Fresh and Fluffy Lemon Lavender Cupcakes (Printable Version)
Bright, aromatic cupcakes featuring zesty lemon and subtle floral lavender notes with a tender, fluffy crumb.
# What You Need:
→ Cupcakes
01 - 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 cup granulated sugar
03 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
04 - 2 large eggs, room temperature
05 - 1/2 cup whole milk
06 - 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
07 - 1 tablespoon finely grated lemon zest
08 - 1 teaspoon culinary lavender buds, finely chopped
09 - 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
10 - 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
11 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
12 - 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
→ Lemon Lavender Frosting
13 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
14 - 2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
15 - 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
16 - 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
17 - 1/4 teaspoon culinary lavender buds, finely ground
18 - 1-2 tablespoons whole milk, as needed
19 - Pinch of salt
# How-To Steps:
01 - Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners.
02 - Combine milk and lavender buds in a small bowl. Let steep for 10 minutes, then strain to remove buds.
03 - Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl.
04 - Beat butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
05 - Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla extract.
06 - Alternately add the dry ingredients and lavender-infused milk to the butter mixture, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
07 - Divide the batter evenly among the cupcake liners, filling each about 2/3 full.
08 - Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let cupcakes cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
09 - Beat butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, lemon juice, lemon zest, ground lavender, pinch of salt, and 1 tablespoon milk. Beat until smooth and fluffy, adding more milk as needed for desired consistency.
10 - Frost cooled cupcakes and garnish with a sprinkle of extra lavender buds or lemon zest, if desired.
# Helpful Tips:
01 -
- The floral notes are subtle enough that even lavender skeptics usually convert after one bite
- These cupcakes somehow taste like sunshine and afternoon tea all wrapped up in tender crumb
02 -
- Overbaking even by 2 minutes makes these dry, so set that timer and trust it
- Lavender strength varies wildly between brands, so start with less if you're unsure
03 -
- Grate your lemon zest before juicing the lemons, it's so much easier to hold onto those lemons when they're still whole
- Use a coffee grinder or mortar and pestle to finely grind lavender for the frosting, those little buds can be stubborn