Celebration Cupcakes with Citrus Frosting
Brighten up any special occasion with these Celebration Cupcakes with Citrus Frosting, a delightful marriage of tender vanilla sponge and zesty citrus flavor. Light, fluffy cupcakes are baked to perfection and topped with a creamy, tangy frosting made with fresh orange and lemon juice, plus vibrant citrus zest for a burst of sunshine in every bite. This easy-to-follow recipe comes together in just under 40 minutes, making it perfect for birthdays, holiday gatherings, or any time you need a sweet treat that impresses. Garnish with extra zest for a festive look and let these citrus cupcakes steal the show! Perfect for lovers of citrus desserts, this recipe is sure to become a crowd favorite.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1.5 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1.5 teaspoons baking powder
- 0.25 teaspoons salt
- 0.5 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 0.5 cup whole milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 0.5 cup unsalted butter (for frosting, softened)
- 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon orange zest
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 tablespoon milk (if needed for frosting consistency)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 12-cup cupcake tin with paper liners or lightly grease each cup.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to cream the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes).
Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
Alternately add the dry ingredients and milk to the butter mixture, starting and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix just until combined; do not overmix.
Divide the batter evenly among the cupcake liners, filling each about 2/3 full.
Bake in the preheated oven for 16-18 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean.
Remove the cupcakes from the oven and let them cool in the tin for 5 minutes. Then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.
To make the frosting, beat the softened butter with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, about 1/2 cup at a time, mixing well after each addition.
Add the orange juice, lemon juice, orange zest, and lemon zest to the frosting. Beat until the frosting is smooth and fluffy. If the frosting is too thick, add milk one teaspoon at a time to achieve your desired consistency.
Once the cupcakes are completely cool, pipe or spread the citrus frosting onto the tops of each cupcake.
Optional: Garnish the frosted cupcakes with additional orange or lemon zest for a festive touch.
Serve and enjoy your Celebration Cupcakes with Citrus Frosting!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
4781 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 208.0 g | 267% | |
| Saturated Fat | 127.3 g | 636% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.1 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 905 mg | 302% | |
| Sodium | 1492 mg | 65% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 714.4 g | 260% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 5.9 g | 21% | |
| Total Sugars | 562.7 g | ||
| Protein | 37.3 g | 75% | |
| Vitamin D | 6.8 mcg | 34% | |
| Calcium | 316 mg | 24% | |
| Iron | 10.8 mg | 60% | |
| Potassium | 691 mg | 15% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
