Strawberry Lemon Cupcake Recipe with Zesty Cream Cheese Frosting

These easy Strawberry Lemon Cupcakes are moist, fluffy, and bright with lemon zing, finished with a silky strawberry frosting. They capture the light, refreshing flavors of summer and are delicious any time of year.

Strawberry Lemon Cupcakes

Enjoy the bright citrus notes layered with sweet strawberry frosting. Lemon desserts always feel special, and these cupcakes are no exception — tender, moist, and full of flavor. When life gives you lemons, bake a batch of these cupcakes.

The crumb is light and moist, and the strawberry Jell-O frosting adds a nostalgic, perfectly sweet finish. These cupcakes are irresistibly cheerful.

Lemon Cupcakes Ingredients:

• Butter
• Sugar
• Whole milk
• Eggs
• Lemon zest
• Lemon juice
• Baking powder
• Flour

How to Make Lemon Cupcakes

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a cupcake pan with liners.

2. Cream together the butter and sugar until smooth and well combined.

3. Whisk in the eggs, milk, lemon juice, and lemon zest until incorporated.

4. Add the baking powder and flour. Stir the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until the batter is smooth and no streaks of flour remain.

5. Fill each cupcake liner nearly to the top and bake for about 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow cupcakes to cool completely before frosting.

Tip!

The batter can be prepared ahead and stored, covered, in the refrigerator for 1–2 days. Bring it back to room temperature and give a quick stir before baking.

Strawberry Jello Frosting Ingredients:

1. Strawberry Jell-O powder
2. Powdered sugar
3. Butter
4. Whole milk (as needed)

Strawberry Frosting Recipe

1. In a bowl, beat together the Jell-O powder, powdered sugar, and softened butter until smooth and fluffy.

2. Add 1–2 tablespoons of milk, one at a time, to reach the desired piping consistency.

3. Pipe or spread the frosting onto cooled cupcakes, then serve and enjoy.

Frosting Tips:

Swap the strawberry Jell-O powder for ½ cup fresh strawberry puree if you prefer. If using puree, add a little extra powdered sugar to keep the frosting firm; you may not need any milk.

For more lemon brightness, replace the milk in the frosting with a small amount of lemon juice to create a strawberry-lemon balance. Adjust to taste so the frosting keeps a good consistency.

How Long Do Cupcakes Last?

Store frosted cupcakes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3–5 days. They can sit at room temperature for a similar time, but chilling helps preserve texture and flavor, especially with butter-based frosting.