Lemon Raspberry Cupcakes
Light and moist lemon cupcakes topped with an easy raspberry buttercream frosting. These Lemon Cupcakes with Raspberry Buttercream Frosting are absolutely delicious!
I think cupcakes have to be one of my favorite things to create and photograph for this blog. Sadly, it’s been over 5 months since the last time I posted a cupcake recipe. I guess other things — like these brownie bites and no-bake cheesecakes — have been on my mind lately.
But today I’m changing that with these cupcakes. The idea for these lemon cupcakes came from my Lemon Raspberry Cheesecake Squares, which happen to be one of the most popular recipes (and one of my favorite recipes) on the blog.
I love lemon desserts and I know a lot of you do too, but they’re even better when paired with berries! So, I decided to make these lemon cupcakes and top them with a delicious and easy raspberry buttercream frosting.
Ingredients for This Recipe
These lemon raspberry cupcakes use primarily pantry staples, plus a few special ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need to make the cupcakes and raspberry frosting:
- All-purpose flour: Measure your flour correctly with the spoon and level method. In other words, stir the flour around, spoon it into the measuring cup, then level the top off with the back of a knife.
- Baking powder: Gives the cupcakes a little lift in the oven.
- Salt: Balances out the flavors in the cupcake batter.
- Unsalted butter: I recommend using unsalted butter since the amount of salt in salted butters can vary between different brands. If using salted butter, reduce the salt by 1/4 teaspoon per stick of butter in the recipe.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the cupcakes.
- Eggs: Should be room temperature before mixing into the batter.
- Vanilla extract: Use pure vanilla extract for the best flavor.
- Lemon juice and zest: The lemon juice and lemon zest in this recipe add a beautiful light lemon flavor. It’s not too overpowering, but you can definitely taste the lemon in these cupcakes.
- Milk: I recommend using whole milk in this recipe. 2% should work as well, but avoid fat-free milk.
- Sour cream: The first time I tested these cupcakes I tried using just sour cream with the lemon juice, but they were a little too dense. So I adjusted the recipe by reducing the sour cream and adding some milk to make them soft and light, which worked perfectly.
- Powdered sugar: This is used to sweeten and thicken the frosting.
- Heavy cream: Just a splash is needed to loosen up the frosting.
- Raspberry preserves: Both raspberry preserves and raspberry jam will work in this recipe.
How to Make Lemon Cupcakes with Raspberry Frosting
The flour is mixed together with a little baking powder and salt. Simple so far, right? For the wet ingredients, you’ll start out with some butter, sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract. Once everything is mixed together you’ll mix in some lemon juice, lemon zest, milk, and sour cream.
Divide the batter between cupcake liners and bake until done. Don’t overfill your cupcake liners. This recipe will make 15 to 16 cupcakes, I always end up with exactly 15 cupcakes when I make these. Filling the cupcake liners too full will cause them to overflow and you’ll end up with muffin tops.
Let the lemon cupcakes cool completely before making the frosting and topping the cupcakes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Use Fresh Raspberries in the Frosting?
I’ve tried fresh berries in frosting and it tends to curdle, which isn’t so pretty. I really wanted to try out freeze-dried raspberries in this frosting, but I could not find them ANYWHERE.
After almost ordering a pack online, I decided if I couldn’t find them that easily then there’s a good chance a lot of you wouldn’t be able to either. So, I stuck with using raspberry preserves in the frosting.
Can I Make a Layered Cake with This Recipe?
Yes, if you double the cupcake batter and multiply the frosting recipe by 1.5. This will be enough for a two-layer cake.
How Do You Store Them?
You may store these cupcakes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Baking Tips
- One of the most important tips I can give when making cupcakes from scratch is to measure your flour correctly. You want to avoid using the measuring cup to scoop the flour out of the container because you can end up with too much in your recipe. Measuring your flour correctly is crucial to making soft, light, delicious cupcakes. I explain how to spoon and level flour in more detail in this post.
- For the best texture and flavor, always use full-fat ingredients. They do make a difference!
- The frosting recipe will make enough to give these cupcakes a nice frosting just like the pictures. If you prefer less frosting, feel free to cut it in half.
More Easy Cupcake Recipes to Try!
- Carrot Cake Cupcakes
- Chocolate Cupcakes with Peanut Butter Frosting
- Lemon Blueberry Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting
- Vanilla Cupcakes
- Chocolate Oreo Cupcakes
Lemon Cupcakes with Raspberry Buttercream
Ingredients
For the lemon cupcakes:
- 1 and 1/2 cups (190 grams) all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled)
- 1 and 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup (115 grams) unsalted butter , softened
- 1 cup (200 grams) granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs at room temperature
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3 tablespoons (45 ml) fresh lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons lemon zest (about 2 medium lemons)
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) whole milk
- 1/4 cup (60 grams) sour cream
For the raspberry buttercream:
- 1 cup (230 grams) unsalted butter , softened
- 3 and 1/2 cups (420 grams) powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/3 cup raspberry preserves (or jam)
- tiny pinch of salt
Instructions
To make the lemon cupcakes:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C). Line two muffin pans with 15 cupcake liners and set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, or in a large mixing bowl using a hand-held mixer, beat the butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy. Mix in each egg one at a time, then the vanilla extract, making sure to mix well after each ingredient. Add the lemon juice and lemon zest, mix until well combined, then mix in the milk and sour cream until fully combined.
- Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until just combined, making sure not to overmix the batter. Use a rubber spatula or spoon to turn the batter and make sure everything is well combined.
- Evenly distribute the batter between all 15 cupcake liners, making sure to only fill them a little over halfway full. Bake in batches at 350°F for 18-22 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cupcakes comes out clean and the tops spring back when lightly touched.
- Remove from the oven, then carefully remove the cupcakes from the pan and transfer to a wire rack to cool.
To make the raspberry buttercream:
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, or in a large mixing bowl using a hand-held mixer, beat the butter until smooth. Mix in the powdered sugar, heavy cream, and vanilla extract until well combined. Add in the raspberry preserves (or jam) and salt and continue mixing until fully combined.
- Frost the cooled cupcakes as desired.
If I wanted to make mini cupcakes would I have to change the temp or amount of minutes
You can keep the oven temperature the same and just reduce the baking time to 10 to 14 minutes.
Is there a way I can make the frosting more raspberry flavored and less sweet? It’s very good as is, but I’m wondering if there’s somehow to add an extra kick of the berry with the lemon while keeping the same consistency.
The best way would be to use freeze-dried raspberries instead of jam. You can blend 1 cup (about 1 ounce) into a fine powder, strain the powder through a fine mesh sieve to remove the seeds, and mix that into the frosting. You will need to use a little extra heavy cream to get it to the right consistency.
What tip did you use to frost the cupcakes? They look beautiful
Thank you, Dianna! I believe I used the Wilton 1M piping tip for these cupcakes.
One of the best cupcakes I have ever eaten. I will definitely make these again!
The lemon cake part of this recipe is great. The raspberry buttercream is nearly perfect, other than being way too sweet, at least for my palate.
Hello, I’m wanting to make the cupcakes using cake flour (or 50/50 cake flour/ ap flour). Would cake flour work and how would it effect the results?
It would be fine to use cake flour, it will likely make the cupcakes taller and softer. It is lighter than all-purpose flour though, so you will want to use 3 extra tablespoons of cake flour. Or you can use my lemon cupcake recipe here that uses cake flour. Hope that helps!
Hello, I’d like to try your recipe for lemon cupcakes and would like your recommendations for using alternative sugars such as monk fruit or xylitol for the cake, and swerve confectionery sugar for the frosting. Can’t wait to try them!
– Shelly
Hi, Shelly! I don’t bake with sugar-free alternatives and I’ve never tried it with this recipe, so I can’t really give any suggestions. I’m sure there are some other great options out there that are sugar-free though.
Can I use the cake portion without the lemon for vanilla cupcakes? These cupcakes are amazing. As for the icing, should i add a tad bit more of the powdered sugar for a thicker consistency?
It may be okay, but I haven’t personally tried it. I do have a vanilla cupcake recipe here though. You can add more powdered sugar to the frosting as well.
Delicious cupcakes!! I made a double batch of these for my mom’s birthday, as she requested something lemony. Everyone at her party raved over the cupcakes, they stole the show!
Between everyone in our family with celiac and a slew of allergies, I modified it to be gluten free/ soy free/ dairy free/ corn free. I subbed Bob’s Red Mill 1:1 All Purpose flour, Earth Balance Soy Free vegan butter, Califia almond milk creamer, and Wholesome powered sugar with tapioca starch. The result was so good nobody knew they were gluten free/ allergy friendly!
The only thing I noticed was the frosting needed a little extra time to chill before piping, likely because the vegan butter was too soft… but the flavor was incredible, and not sickening-sweet like most buttercreams.
I’m definitely saving this recipe to make again! Maybe for my birthday in a couple months. 😉
Have you tried eggless?
Flax eggs may work, but I haven’t personally tried them in this recipe.
Hi. I am wondering if these can be frozen and iced at a later time?
Yes, they will freeze well for up to 3 months.
Can you use freeze dried raspberries and blend them (just like your strawberry frosting recipe) in place of preserves?
Yes, that would be fine! You may need to add a little extra heavy cream.
Would this work as a cake instead of cupcakes? I’m hoping to make it as a birthday cake
Yes, it would! It’s enough for one 9-inch cake layer. If you want to make a layered cake, I would double the cake recipe.
I used your recipe for vanilla,lemon and chocolate cupcakes. The best cupcakes we have ever had. These recipes are the best! Thank you for sharing them.
Thank you, Holly! So glad you enjoyed the cupcakes!
Hi Danielle!
My brother-in-law (famous in my family for his desserts) said that these cupcakes were the best he’s had! Is there a way to make this recipe dairy-free? I used vegan butter last time and it came out great!
Thank you for sharing this recipe!
Thank you, Kelsey! You could probably swap out the milk for something like almond milk and the sour cream for a dairy-free yogurt. You can also replace the heavy cream in the frosting with almond milk or another dairy-free milk.
Can I make everything the day before and frost the day I need them?
Yes, that would be fine!
These are the BEST lemon cupcakes ever- easy to make and a definite crowd pleaser. I make them for all the birthday celebrations where I bring cupcakes. In Canada we have Crave cupcakes- a popular chain. My brother in law said these are better because they are lemony and not as sweet as the sugary Crave confections. I bet you could get away with about half of the icing. I personally like a lot of icing but I don’t use all of it on these cupcakes- it’s too much for others. Later there is more icing for me to scoop onto a cookie, or a strawberry, or a piece of toast…a spoon…you get it! Thank you for this awesome recipe!
Another winner!! Huge compliments on these yesterday, from “the lemoniest ever” to “I can’t stop eating these!”. I made them as mini cupcakes with a simple powdered sugar + lemon juice icing for the first real beach day of the season. The few remaining at the end of the day were still in really good shape after *5 hours* in just an insulated cooler bag with ice packs on the bottom. (Thank goodness for beach umbrellas!) Bonus: the recipient of last summer’s Vanilla Cupcakes ate 5 of these, then said “my” vanilla ones still were best. 🙂
Can i use half and half instead of whole milk?
Yes, that would be fine!
Hi, I was just wondering if I could use strawberry preserves instead of raspberry because I’m making these for someone with a gluten allergy and that’s what I have right now.
Thanks, Ellie
Yes, that would be fine.
Hi! I wanted to make mini cupcakes with this recipe would I just shorten the bake time?
Yes, bake time for mini cupcakes is usually about 10-14 minutes.
Hey! I borrowed the buttercream recipe for some macarons. Amazing! I cut the recipe in half and after blending everything I folded in some crushed freeze dried raspberries. They made nice red specks and a nice boost to the already great rasberry taste. Thanks!
Hi Daniellle,
I wanted to let you know that I made your recipe for the lemon cupcakes with raspberry filling this weekend and they were a huge hit. Thanks for sharing!
So happy to hear that, Linda! Thank you!
hi so i want to know if i can reduce the amount of sugar in this recipe?
You could probably reduce the granulated sugar by about 1/4 cup. I wouldn’t recommend more than that though because it would change the texture of the cupcakes. For the frosting, you can reduce the powdered sugar by 1/2 cup but the frosting will be softer.
Hi! I made these cupcakes and they were out of this world! Someone asked me to make a 3 tier cake. Should I double or triple the recipe? Thank you so much!!
You would need to triple the cake portion of the recipe to make a three layer 9-inch cake. I also have a lemon cake recipe here.
Hi I was just wondering to make these cupcakes that will serve 6. And what will the ingredient amounts will be. Doing this for assignment:)
I would just cut the recipe in half. You will probably get 7-8 cupcakes, but scaling it down to make exactly 6 won’t work very well.
Hi Danielle,
I was wondering if I can make this a raspberry lemonade cupcake by swirling raspberry preserves in the batter before baking? Do you think that would make it too wet? It would not be a lot..
Thank you1!
I think that would be fine! I would warm the preserves in the microwave for 5 to 10 seconds, just so they’re easier to swirl with the batter.