Strawberry Lemonade Cupcakes

Strawberry Lemonade Cupcakes 🍓🍋

Fluffy strawberry cupcakes filled with tangy lemon curd and topped with pink & yellow lemonade buttercream—perfect for summer!

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🍰 Ingredients

For the Strawberry Cupcakes:

• 1 box strawberry cake mix (or homemade substitute*)

• 1 cup water

• ½ cup vegetable oil

• 3 large eggs

For the Lemon Filling:

• ½ cup lemon curd (store-bought or homemade)

• 1 tsp lemon zest (optional, for extra zing)

For the Lemonade Buttercream:

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened

• 4 cups powdered sugar

• 2 tbsp lemon juice

• 1 tsp lemon zest

• 2 tbsp strawberry puree (or pink lemonade powder for color)

• 1–2 tbsp heavy cream (as needed for consistency)

• Pink & yellow food coloring (optional, for swirl effect)

Optional Garnish:

• Fresh strawberry slices

• Lemon zest or wedges

• Rainbow sprinkles

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📝 Instructions

1. Bake the Cupcakes

• Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a muffin tin with cupcake liners.

• In a bowl, mix cake mix, water, oil, and eggs until smooth (don’t overmix).

• Fill liners ⅔ full and bake for 15–18 mins (until a toothpick comes out clean).

• Cool completely before filling/frosting.

2. Add the Lemon Filling

• Use a small spoon or piping tip to carve a tiny hole in each cupcake center.

• Fill with lemon curd (about 1 tsp per cupcake).

3. Make the Swirled Buttercream

• Beat butter until creamy, then gradually add powdered sugar.

• Mix in lemon juice, zest, and heavy cream until fluffy.

• Divide frosting into two bowls:

  • Pink: Add strawberry puree (or pink food gel).

  • Yellow: Add a drop of yellow food coloring (optional).

• Layer both colors in a piping bag fitted with a star tip (or swirl with a knife).

4. Decorate & Serve!

• Pipe frosting onto cupcakes in a swirl pattern.

• Garnish with strawberry slices, lemon zest, or sprinkles.

• Chill 15 mins to set (or serve immediately).

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💡 Pro Tips:

• Homemade cake mix sub: Use 1 ½ cups flour, 1 cup sugar, 1 ½ tsp baking powder, ½ tsp salt + ½ cup freeze-dried strawberry powder.

• Extra tangy? Add 1 tbsp limoncello to the frosting.

• No curd? Use lemon pudding mix + whipped cream.

These taste like sunny summer days! Perfect for picnics, birthdays, or anytime cravings strike. 🌞🧁

Want a mini cupcake version or gluten-free tweaks? Let me know!