Lemon. It is zesty and refreshing. I love how the sharp citrus flavour bursts in your mouth. These lemon cupcakes are the last of the “40th anniversary” series. I wanted to balance the sweeter coffee and chocolate flavours with something that had a little more bite.
These were made from my basic cake batter recipe. I used buttermilk instead of milk to increase the tangy flavour, and replaced vanilla with the zest of two lemons.
So now the ensemble is complete.
Chocolate
Vanilla
Coffee
Lemon
Happy 40 years in Australia.
To my kind and loving father, who passed away too soon, and too quickly, these are for you. (I think you would have liked the lemon! xxx)
To my beautiful and generous mother, happy 40th anniversary. Thank you for moving to a warm and welcoming country. To my birth land. My home.
{ Lemon Cupcakes }
Add more or less zest depending on your taste.
* Ingredients *
1 1/2 cups of plain / all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
125g unsalted butter (1 stick)
1 cup caster sugar
2 eggs
100 ml buttermilk
Zest of two lemons
* Directions *
Preheat the oven to 180C or 350F. Sift the flour and baking powder together. Set aside. Cream the butter and sugar until fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, scraping down the side of bowl as necessary. Beat in the zest. Mix in the flour in three parts, alternating with the milk. Spoon into cupcake wrappers and bake for 20 minutes or until cooked. Allow to cool, and then top with your favourite frosting or ganache.
Makes 12 cupcakes
{ Lemon Butter cream }
* Ingredients *
4 egg whites
1 cup sugar
250g or 2 sticks of unsalted butter
Zest of one lemon
* Directions *
In a bowl over simmering water, whisk the eggs whites and sugar. Cook until the sugar has dissolved and the temperature reaches 160F or 70C. Transfer the bowl to a stand mixer and on a medium speed, beat until you reach firm peaks, about 5 minutes. Slow the speed and add in the room temperature butter one piece at a time. If the mixture appears to curdle, keep beating on medium speed until smooth again. Add in zest or any other flavour combination until smooth.
Makes 4 cups
July 20, 2009 at 12:23 pm
These look awesome. I adore lemon and have been wanting to make some lemon cupcakes for awhile now. Thanks for the recipe.
July 20, 2009 at 12:50 pm
This cupcakes look great and refreshing!
July 20, 2009 at 2:57 pm
Delicious!
Cheers and have a great week,
Rosa
July 20, 2009 at 7:15 pm
What gorgeous photos, I feel like I could just pick one off, peel off the wrapper and eat it! I’d have to wait for you to add the lemon buttercream though… mmm.
July 20, 2009 at 7:49 pm
oh you went and made my eyes prick with tears!
that’s lovely, Julia.
x
July 20, 2009 at 8:49 pm
I just stumbled on your blog and I couldn’t help but squeal with delight at the wonderful creations here! I will definitely be a regular visitor of yours! Absolutely stunning photos!
July 20, 2009 at 9:57 pm
They look so zesty and golden! I just wanted to let you know I’m completely infatuated with your blog, I read it from start to finish. It’s absolutely gorgeous. And you’ve inspired me to attempt macarons for the first time!
July 21, 2009 at 12:37 am
Lemon, my favorite flavor! These look so good, Julia!
July 21, 2009 at 12:56 am
Looking very cute, also sound delicious. I just anything with lemon in it.
July 21, 2009 at 6:30 am
Lemon desserts are so refreshing. Your recipe reminds me a bit of the Maida Heatter buttermilk lemon cake recipe (except that cake is glazed with a lemon glaze instead of being frosted). Buttermilk and lemon is such a fabulous combination.
Your pictures are lovely.
July 21, 2009 at 8:36 am
I love the lemon cupcake recipe. This would be so nice at a tea party!
Julia I wanted to ask you.. can I make macarons with another nut like raw cashews.. or does it only work with almonds? 🙂
Thank you.. I think I’ll also take a look through your recipes! 🙂
July 21, 2009 at 3:59 pm
A very touching post. I’m also all for tangy cakes and desserts. Buttermilk and lemon are two beautiful flavours together.
July 21, 2009 at 5:51 pm
Happy anniversary Maman Melanger ! 🙂 Your father is probably puckering his lips and smiling down at you for sure. Oh absolutely. A wonderful post here – and I have to say, some of your best photos yet, or at least my favorites to date, really. Just superb. Thank you for sharing – the recipe, but most of all, this important date for your family, that’s being celebrated just right – beautifully and deliciously! 🙂
July 21, 2009 at 9:28 pm
Lovely post Julia and great cupcakes! I’ve just nominated you for a Kreativ Blogger Award, as I really enjoyed finding your blog and all the lovely recipes you post and the beautiful photography. All the best, Anita
July 22, 2009 at 1:55 am
mmm … lemon cupcakes ^^!!
July 22, 2009 at 2:08 am
A great dedicated post… never seen simple lemon cupcakes look so appetizing before…your pics is just superb 🙂
July 22, 2009 at 3:25 am
I love all of the cupcake posts you’ve had recently. Right now my house is being ripped apart; taking out old windows and putting in new. When the workmen leave and I have my house to myself again, I’m making some of your cupcakes!
July 23, 2009 at 12:46 am
a beautiful cupcake quartet to celebrate an important milestone! lovely!
July 23, 2009 at 9:13 am
Happy celebrations! Lemon cupcakes are one of my favourite flavours. What a nice way to commemorate your family’s 40 years in Australia!
July 24, 2009 at 1:34 pm
I’ve just come across your blog. Its absolutely gorgeous, well done on all aspects. This post is beautiful, the sentiment is lovely and what a wonderful way to celebrate the grand occasion.
July 30, 2009 at 7:01 pm
gratinee – how great is lemon. One of my favourites. Though I don’t think I eat enough lemon dessert.
Karine – thank you, they were zesty!
Rosa – thanks!
Indigo – sorry about not having the buttercream on the cupcake for you. 😉
the projectivist – I figure, my dad lives on through my memory, and my little thoughts like this. 🙂
Trisha – so glad you were happy to find my blog. Hope you like seeing lots of macarons! 😉
Steph – wow, thank you. I really do hope you try to make macarons. It’s so much fun when you get the first batch perfect.
Patricia – you don’t say? Loving that lemon delicious you had the other day….now I see the connection!
Elra – lemon is such an easy flavour to eat, in anything. I agree!!
Pragmaticattic – I haven’t heard of that recipe. I do find many recipes are similar in the baking world, out of necessity of chemistry I suppose. A lemon glaze would be lovely on these, too.
Laurie – I think I have responded to your question re: nuts. Did you try any yet? I’ve not seen any posted on your blog since…..would love to see!
Y – yes, love buttermilk and lemon. Do you use plain yoghurt in baking much?
Kerrin – thank you. Yes, I’m thinking he would be wanting a lemon cupcake for sure. 🙂
Anita – thank you. Thank you for the award. That is so lovely.
Gine – they were very mmmmmmm….
Zita – thank you. Yes, sometimes the plain, simple cakes are the best.
Eileen – wow, sounds like you’re having quite a bit of work done. Would love to see some cupcakes. Always admiring your lovely pastries!!!
Steph – thank you. Cupcake quartet. Love it.
Lorraine – thanks. I really do love baking for any celebration. Makes for happy memories later. 🙂
Maria – thank you so much. It’s always so nice to bake something for someone special.