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    Home » Recipes » Desserts (Baked) » Lemon Cupcakes with real Strawberry Frosting

    PUBLISHED: April 15, 2020 • By Toni Dash 51 Comments

    Lemon Cupcakes with real Strawberry Frosting

    Jump to Recipe

    This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    lemon cupcakes title
    Sunny Lemon Cupcakes with real Strawberry Frosting. A simple cake mix hack turns yellow cake into lemon cake batter for lemony cupcakes topped with real strawberry frosting. Gluten-free or regular. - BoulderLocavore.com

    Lemon Cupcakes brighten ANY day with tangy, sweet, sunny lemon flavor. This recipe is a box mix hack you’ll love. Topped with real Strawberry Frosting for a taste of summer.

    lemon cupcakes title

    Lemon cupcakes bring cheer into any day.

    The bright, sunny color and flavor make everyone happy!

    Add some easy homemade strawberry frosting on top and you’ve got summer in a cupcake.

    This box mix hack is fun to make with regular or gluten-free cake mix!

    Lemon Cupcakes

    Calling all lemon lovers! Moist, tangy, sweet lemon cupcakes are always a winner.

    AND you don’t need lemon cake mix to make them.

    In fact this cake box mix hack is even better than lemon cake mix.

    Transform easy-to-find yellow cake mix into a delicious dessert treat with a few little ingredients:

    Fresh lemon juice, lemon zest and lemon gelatin (yes, Jell-O, not pudding) make these cupcakes taste baked from scratch.

    No one will ever guess how easy they are to make.

    This is a perfect solution when lemon cake mix is not easy to find.

    lemon cupcakes with strawberry buttercream frosting

    Strawberry Frosting

    Strawberry Frosting is my favorite frosting of all time. It’s made with real strawberries! 

    Using strawberries, versus strawberry flavoring, gives the frosting an authentic flavor that’s fresh and delicious.

    Ingredients

    • Yellow Cake mix (regular or gluten-free)
    • Lemon Gelatin Dessert mix (Jell-O brand or equivalent)
    • Lemon Juice
    • Lemon Zest from 2 Lemons
    • Eggs as called for in the cake mix
    • Oil as called for in the cake mix
    • 1 batch Real Strawberry Frosting

    stack of lemon cupcakes with pink wrappers

    Lemon Zest

    Always zest the lemon before juicing it.

    I love this zester for fast zesting of any citrus fruit.

    Lemon Juice

    If possible use fresh lemon juice for this cupcake recipe. 

    PRO TIP: place the lemon in the microwave for 10 seconds to yield more juice.

    I prefer juicing lemons with a hand held juicer.

    Halve the lemon and squeeze then flip the lemon half to the other side and juice again for more juice!

    If fresh juice is not possible, use a bottled juice NOT from concentrate for the best flavor results.

    Making Gluten-Free Lemon Cupcakes

    I’m not sure if gluten-free lemon cake mix is even available. I used this yellow gluten-free cake mix for my lemon cupcakes.

    lemon cupcakes with strawberry frosting halved

    How to Make Lemon Cupcakes – Step-by-Step

    STEP 1: Preheat the oven to the time listed on the cake mix. Line a muffin pan with baking liners.

    STEP 2: Pour the cake mix and any ingredients called for on the mix into a mixing bowl (photos 1-2).

    Lemon Cupcakes recipe steps 1-4

    STEP 3: Add the lemon juice, lemon jello mix and lemon zest (photos 4-6); stir to combine.

    Lemon Cupcakes recipe steps 5-8

    STEP 4: Fill the molds as directed on the cake mix. Bake and cool as directed on the cake mix.

    freshly baked lemon cupcakes in pink liners

    STEP 5: Once the lemon cupcakes have cooled completely, frost them with Strawberry Frosting.

    lemon cupcakes frosted with strawberry frosting

    How to Store

    Frosted Cupcakes – In the Refrigerator

    If frosted, these cupcakes will need to be stored in the refrigerator.

    Place in a firm container (vs a bag) with a lid. Store for 4-5 days. 

    Allow to warm at room temperature before eating for best flavor.

    Storing Unfrosted Cupcakes

    At Room Temperature

    The unfrosted cupcakes can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for 2 days.

    NOTE: in hot or humid climate, store them in the refrigerator.

    In the Refrigerator

    Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

    In the Freezer

    After fully cooled, the unfrosted cupcakes can be placed in an airtight container and stored in the freezer for up to 6 months.

    stack of lemon cupcakes

    More Lemon Recipes You’ll Love

    • Lemon Cake Mix Cookies
    • Lemon Cheesecake with Lemon Oreos Crust
    • Lemon Pound Cake with Blueberry Swirl
    • Luscious Lemon Pie (no bake)
    • Nana’s Lemon Bars

    Try these Cupcake Recipes too!

    • Banana Cupcakes & Cream Cheese Buttercream Frosting
    • 4th of July Cupcakes
    • Ice Cream Cone Cupcakes for Easter
    • Shortcut Margarita Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Lime Frosting
    Did you make it? Please RATE THE RECIPE below!

    Please SUBSCRIBE and FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK , TWITTER , INSTAGRAM and PINTEREST !

    lemon cupcakes title

    Sunny Lemon Cupcakes with real Strawberry Frosting

    These cupcakes are easy to prepare by doctoring a yellow cake mix. Perfect for those gluten-free as lemon cake mix is hard to find. The strawberry frosting is flavored and colored by using real strawberries with no additional artificial coloring or flavors. It's the best frosting ever!
    5 from 25 votes
    Print Save Recipe Recipe Saved! Pin Rate
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Cook Time: 30 minutes
    Total Time: 45 minutes
    Servings: 24 cups (or quantity indicated on cake mix package used)
    Calories: 98kcal
    Author: Toni Dash
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients

    • 1 Yellow Cake mix (I used Pillsbury’s Gluten-Free Yellow Cake mix)
    • 1 3- ounce box Lemon Gelatin Dessert mix (Jell-O brand or equivalent)
    • ¼ cup Lemon Juice
    • Zest from 2 Lemons
    • Eggs as called for in the cake mix
    • Oil as called for in the cake mix
    • 1 batch Real Strawberry Frosting

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to the temperature called out in the cake mix. Line cupcake pan with wrappers (tip: I use double wrapper so any oil from the cupcakes are absorbed by the inner wrapper leaving the outer wrapper spotless).
    • Follow the cake mix directions to prepare adding the lemon juice, jello mix and lemon zest into the mix. Fill the cupcake molds as directed on the cake mix box and bake according to the mix directions. Allow to cool completely.
    • Frost with the Strawberry Buttercream Frosting.

    Notes

    Cooking time estimated and will depend on the cake mix selected for use.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 98kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 0g | Saturated Fat: 0g | Cholesterol: 0mg | Sodium: 178mg | Potassium: 12mg | Fiber: 0g | Sugar: 13g | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 45mg | Iron: 0.5mg
    Did you make this recipe?Mention @boulderlocavore or tag #boulderlocavore!

    Lemon Cupcakes are moist, tangy and sweet! 

    Originally published: September 4, 2016

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    ABOUT THE AUTHOR

    TONI DASH
    Toni Dash head shot

    Toni Dash, is a Certified Nutrition Coach and the writer/blogger, photographer, recipe developer and creator of Boulder Locavore®. She has been developing easy to make, well-tested recipes since 2010. Her seasonal recipes bring excitement to the dining table for both gluten-free and gluten diners. Toni has been featured in numerous publications and on culinary websites for her creative, delicious recipes and travel features. For more details, check out her About page.

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Lyanna Soria says

      April 17, 2020 at 12:09 am

      5 stars
      That lemon cupcakes look absolutely delicious! As well as the interesting combination of lemon and strawberry flavors. I’d love to make these with my kids.

      Reply
    2. wilhelmina says

      April 16, 2020 at 6:10 pm

      5 stars
      Strawberry and lemon are such a classic comb and it works perfectly in these cupcakes! They are like taking a bite sunshine, so yummy!

      Reply
    3. Sandra says

      April 16, 2020 at 5:05 pm

      5 stars
      These are really fun and delicious dessert! My kids loved them!

      Reply
    4. Claudia Krusch says

      April 16, 2020 at 11:37 am

      5 stars
      They look so delicious! Such a great Spring treat! I can hardly wait to make it!

      Reply
    5. Cathy says

      April 16, 2020 at 11:06 am

      This is the perfect flavor combination, and I love that the frosting is made with real strawberries!

      Reply
    6. Suzy says

      April 16, 2020 at 10:18 am

      5 stars
      Such a great idea doctoring up cake mix! Makes it super easy to make super tasty cupcakes!

      Reply
    7. Gust si Aroma says

      April 16, 2020 at 10:09 am

      5 stars
      I can’t resist to these lemon cupcakes. They are amazing!

      Reply
    8. Catalina says

      April 16, 2020 at 5:13 am

      5 stars
      These lemon cupcakes look amazing! I only can imagine how tasty they are!

      Reply
    9. Eileen M Loya says

      April 16, 2020 at 4:31 am

      5 stars
      One thing I have been doing differently during this quarantine period is that I do a lot of baking now. I like your cupcake recipe. I will make a big batch to give to my sister for her birthday this coming Tuesday. I am not confident yet in making cakes, but I can make nice cupcakes now. I am sure my sister will be happy to receive the tasty treats!

      Reply
      • Toni Dash says

        April 16, 2020 at 8:23 am

        I think many of us are baking more right now Eileen. This is definitely a great place to start u til you are feeling confident about cakes!

        Reply
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    Welcome! I’m Toni. I’m a Certified Nutrition Coach and my goal is to MAKE YOUR LIFE EASIER with delicious, well-tested recipes and travel tips! More About Me …

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