Pink Lemonade Cupcakes Recipe
Bright and sweet, these cupcakes are a fun, citrusy twist perfect for any celebration.
Ingredients:
For the cupcakes:
• 1.5 cups all-purpose flour (sifted)
• 1.5 tsp baking powder
• A pinch of salt
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 stick of softened butter
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• ¾ cup whole milk
• ½ cup lemon curd
For the buttercream:
• 2 sticks of softened butter
• 4 cups confectioners’ sugar
• 2 tbsp milk
• Juice of half a lemon
• Pink gel food coloring
• Yellow gel food coloring
Directions:
Prep and Bake:
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
2. Line a muffin pan with cupcake liners.
3. Mix flour, baking powder, and salt in a small bowl.
4. In a large bowl, whisk eggs and sugar.
5. Add butter and vanilla to the egg mixture and mix well.
6. Alternately add dry ingredients and milk to the egg mixture, mixing until combined.
7. Fill each muffin cup with about ¼ cup of batter.
8. Bake for 15-18 minutes. Let cool on a wire rack.
Prepare the Cupcakes:
1. Once cooled, carve out the top center of each cupcake to about ½ inch deep and fill with lemon curd.
Make Buttercream:
1. In a large bowl, beat butter, confectioners' sugar, milk, and lemon juice until smooth and forming semi-stiff peaks.
2. Divide the buttercream into two bowls.
3. Color one bowl with pink gel food coloring and the other with yellow. Mix well.
Decorate:
1. Prepare a piping bag with a Wilton tip #1M and fill with both colors of buttercream on their respective sides to create a two-tone effect.
2. Pipe the buttercream onto each cupcake.
3. Optionally, top with a colorful paper straw cut into pieces.
Tips:
• Sift the flour before measuring to ensure light cupcakes.
• Fill the cupcake liners just over halfway to prevent them from overflowing.
• For a more pronounced lemon flavor, add a teaspoon of lemon zest to the cupcake batter.
Key Takeaway: These Pink Lemonade Cupcakes bring a zesty, refreshing twist to any gathering, combining the tangy sweetness of pink lemonade with the richness of a buttery cupcake. Enjoy!