Strawberry Lemonade Cupcakes With Cream Cheese Frosting
Summer is in full swing, and there's no better way to celebrate the season than with a delicious batch of strawberry lemonade cupcakes with cream cheese frosting. These cupcakes are the perfect combination of sweet and tangy, with a moist cake base and a creamy frosting that's sure to satisfy your sweet tooth. In this article, we'll explore everything you need to know to make these delicious treats at home.
Ingredients
To make a batch of strawberry lemonade cupcakes with cream cheese frosting, you'll need the following ingredients:
- 1 box white cake mix
- 1/2 cup frozen strawberries, thawed and pureed
- 1/2 cup lemon juice
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 3 eggs
- 1/2 cup water
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp salt
All of these ingredients should be easy to find at your local grocery store. If you don't have access to frozen strawberries, you can use fresh ones instead. Just make sure to puree them before adding them to the batter.
Instructions
Now that you have all of your ingredients, it's time to start baking! Follow these simple steps to make a batch of strawberry lemonade cupcakes with cream cheese frosting:
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) and line a muffin tin with cupcake liners.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cake mix, strawberry puree, lemon juice, vegetable oil, eggs, and water. Mix until well-combined.
- Pour the batter into the cupcake liners, filling each one about 2/3 full.
- Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean.
- While the cupcakes are baking, prepare the cream cheese frosting. In a separate mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese and butter until smooth.
- Add the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and salt, and beat until well-combined.
- Once the cupcakes have cooled, spread a generous amount of cream cheese frosting on top of each one.
- Enjoy your delicious strawberry lemonade cupcakes with cream cheese frosting!
These cupcakes are best served chilled, so make sure to refrigerate them for at least an hour before serving. You can also garnish them with fresh strawberries or lemon slices for an extra pop of color and flavor.
Variations
If you're feeling adventurous, there are plenty of ways to customize this recipe to suit your tastes. Here are a few variations to try:
- Add a tablespoon of lemon zest to the cupcake batter for an extra zing of lemon flavor.
- Replace the cream cheese frosting with a whipped cream frosting for a lighter, fluffier texture.
- Use a different type of fruit puree, such as raspberry or blueberry, to create a different flavor profile.
- Top the cupcakes with a drizzle of honey or a sprinkle of cinnamon for a sweet and spicy twist.
Conclusion
Strawberry lemonade cupcakes with cream cheese frosting are the perfect summer treat, combining the sweet taste of strawberries with the tangy kick of lemon. With a few simple ingredients and some basic baking skills, you can whip up a batch of these delicious cupcakes in no time. Whether you're hosting a backyard barbecue or simply craving something sweet, give this recipe a try and see how it can brighten up your summer days.