Easy Lemon Cupcakes with Cake Mix
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These family friendly, Easy Lemon Cupcakes with Cake Mix will become a new staple on your dessert menu! Using Sprite and your favorite lemon cake mix, these deliciously tangy and moist lemon cupcakes are so easy to make.
The balance between sweet and tanginess is matched to perfection and will cause your taste buds to dance! Serve them with Ginger Lemon Cinnamon Tea to really delight your taste buds with bold flavors.
We also love this Lemon Lavender Cake.
What We Love About This Recipe
- Family Friendly: This lemon cupcake recipe is fun to make with your kids! This recipe also makes 14, enough for everyone to enjoy.
- Adaptable: This recipe shows how to make cream cheese frosting. Feel free to use your own recipe or store bought frosting!
If you’re looking for more Lemon Dessert Recipes because you love lemon, try these Lemon Blueberry Cookies, Tasty Lemon Cake Mix Cookies, and Lemon Yogurt Cake recipes.
Ingredient Notes
These eggless lemon cupcakes have a short list of common ingredients! With the cupcakes themselves only requiring two ingredients, this tangy dessert will be ready before you know it.
- Soda: This recipe calls for a can of Sprite, but 7up or Sierra Mist will also work.
- Lemon Cake Mix: Any brand of lemon cake mix can be used for this recipe.
- Lemon: You will need to zest a fresh lemon to make the delicious cream cheese frosting.
- Lemon Extract: This will add the perfect lemon flavor to the cream cheese frosting.
See the recipe card below for a complete list of the ingredients with measurements.
Variations and Substitutions
Lemon Cupcakes with Cake Mix require simple ingredients but you can make this recipe look however you want by making some of these changes.
- Cake Mix: If you want less lemon try using yellow or white cake mix. This is equally as delicious with the lemon cream cheese frosting.
- Sprite: If the soda is freaking you out then feel free to make the cupcakes by the instructions on the box of cake mix or your own favorite recipe.
Equipment Needed
How to Make Easy Lemon Cupcakes with Cake Mix
These super moist lemon cupcakes come together in just 3 simple steps!
These are the basic steps for making lemon cupcakes with cream cheese frosting. Refer to the full, printable recipe card below for detailed instructions on how to make this easy lemon cupcakes recipe.
STEP 1: Make The Cupcakes
Preheat the oven and line the cupcake tray with liners. For light and fluffy cupcakes, in a large bowl, beat together the cake mix and sprite; mix until combined. Scoop the batter into the prepared cupcake liners and bake until done (when an inserted toothpick comes out clean).
STEP 2: Make The Frosting
In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the cream cheese, butter, and powdered icing sugar together. Then add the lemon zest and lemon extract. Mix well and slowly add milk as needed. Beat until fluffy.
STEP 3: Decorate
After the cupcakes cool, fill a piping bag with the cream cheese frosting. Frost the cupcakes using a star tip on the piping bag, by creating a rose shape on the cupcake. Sprinkle with yellow sugar crystals and enjoy these delicious lemon cupcakes!
Recipe FAQs
Expert Tips for Making This Recipe
- This Recipe Can be Doubled: This is a great recipe for a crowd. Simply increase the ingredients proportionately and split it into two baking pans before baking.
- Short cut tip: Make the frosting while the cupcakes bake to save time.
What to Serve with Easy Lemon Cupcakes with Cake Mix
Easy Lemon Cupcakes with Cake Mix
Equipment
- 2 Large Mixing Bowls
- Measuring Cups and Spoons
- 1 Electric Mixer or Whisk
- Cupcake Liners
- Cupcake Baking Pan
- 1 Piping Bag
- 1 Star Shaped Piping Tip
Ingredients
- 355 Millileters Sprite, 1 Can
- 15 Ounces Lemon Cake Mix, 1 Box
- 8 Ounces Cream Cheese
- 2 Tablespoons Butter, softened
- 4 Cups Powdered Icing Sugar, as needed
- 2 Tablespoons Milk, as needed
- 2 Teaspoons Lemon Extract
- 1 Tablespoon Lemon Zest, about 1 large lemon
- Yellow Sugar Crystals, optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350ºF.
- Line a cupcake or muffin pan with cupcake liners. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, beat together the lemon cake mix and Sprite for 2 minutes.
- Scoop the cupcake batter with a ⅓ measuring cup into the prepared cupcake liners.
- Bake cupcakes for 25-30 minutes, until an inserted toothpick comes out clean.
- Allow the cupcakes to cool completely before frosting.
- In a large bowl, beat together the cream cheese, butter, and powdered icing sugar for 2 minutes.
- Add the lemon extract and lemon zest, beat to incorporate. Then add milk as needed. Beat until fluffy.
- Scoop the frosting into a piping bag fitted with a large star tip.
- Swirl the frosting onto the cupcakes to form a rose pattern.
- Sprinkle a touch of yellow sugar crystals in a crescent shape on one edge of the cupcake.
- Serve and enjoy!
Christina’s Notes
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- This Recipe Can be Doubled: This is a great recipe for a crowd. Simply increase the ingredients proportionately and split it into two baking pans before baking.
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- Short cut tip: Make the frosting while the cupcakes bake to save time.
For more helpful information about this recipe, such as variations, substitutions and other pro-tips, scroll up on the page.
