that so.
Especially if cupcakes are involved, amirite?
Blueberry Lemon Cupcakes with Lemon Buttercream
Ingredients
CUPCAKES
- 1 and 1/2 cups + 1 Tablespoon all purpose flour divided
- 2 and 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter softened to room temperature
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs room temperature*
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup milk any
- juice and zest of 2 lemons
- 3/4 cup blueberries fresh or frozen-- if frozen, do not thaw
LEMON BUTTERCREAM
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter softened to room temperature
- 4 to 5 cups powdered sugar
- zest of one lemon
- 2 and 1/2 Tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 Tablespoons milk or cream
Instructions
CUPCAKES
- Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Line a 12 count cupcake pan with cupcake liners.
- In a medium size bowl, toss together 1 and 1/2 cups of the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large bowl with a handheld mixer or the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter and sugar on medium-high speed until light and fluffy (about 3 minutes). Add each egg, one at a time, beating on medium-high speed until fully incorporated, scraping down the sides as necessary. Add the vanilla extract and lemon zest and beat again until combined.
- Stir the lemon juice into the milk. Scrape down the sides of the mixer bowl and turn the mixer speed to low. Add the flour in 2 additions, alternating with the milk/lemon juice. Remove bowl from mixer and stir with a spatula until everything is completely combined. Toss the blueberries in the remaining 1 Tablespoon of flour, then gently fold into the batter with a spatula.
- Spoon batter evenly into prepared cupcake liners (I prefer to use an ice cream scoop with a trigger) and top with a couple extra blueberries, if desired. Bake cupcakes 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center of a cupcake comes out clean. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely before decorating.
LEMON BUTTERCREAM
- In a medium size bowl with a handheld mixer, or a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter on medium speed until creamy, about 2 minutes.
- With the mixer on low, add in the powdered sugar, lemon zest, lemon juice, and milk or cream. Increase mixer speed to medium and beat until completely smooth, about 3 minutes. If frosting is too stiff, add more milk. If it is too thin, add more powdered sugar.
ASSEMBLE CUPCAKES
- Frost the cupcakes using a large zip top bag with the corner snipped off or a pastry bag fitted with a Wilton #12 piping tip.
- Store cupcakes covered tightly at room temperature up to 4 days or in the refrigerator up to 6 days.
Notes
Liz S. says
My favorite kind of cupcake is French Vanilla (ideally with some white chocolate frosting).
Harmony B says
I make chocolate and peanut butter cupcakes. they are my #1. but I’ve never turned down a cupcake.
Stephanie Carroll says
I love fun-fetti cupcakes!
Kimmy says
My Chloe Pearl wants to be a baker when she grows up and we love to make rainbow cupcakes together. So much fun!
Denise M says
I love red velvet cupcakes
grace says
carrot cake cupcakes–alliterative and delicious! 🙂
Amy Heffernan says
I just LOVE LOVE oatmeal cupcakes. 😀 YUM!!! Thank you!
Email–> amyjaneheffernan@gmail.com
Ashley Chouinard says
Nutella! There’s nothing better! 😉
Shannon says
I remember this cupcake flavor 😏 All things cookies and cream! BUT, your s’mores cake looks like it could be a close 2nd!
Brenda Penton says
My favourite kind of cupcakes is red velvet with cream cheese frosting.
Tim says
I like any and all kinds of cupcakes. It doesn’t hurt if they have cream cheese frosting, but my wife makes a German chocolate cupcake with the traditional German chocolate frosting that is one of my favorites. I don’t think you can make a bad one.
Amy Antonacci says
I am a chocolate cupcake kinda girl…
kristi caligiure says
Hopefully these will be, although I haven’t made them yet. Strawberry are my favorite now.
Natalie says
I love gingerbread cupcakes with a light espresso buttercream. It’s just like a gingerbread latte but way better because icing. And cake.
Gail Johnson Draper says
My favorite to bake and EAT are Churro cupcakes! Cinnamon cupcakes coated with sugar and cinnamon crunch topping…cream cheese and cinnamon frosting and a churro piece on top!!!
karen r says
My favorite is a vanilla cupcake with chocolate frosting.
Liz says
Chocolate cake and chocolate buttercream icing!
edmontonjb says
I love vanilla cupcakes with chocolate buttercream frosting
~Jonnie
Carolsue says
I like Reese’s Peanut Butter Cupcakes!
Amanda Carlisle says
I love strawberry cupcakes with a vanilla buttercream. Yum!
Courtney says
I love lemon & blueberry everything, if I have to pick one, this would be it. I have always favored vanilla, but I think lemon is definitely taking over. And over course extra Bluebs!
Erin says
This recipe looks amazing! My dad’s birthday is coming up and I think I just figured out what to make for him! 🙂
My favorite cupcake is chocolate with vanilla icing.
Sarah @ Sarah's Bake Studio says
These seriously look to.die.for! I’ve never had the blueberry/lemon combo, but I certainly want to now! I am SO going to be making these! My favorite cupcake…snickerdoodle cupcakes with cinnamon buttercream. I <3 cinnamon, for reals! 🙂
Amy says
This flavour combination has my mouth watering! So delicious and fresh and the colours are so pretty! I love these papers too! They hold their colour so well in the oven.
I know I can’t enter the competition but my favourite cupcake is vanilla with passionfruit curd and white chocolate buttercream (we’re making them for the wedding too!),
We are definitely going to have a batch of these on our table soon!
Gail Waterhouse says
Either vanilla cupcakes with chocolates frosting, or chocolate cupcakes with vanilla buttercream., but honestly like almost every kind. Anxious to try these Blueberry Lemon ones 🙂
susitravl says
Mocha cupcakes are my favorite.
Brenda Haines says
Carrot cupcakes, made with apple sauce and topped with a homemade cream cheese frosting. Yum!!
jujubee777 says
black bottom!
Angela says
I love pumpkin cupcakes with chocolate chips!
Annamarie V says
My favorite is the classic yellow cake with milk chocolate frosting, I also like a really good lemon cupcake with cream cheese frosting.
manda says
I like vanilla with buttercream
Julie says
I’m a traditionalist-yellow with chocolate frosting!
Kimberly says
I’m a chocolate girl through and through! A great chocolate cupcake with some chocolate ganache…
Sam says
Love a chocolate cupcake!
Lyssa says
Black bottom cupcakes have to be my favorite! Yummm!
Jia Darens says
My first time trying this yummy cupcake last week, I’d have to say, It’s red velvet! I don’t know what it is about it. Maybe it’s the cream cheese
Cindi M says
I’d never turn down any cupcake, but my favorite of all is a classic carrot cupcake with cream cheese frosting…salivating just thinking about it!
Vunda V says
i love red velvet cupcakes!! nothing beats cream cheese frosting
Jess Krause says
My favorite cupcake is anything with Rainbow Jimmies on it! I’m a sucker for a classic vanilla/vanilla though!
Katja Beh-Forrest says
Chocolate with either pb frosting or strawberry frosting.
Jodi Pavlik says
I love yellow cupcakes with chocolate buttercream frosting!!
Bonnie Trueblood says
Vanilla bean!
Heather Mellor says
Pumpkin spice cupcakes are my favorite!
Danielle Haluska says
DO I have to decide on just one? I love them all….
The above look pretty awesome. But the chocolate chip ones I made for Samuel’s birthday were up there on being my favorite.
Leah | Grain Changer says
My favorite cupcake (and cake!) is carrot cake… or basically anything with cream cheese frosting 😉 BUT I’m sure after a bite of these babes I’d have a new fav. they look INCREDIBLE!
Vera K says
I like chocolate with chocolate frosting.
Denika Joiner says
Lemon cupcakes!
Nyla says
Flourless chocolate cupcakes are my absolute favorite!!
Trudy G says
My Favorite cupcakes are yellow with chocolate frosting!
Laura Hardin says
My favorite cupcake is white with white buttercream icing. Oh it makes me want one now!
Rachel says
My fave cupcake is chocolate everything!!!
Kaitlyn Robertson says
Funfetti!!
Shelby bursic says
Definitely funfetti but with a cream cheese buttercream!
Lynn says
Hey, Shelby! You’ve been randomly chosen as the winner of the goodie box! Please email me ASAP at freshaprilflours@gmail.com with your mailing address so we can get that out to you! Thanks!
Jonelle says
I love a plain old chocolate cupcake with chocolate frosting!
Diane Jones says
My favorite is a dark chocolate cupcake with a white frosting my mom used to make called Poor Man’s Whipped Cream.
Allison says
These cupcakes look so good! (and are my mom’s favourite type of cupcake). As for me, I love classic chocolate cupcakes with chocolate cream cheese frosting and chocolate ganache filling. Decedent and delicious!
Renee Hihn says
My favorite cupcake is a spiced cake with a cream cheese frosting. So good in the fall!
Laura S says
I would definitely love your cupcakes as my favorite kind is any kind with lemon in it!! Berries are always a plus too!!!
Tamara says
Can I use this lemon recipe without the blueberries? I see the lemon curd one but do not want an over powering lemon flavor.