Lemon Cream Cheese Cupcakes Food

LEMON CREAM CUPCAKES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray the muffin tin with cooking spray.
• Combine the butter and 1 1/4 cups of the sugar in the large bowl and beat with the mixer on medium-high speed until fluffy. ADd the eggs and 3 tablespoons of the lemon juice and beat until well combined, scraping down the bowl once or twice as necessary. Mix in the flour, baking powder, slat, and 2 teaspoons of the lemon zest until just combined.
• In the small bowl, mash together the cream cheese, the remaining 1/4 cup sugar, the remaining 1 tablespoon lemon juice, and the remaining 1 teaspoon lemon zest until combined.
• Spoon about 3 tablespoons of the batter into each muffin cup. Place about 1 tablespoon of the cream cheese mixture on top of each portion of batter and cover the cheese with some of the remaining batter (the batter should reach three-quarters of the way to the top of each cup). Bake until golden, about 20 minutes. Let the cupcakes cool in the pan for 10 minutes before turning over onto the wire rack to cool completely. Use the strainer to sift the tops with confectioners' sugar before serving if desired.

LEMONADE CUPCAKES WITH LEMON CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

Steps:

• Cake: Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Remove 2 tablespoons lemonade concentrate from can and discard or reserve for other use.
• Combine remaining lemonade concentrate, cake mix, sour cream, cream cheese and eggs in large bowl.
• Add food coloring (if desired) and mix thoroughly.
• Beat with mixer until well blended.
• Spoon batter into paper-lined muffin tins, filling 3/4 full.
• Bake at 350 for 20 minutes or until cooked through.
• Cool completely before frosting with Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting.
• Frosting: In a large bowl, cream together all ingredients until thick, smooth, and spreadable; use immediately.
• Store frosted goods covered in the refrigerator; bring to room temperature before serving.

LEMON CUPCAKES WITH LEMON CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

Steps:

• Line twenty-four 2 1/2-inch muffin cups with paper bake cups; set aside. In a medium bowl combine flour, baking powder, soda, and salt. Set aside.
• In a large mixing bowl beat butter with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds. Add sugar and beat until well combined. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each. Add flour mixture and buttermilk or sour milk alternately to beaten mixture, beating on low speed after each addition just until combined. Stir in lemon peel and lemon juice (batter may appear slightly curdled). Divide evenly among prepared muffin cups.
• Bake in a 350° oven for 15 to 18 minutes or until a wooden toothpick inserted near the center of the cupcakes comes out clean. Cool cakes in pans for 5 minutes; remove from pans and cool thoroughly on wire racks.**.
• When completely cooled, pipe or spread with Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting. Decorate as desired with additional piped frosting, edible flowers (pesticide-free), shaved white chocolate, and lemon zest. Store frosted cupcakes in a covered container and keep refrigerated. Makes 24 cupcakes.
• Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting: Finely shred 1 teaspoon lemon peel; set aside. In a medium mixing bowl combine two 3-ounce packages cream cheese, softened; 1/2 cup butter, softened; and 1 teaspoon lemon juice; beat with electric mixer on low to medium speed until light and fluffy. Gradually add 2 cups sifted powdered sugar, beating well. Gradually beat in 2 1/2 to 2 3/4 cups additional powdered sugar to make frosting that is easy to spread. Stir in the lemon peel. If desired, tint some of the frosting with pink gel icing color for decorating.
• *NOTE: To make sour milk, place 1 tablespoon lemon juice or vinegar in a glass measuring cup, then add enough milk to make 1 cup. Let stand 5 minutes before using.
• **MAKE AHEAD: Freeze unfrosted cupcakes in a freezer container for up to 3 months. Bring to room temperature before frosting. The frosting can be made up to 3 days ahead, covered, and refrigerated. Set out at room temperature to soften enough to spread.