Zesty Cupcakes with cream cheese frosting

Lemon Cupcake:

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

• 1/4 teaspoon salt

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened

• 1 cup granulated sugar

• 2 large eggs

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• Zest of 1 lemon

• 1/2 cup milk

• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a cupcake tin with paper liners.

2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.

3. In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. You can use an electric mixer or do this by hand.

4. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract and lemon zest.

5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, alternating with the milk. Start and finish with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined, being careful not to overmix.

6. Stir in the fresh lemon juice until evenly distributed throughout the batter.

7. Divide the batter evenly among the prepared cupcake liners, filling each about two-thirds full.

8. Bake in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean.

9. Remove the cupcakes from the oven and let them cool in the tin for 5 minutes. Then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Once the cupcakes have cooled completely, you can proceed to make the cream cheese frosting following the instructions provided earlier.

Cream Cheese Frosting: Ingredients:

• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened

• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened

• 3-4 cups powdered sugar

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• Zest of 1 lemon

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until smooth and creamy.

2. Gradually add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, while continuing to beat the mixture. Adjust the amount of powdered sugar according to your desired sweetness and consistency.

3. Stir in the vanilla extract, zest of a lemon and mix well until all ingredients are fully incorporated and the frosting is smooth.

4. Once the cupcakes have cooled completely, frost them with the cream cheese frosting. You can use a piping bag or simply spread the frosting on top of each cupcake with a spatula.

5. Optional: Garnish each cupcake with a sprinkle of lemon zest for extra lemon flavor and decoration.

Enjoy your delicious lemon cream cheese cupcakes!

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