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Lemony cupcakes

18

  • Prep Time20 mins
  • Total Time20 mins
  • Makes12 cupcakes
*PLUS Baking Time: 25 minutes
Lemony cupcakes

Andreas Trauttmansdorff

Ingredients

  • 1 2/3 cups all-purpose flour

  • 1 tsp baking powder

  • 1/2 tsp salt

  • 1 lemon

  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature

  • 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar

  • 2 eggs

  • 1 tsp vanilla

  • 2/3 cup milk

  • 450-g tub creamy vanilla frosting

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350F (180C). Lightly oil a 12-cup muffin pan or line with paper cups. In a bowl, using a fork, stir flour with baking powder and salt. Grate peel from lemon, then stir into flour mixture. Place butter in a large bowl. Using an electric mixer on medium speed, gradually beat in 1 cup (250 mL) sugar until creamy. Scrape down side. Beat in eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in vanilla. Gradually beat in one-third of flour mixture, then half the milk. Repeat additions, ending with remaining third of flour mixture. Spoon into muffin cups, filling three-quarters full.

  • Bake in centre of preheated 350F (180C) oven until a cake tester inserted in centre of cupcakes comes out clean, about 25 minutes.

  • Meanwhile, squeeze 3 tbsp (45 mL) juice from lemon into a small bowl. Stir in 1/4 cup (50 mL) sugar. (It won't completely dissolve.) Remove cupcakes from oven, leave in pan and place on a rack. Using a toothpick or skewer, poke several holes in top of each. Evenly brush half the lemon juice mixture over tops of cupcakes. Cool in pan 10 minutes, then brush remaining lemon juice mixture overtop. Let stand 10 minutes, then carefully turn out of pan and finish cooling on rack. When cupcakes are completely cool, spread frosting overtop.


Nutrition (per serving)

Calories 310, Protein 3.4g, Carbohydrates 48.2g, Fat 12.1g, Fibre 0.6g, Sodium 153mg.

Bake a batch of these for Mother's Day or to have on hand as a special treat when you're in the mood for something indulgent. With a lemon glaze hidden beneath fluffy icing, these treats deliver a mouth-puckering tang instead of the too-sweet flavour of many store-bought cupcakes.

Fast 'n' Easy Frosting

Place 6 oz (200 g) cream cheese, at room temperature, in a bowl. Using an electric mixer, beat until smooth, then gradually beat in 2 tbsp (30 mL) each freshly squeezed lemon juice and liquid honey and 1 tsp (5 mL) vanilla. Spread over cooled cupcakes. Makes 1 cup (250 mL)

For added flavour, stir in

* grated orange or lime peel * chopped almonds * dried cranberries * chopped candied ginger * chocolate chips

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