1/2 pound (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
2 1/2 cups granulated sugar, divided
4 extra-large eggs, at room temperature or (9oz of egg)
1/3 cup grated lemon zest (6 to 8 large lemons)
3 cups all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice, divided
3/4 cup buttermilk, at room temperature
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
For the glaze
2 cups confectioners’ sugar, sifted+
3 1/2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
¼ tsp vanilla
Pinch salt
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment cream the butter and 2 cups granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
With the mixer on medium speed, add the eggs, 1 at a time adding the next after each egg is incorporated
add the lemon zest
In a separate bowl sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt
In another bowl, combine ½ cup lemon juice, the buttermilk, and vanilla.
Add the flour and buttermilk mixtures alternately to the mixing bowl, beginning and ending with the flour.
Divide the batter evenly between 12-16 cupcake liners
Place in the oven and bake for 20 minutes or until a toothpick poked into the center comes out clean
Combine 1/2 cup granulated sugar with 1/2 cup lemon juice in a small saucepan and cook over low heat until the sugar dissolves.
When the cupcakes are done, allow to cool for 10 minutes.
Remove the cakes from the pans and set them on a cooling rack set over a tray or sheet pan
With a wooden skewer or toothpick poke holes into the top of the cakes (the more holes the better)
With a pastry brush soak the lemon syrup over the tops of the cakes allowing time for syrup to absorb into the holes
Combine the confectioners’ sugar, salt, vanilla and the lemon juice in a bowl, mixing with a wire whisk until smooth. If mixture seems to thick to spread, pop in the microwave for about 30 seconds
Pour over the tops of the cakes and allow the glaze to drizzle down the sides.
21 Comments
Very cool muffin/cup cake liners. Where'd you get them?
High Plains- (I'm from Denver) the cupcake wrappers are from Michael's craft store here in LA.
Just beautiful, Louise. And Happy Birthday to a very lucky young guy.
They sound and look delicious. Where did you get the cute cupcake liners? Love them.
Michael did you get woke up early on your birthday? I have heard that is a tradition at your house!
The tradition at my house is my dad always sings his version of the Birthday Song, it goes like this…"This is your birthday song…it won't be very long…happy birthday" Hope you saved me a cupcake!
What a beautiful tribute to Michael! Hope he had a wonderful birthday! The cake sounds delicious and your presentation is absolutely stunning.
Michael is a luck fella. His cupcakes look and sound delightful and I'm sure he will have a wonderful birthday. Keep up the great work and you'll soon have a gazilion readers. Have a great day. Blessings…Mary
We share the same birthday – I love him already! And if he has you cooking for him, he's one lucky little guy
Your photographs are gorgeous. These look so delicious!
These cupcakes look so good. I shared your link with all my facebook friends.
Angela
these look so yummy! i saw your comment about the possible guest-post idea. it could be fun if we figure out the right details. thanks for thinking of me…i will email you over the weekend. cheers!
Those look so pretty and delicious! I really like your cupcake liners.
Cheers,
Rosa
These are just precious! So glad I found your blog. I love your writing style and photography, Louise. It's all just lovely!
THOSE are BEAUTIFUL! Bookmarked!
Great blog; happy I found you!
Mary xo
Delightful Bitefuls
Hmmm, I wrote a comment a couple of days ago, and I do not see it. Does not matter:)
This post brought tears to my eyes – your Michael sounds just like my youngest, Zoe.
Many happy returns to him on his (belated now) birthday.
Greetings from the neighborhood:)
oh these look spectacular and must be so yummy
Wow those look gorgeous! I love the little drips down the side. I've been using the Bella Cupcake Couture wrappers and they are pretty cool. I want to try these as well. Thanks for sharing where you got them. Do they have lots of designs?
These are beautiful. Where are the yellow pearl decorations from, I would love to get some!
these are absolutely beautiful. i love the presentation!
Those are so pretty! Anything with drizzle dripping down the side looks lovely, and the little pearly topping doesn't hurt either. Not to mention lemon buttermilk flavoring..
That's so sweet! I'm sure your baby boy had a wonderful birthday, with such an awesome mom, and loved his cupcakes. They're gorgeous!