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Cute Cupcakes

Cute Cupcakes are delightful, vibrant, and customizable treats that bring joy to any occasion with their fluffy lemon flavor and whimsical buttercream frosting.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 12 cupcakes
Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American
Calories: 350

Ingredients
  

Cupcake Ingredients
  • 1 2/3 cup all-purpose flour (213g)
  • 1 cup granulated sugar (200g)
  • 1/4 tsp baking soda (heaping)
  • 1 tsp baking powder (heaping)
  • 1/4 tsp kosher salt
  • 3/4 cup unsalted butter (190g, room temperature)
  • 3 each egg whites (room temperature)
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup sour cream (120ml, room temperature)
  • 1/2 cup whole milk (120ml, warm)
  • 2 tbsp lemon zest
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
Frosting Ingredients
  • 2 lb confectioners sugar (900g, sifted)
  • 1 lb unsalted butter (450g, room temperature)
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tbsp heavy cream
  • 1 pinch kosher salt
  • 1 tsp whole milk
  • 1 tsp rose water
  • Food coloring

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Place cupcake papers in a cupcake pan. Zest a lemon.
Mixing the Batter
  1. In a large bowl, sift the dry ingredients together, which includes the sugar.
  2. In another bowl, whisk the wet ingredients and lemon zest until combined. (It’s okay if the batter looks clumpy!)
  3. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix until they are combined.
  4. Distribute the batter evenly into the cupcake papers.
Baking
  1. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until golden and springy to the touch.
Making the Frosting
  1. In a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream the room temperature butter.
  2. Add the confectioners’ sugar in two batches.
  3. Mix in salt, milk, cream, rose water, and vanilla until fluffy.
  4. Transfer the frosting to separate bowls and add food coloring to each batch.
Decorating
  1. Pipe the shaggy buttercream onto each cupcake using a piping bag fitted with grass tips.

Notes

Use room temperature ingredients for better mixing. Don’t over mix the batter; it should be combined but not smooth. Experiment with different colors and decorations for the buttercream. Consider using different extracts or flavors in the frosting, such as almond or coconut.