Something about lemons just screams fresh and clean-tasting--pure summer deliciousness!  These little cupcakes just moved up to the top of my favorites list.  I make a lot of cupcakes, so that is a very long list.  They're that good.

The cake is light and moist, flavored with limoncello, lemon zest and lemon juice.  Then...they are filled with a bit of lemon curd and topped with a lemon cream cheese frosting.  Help!  So, so good! 


Lemon-Limoncello Cupcakes
Source:  Tartlette
Yield: 1 dozen

For the cupcakes:
1½ cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
1/4 cup (½ stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
2 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
1 cup granulated sugar
3 large eggs
2 tablespoons limoncello
½ cup buttermilk
¼ cup lemon juice
Zest of one lemon

For the lemon curd:
Zest of 2 lemons
½ cup lemon juice
¼ cup granulated sugar
1 egg + 1 egg yolk
*Or just purchase a pre-made, good quality lemon curd.

For the cream cheese limoncello frosting:
1/4 cup (½ stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
4 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
1 tablespoon limoncello
2 cups powdered sugar, sifted

1. Prepare the cupcakes. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and position a rack in the center. In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking powder and salt; set aside. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter, cream cheese and sugar on medium speed until light and creamy, 2-3 minutes. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add the limoncello and beat an additional minute. On low speed, add flour mixture and buttermilk alternatively, beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Add the lemon juice and zest and mix on low speed just until incorporated. Divide the batter between 12 muffin tins. Bake for 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the middle comes out clean. Let cool completely.
2. If you're going for it...Prepare the lemon curd.  (Or, if you are like me...open the jar!)  In a heavy medium saucepan, stir together the lemon zest, juice and sugar and bring to a simmer over medium heat. In a small bowl, whisk together the egg and egg yolk. Whisk the lemon mixture into the eggs to temper them. Scrape the mixture back into the saucepan and place over medium heat, whisking constantly until it thickens, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat, and let cool completely.
3. Prepare the cream cheese limoncello frosting. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter and cream cheese on medium speed until light and creamy, about 2-3 minutes. Add the limoncello and beat for an additional minute. Reduce the speed to low and gradually add the sifted powdered sugar and beat until fully incorporated and smooth.
4. Assemble the cupcakes. Cut a hole into the center of each cupcake and fill each cavity with the lemon curd. Top the cupcakes with the cream cheese limoncello frosting and garnish with lemons.


This post is linked to Sweets for a Saturday
and Made It On Monday, 
Tasty Tuesdays
Mouthwatering Mondays
Cupcake Tuesday
Savory Sundays
A Baker's Sunday
Sharing Sunday