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Lemon Sunshine Cupcakes

Bring in a little bit of sunshine with these Lemon Sunshine Cupcakes! Based on an old favorite cake, these cupcakes are filled with lemon curd and topped with a dreamy fluffy frosting. A sprinkling of coconut tops them off.

Prep Time
45 mins
Cook Time
45 mins
Total Time
1 hr 10 mins
Servings: 36 cupcakes
Calories: 208 kcal
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Cupcakes:
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 1 cup butter softened
  • 4 eggs
  • 1 teaspoon coconut extract
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 cups buttermilk
Lemon Curd Filling:
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • Dash of Salt
  • 3/4 cup water
  • 2 slightly beaten egg yolks*
  • 3 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
Fluffy Frosting:
  • 4 egg whites* at room temperature
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 2/3 cup light corn syrup
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • sweetened flaked coconut

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. To make the cupcakes: Preheat the oven to 350ºF.  Line 36 muffin tins with cupcake liners.
  2. In a medium bowl, mix the flour, baking powder and salt; set aside.
  3. In a large bowl, beat the sugar and the butter with an electric mixer on medium speed. Add the eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in the extracts.
  4. On low sped, alternately add the ⅓ of the flour mixture, ½ of the buttermilk, another ⅓ of the flour, the remaining buttermilk and then the remaining flour, beating just until blended.
  5. Divide batter evenly among muffin cups, filling each about ⅔ full.
  6. Bake for 15 to 18 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes; remove to a cooling rack to cool completely.
  7. To make the lemon curd: Combine the sugar, cornstarch and salt in a medium saucepan.  Add the water, egg yolks and lemon juice and stir to combine.  Cook over medium heat, stirring often, until it thickens.  Remove from the heat and stir in the butter and the lemon zest.  Transfer to a bowl and cover.  Refrigerate until completely cooled.
  8. To make the fluffy frosting: In a stand mixer, beat the egg whites until they form stiff peaks.
  9. Meanwhile, heat the sugar and corn syrup over medium heat. Heat until it comes to a full boil, then remove from the heat.
  10. Once the egg whites are stiff, slowly pour in the hot sugar mixture. Do not scrape the sides of the bowl, or you will have sugar crystals in the frosting. Beat the frosting until it forms a shiny, fluffy marshmallow frosting, 5-7 minutes. Beat in the vanilla extract.
  11. To assemble the cupcakes: Use a sharp knife to cut a cone out of the center of each cupcake, reserving the cut out piece. Fill the center with 1 teaspoon of lemon curd. Replace the cut out piece of the cupcake. Repeat with the remaining cupcakes.
  12. Pipe the frosting onto the cupcakes, then sprinkle with coconut.

Notes

  • *when separating the eggs, reserve the egg whites to use in the frosting.
  • *when separating the eggs, reserve the egg whites to use in the frosting.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1cupcake Calories 208kcal (10%) Carbohydrates 34g (11%) Protein 3g (6%) Fat 7g (11%) Saturated Fat 4g (20%) Polyunsaturated Fat 2g Monounsaturated Fat 0g Trans Fat 0g Cholesterol 50mg (17%) Sodium 169mg (7%) Potassium 39mg (1%) Fiber 0g (0%) Sugar 26g (52%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 36cupcakes

Amount Per Serving

Calories 208

% Daily Value*

Serving 1cupcake
Calories 208kcal 10%
Carbohydrates 34g 11%
Protein 3g 6%
Fat 7g 11%
Saturated Fat 4g 20%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2g 12%
Monounsaturated Fat 0g 0%
Trans Fat 0g 0%
Cholesterol 50mg 17%
Sodium 169mg 7%
Potassium 39mg 1%
Fiber 0g 0%
Sugar 26g 52%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.