Easy Strawberry Lemonade Cupcakes Recipe: Sweet Summer Treats

Sweet strawberry lemonade cupcakes bring a burst of summery freshness to any dessert table.

Tangy citrus notes dance alongside bright berry undertones, creating a delightful flavor combination that feels like sunshine on a plate.

These delectable treats blend the zesty punch of lemons with the natural sweetness of ripe strawberries in a perfectly balanced confection.

Soft, moist cake layers capture the essence of a refreshing summer drink, revamping familiar beverage flavors into an irresistible bakery experience.

Delicate crumb and vibrant colors make these cupcakes a stunning centerpiece for gatherings, picnics, or afternoon tea.

The recipe promises a delightful balance of tart and sweet elements that will enchant your taste buds and leave you craving more.

Store and Reheat Cupcakes Without Losing Moisture

• Refrigeration: Store cupcakes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Wrap each cupcake individually in plastic wrap to maintain moisture and prevent flavor transfer.
• Room Temperature: Let cupcakes sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving to soften the frosting and enhance flavor. Consume within 24 hours for optimal taste and texture.
• Freezing: Freeze unfrosted cupcakes wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and placed in a freezer-safe container for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and frost just before serving to preserve freshness.

Drinks That Go with Strawberry Cupcakes

• Pair with Sparkling Rosé: The light, fruity notes of a chilled rosé complement the tangy lemon and sweet strawberry flavors in these cupcakes. Its effervescence cuts through the richness of the buttercream frosting.
• Serve with Fresh Mint Tea: A cool, herbal mint tea balances the sweetness of the cupcakes and provides a refreshing contrast to the intense citrus and berry flavors. Its light, clean taste enhances the dessert's brightness.
• Match with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: Creamy vanilla ice cream creates a delightful counterpoint to the cupcakes' zesty lemon curd and strawberry frosting. The smooth, cold texture provides a luxurious accompaniment to the soft, fluffy cake.
• Enjoy with Lemon Sorbet: A tart lemon sorbet intensifies the citrus profile of the cupcakes while offering a palate-cleansing, refreshing finish to the dessert experience.

Cupcake Flavor Combos You’ll Enjoy

• Zesty Citrus Remix: Replace strawberry elements with orange or lime, creating a vibrant alternative that maintains the cupcake's bright flavor profile.
• Berry Bliss Variation: Swap strawberry jam with raspberry or blueberry preserves for a different fruity frosting experience that keeps the original recipe's essence.
• Gluten-Free Garden Party: Use gluten-free flour blend instead of regular flour, ensuring those with dietary restrictions can enjoy these delectable cupcakes without compromising taste.
• Tropical Sunshine Edition: Incorporate coconut extract in the batter and top with a pineapple-infused frosting for a vacation-inspired cupcake that transports taste buds to a sunny paradise.

Why Strawberry Lemonade Cupcakes Are So Refreshing

• Burst of Seasonal Freshness: Combining strawberry and lemon creates a vibrant, summer-inspired dessert that captures the essence of ripe fruits in every delightful bite.
• Layered Flavor Adventure: The recipe offers a complex taste experience with tangy lemon curd, sweet strawberry frosting, and a soft, tender cupcake base that keeps taste buds excited.
• Impressive yet Achievable: Despite looking professionally crafted, home bakers can easily create these stunning cupcakes with basic baking skills and minimal specialized equipment, making them perfect for confident beginners and experienced bakers alike.
• Customizable Showstopper: Bakers can adjust the color intensity, play with frosting techniques, and garnish creatively, transforming these cupcakes into personalized desserts for any celebration or casual gathering.

Everything You Need for Strawberry Lemonade Cupcakes

Main Ingredients:

• Butter: Rich, creamy foundation for tender cupcake texture.
• Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps create light, fluffy structure.
• Egg: Binds ingredients and adds moisture to the batter.
• Lemon Zest: Delivers bright, intense citrus flavor.
• Lemon Juice: Enhances citrus notes and adds tanginess.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and warmth to the cupcake flavor.

• All-Purpose Flour: Gives structure and body to the cupcakes.
• Baking Powder: Helps cupcakes rise and become light and airy.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances overall flavor.

• Sour Cream: Adds moisture and creates a tender crumb.
• Lemon Curd: Tangy, creamy filling that provides intense lemon flavor.
• Strawberry Jam: Adds fruity sweetness to the frosting.
• Strawberry Extract: Intensifies strawberry flavor in frosting.

• Powdered Sugar: Creates smooth, sweet frosting texture.
• Butter: Provides creamy base for frosting.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds subtle flavor to frosting.
• Red Gel Food Color: Optional ingredient for enhancing pink shade.
• Fresh Strawberries: Provides beautiful, fresh garnish.

Easy Cupcake Baking Instructions

Step 1: Prepare Lemon Curd

Make lemon curd in advance and refrigerate until needed.

Step 2: Preheat and Prepare

Set oven to 350°F. Line cupcake pan with 8 paper liners.

Step 3: Create Cupcake Batter

• Egg
• Lemon zest
• Lemon juice
• Vanilla extract

• Salt
• Baking powder

Alternate adding flour and sour cream until smooth and no streaks remain.

Step 4: Bake Cupcakes

Fill cupcake liners 2/3 full with batter. Bake 18-20 minutes until toothpick comes out clean. Cool in pan briefly, then transfer to wire rack.

Step 5: Whip Up Strawberry Frosting

• Butter
• Vanilla
• Strawberry jam
• Strawberry extract

Gradually add powdered sugar until smooth. Optional: Add red gel food color for brighter pink.

Step 6: Fill and Decorate Cupcakes

Use knife or cupcake corer to remove center of each cupcake. Fill with lemon curd and replace core top. Frost cupcakes and garnish with fresh strawberry.

Tips for Juicy Strawberry Cupcakes

• Chill Lemon Curd Early: Prepare the lemon curd in advance and refrigerate to enhance its flavor and spreadability.
• Cream Butter Perfectly: Ensure butter and sugar are creamed until light and fluffy for a tender, delicate cupcake texture.
• Don't Overmix Batter: Gently fold flour and sour cream just until combined to prevent tough, dense cupcakes.
• Test Doneness Carefully: Use the toothpick method to check cupcakes, removing them from the oven when it comes out clean.
• Fill Strategically: Use a cupcake corer or knife to create a neat center for lemon curd, ensuring even distribution of filling.

Strawberry Lemonade Cupcakes Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 37 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Sweet strawberry lemonade cupcakes blend zesty citrus with luscious berry notes, creating a perfect summer dessert. Fluffy cake layers infused with fresh lemon and topped with strawberry buttercream will make you crave this delightful treat at first bite.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Cupcake Main Ingredients:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 6 tablespoons (90 milliliters) sour cream
• ¼ cup (57 grams) unsalted butter, softened

Cupcake Supporting Ingredients:

• 1 large egg
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• Zest of 1 lemon

Finishing and Decorative Ingredients:

• 1 cup (227 grams) unsalted butter, softened
• 2 ½ cups powdered sugar
• ⅓ cup strawberry jam
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon strawberry extract
• 1 drop red gel food color (optional)
• 1 batch lemon curd
• Fresh strawberries, for topping

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Prepare lemon curd in advance and refrigerate until needed for optimal consistency and flavor development.
2. Heat oven to 350°F (175°C) and arrange 8 paper cupcake liners in a standard muffin tin.
3. In a mixing bowl, thoroughly cream unsalted butter and granulated sugar until achieving a light, airy texture with minimal graininess.
4. Incorporate egg, freshly grated lemon zest, lemon juice, and pure vanilla extract, blending until the mixture becomes smooth and homogeneous.
5. Add kosher salt and baking powder, gently mixing to distribute evenly without overmixing.
6. Progressively fold in all-purpose flour and sour cream, alternating between ingredients to create a uniform batter with no visible flour streaks.
7. Distribute batter evenly among cupcake liners, filling approximately two-thirds full to allow proper rising during baking.
8. Bake for 18-20 minutes, checking doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center – it should emerge clean with no wet batter.
9. Allow cupcakes to cool within the pan momentarily, then transfer to a wire cooling rack for complete temperature reduction.
10. Prepare frosting by whipping butter, vanilla extract, strawberry jam, and strawberry extract until fully integrated.
11. Gradually introduce powdered sugar, mixing continuously to achieve a smooth, spreadable consistency.
12. Optional: Add red gel food coloring to enhance the pink hue of the frosting.
13. Using a sharp knife or specialized cupcake corer, carefully remove the center of each cooled cupcake.
14. Fill the cavities with prepared lemon curd, replacing the core’s top gently.
15. Generously frost each cupcake with the strawberry buttercream, creating decorative swirls.
16. Garnish the top of each cupcake with a fresh, ripe strawberry for visual appeal and added flavor.

Notes

• Prepare lemon curd in advance and refrigerate to ensure a smooth, chilled filling for your cupcakes.
• Use room temperature ingredients like butter and eggs to create a lighter, more uniform cake texture.
• Fill cupcake liners only two-thirds full to prevent overflow and achieve a perfect dome shape during baking.
• Cool cupcakes completely before coring and filling to maintain structural integrity and prevent crumbling.
• Enhance frosting color with a small amount of red gel food coloring for a vibrant, appetizing pink hue.
• Garnish each cupcake with a fresh strawberry to add a beautiful, professional finishing touch.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 285 kcal
• Sugar: 28 g
• Sodium: 95 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 11 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 65 mg