Lemon Vanilla Mini Cupcakes

Mini-Lemon-Vanilla-Cupcakes-019-text
Today’s an exciting day for a couple of reasons. First of all, today’s my 27th birthday! I’m one of those people that loves celebrating birthdays (mine and others), so I’m looking forward to having all kinds of fun today. I’ll probably write more thoughts on being 27 tomorrow (you can see my post on turning 26 here, if you want).

Secondly, today’s exciting because it’s my first post as part of The Secret Recipe Club! The idea is that you’re assigned a blog each month, and you choose one of their recipes to make and post about. Fun, right? I was assigned Manu’s Menu, which has quickly become one of my favorite new food blogs. Her recipe index is amazing, and I found myself clicking on tons of different recipes and adding them to my “to make” list. Seriously, I’m dying to try this Garlic Naan. Manuela specializes in authentic Italian food, which had me drooling, and it made my choice of what to make especially hard!

I finally settled on her Vanilla and Lemon Mini Cupcakes for a couple of reasons. Firstly, because we were going to a Walking Dead premiere party, and I needed a dessert to bring, and secondly, because at the time I made them, it was just a few days before my birthday, and nothing goes with birthdays like cake! Most of you know how much I love vanilla, so these cupcakes are my dream come true. The cake part is a little spongy, and perfectly full of vanilla flavor, while the frosting has a nice balance of lemon and vanilla. All in all, these little treats were a big hit, and I can’t wait to try more of Manuela’s recipes!

Printable Recipe
Makes about 40 mini cupcakes

ingredients:
for the cupcakes:
1 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup plus 2 tbsp brown sugar
2 eggs, at room temperature
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup buttermilk
2 tbsp milk

for the frosting:
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup powdered sugar
1 tsp lemon extract
1 tsp vanilla extract
4 drops yellow food coloring

instructions:
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt, then set aside.
Mini-Lemon-Vanilla-Cupcakes-002

Beat together the brown sugar and butter.
Mini-Lemon-Vanilla-Cupcakes-003

Beat in the eggs, one at a time, then add in the vanilla.
Mini-Lemon-Vanilla-Cupcakes-004

Beat in the flour mixture, the buttermilk, and the milk by alternating with 1/3 of the flour mixture, 1/2 of the buttermilk, and 1/2 of the milk. Repeat with the next 1/3 of the flour mixture, the rest of the buttermilk, and the rest of the milk. Finish by adding in the last of the flour mixture.
Mini-Lemon-Vanilla-Cupcakes-005

Line a mini muffin pan with liners, then use a small scoop to evenly distribute the batter between the cups.
Mini-Lemon-Vanilla-Cupcakes-006

Bake at 330 for about 15 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cupcakes comes out clean.
Mini-Lemon-Vanilla-Cupcakes-008

Allow the cupcakes to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to fully cool. Meanwhile make the frosting by beating together the butter, powdered sugar, lemon extract, vanilla extract, and food coloring.
Mini-Lemon-Vanilla-Cupcakes-010

Once the cupcakes have cooled, put the frosting in a bag with desired tip and frost.
Mini-Lemon-Vanilla-Cupcakes-011 Mini-Lemon-Vanilla-Cupcakes-013

Enjoy!
Mini-Lemon-Vanilla-Cupcakes-017 Mini-Lemon-Vanilla-Cupcakes-020

Adapted from Manu’s Kitchen


18 Comments
  • Jenna
    October 20, 2014

    I am always looking for the perfect cupcake! These sound divine, and will go on my to make list too! Visiting from SRC, Happy Birthday!

    • ashleynevis
      October 26, 2014

      Thanks, Jenna – I’m so glad you stopped by! You definitely can’t go wrong with these little treats!

  • Erin @ Making Memories
    October 20, 2014

    Happy birthday! And welcome to SRC! Your cupcakes look wonderful!

  • chelsea jacobs
    October 20, 2014

    Happy happy birthday, friend! May this be your best year yet!

    • ashleynevis
      October 26, 2014

      Thanks, Chelsea! So far, it’s been great 🙂 Hope you’re having a good weekend!

  • Our Eating Habits
    October 20, 2014

    Welcome to the club, and to Group C! I hope you have a very happy birthday as well.

  • Manu
    October 20, 2014

    Hi Ashley!
    First of all Happy Birthday!!! And welcome to the SRC! 🙂
    I am so happy you enjoyed the cupcakes… lemon and vanilla is my favourite combination! 🙂 Thanks for all the nice words about my site!

    • ashleynevis
      October 26, 2014

      Hi Manu! I’m thrilled you were my first SRC match – I want to try so many of your recipes! These cupcakes were out of this world 🙂

  • Ginnie
    October 20, 2014

    Happy Birthday! Hope you bring the Steelers luck tonight!

    • ashleynevis
      October 26, 2014

      Thanks, Ginnie! Happy that they ended up winning last week, and hoping they can do the same today!

  • Debbi Does Dinner Healthy
    October 20, 2014

    Cupcakes rock! These are gorgeous! My kids of course are asking for these now! 🙂

    • ashleynevis
      October 26, 2014

      You really can never go wrong with cupcakes! And if they’re mini that means you can eat several, right? 🙂

  • Veronica
    October 21, 2014

    The frosting looks soooo creamy. I love cake, therefore I love cupcakes even better b/c they bake faster, and are so much easier to make…and eat. Yay cupcakes! 😀

    • ashleynevis
      October 26, 2014

      Totally agree – they’re so much easier than cake but just as delicious!

  • Margaret
    October 22, 2014

    Let’s see. Walking Dead. Birthday. Mini cupcakes. Sounds like a great way to spend time with friends..

    • ashleynevis
      October 26, 2014

      Haha, right? You really can’t ask for a better combo than those things!

Write a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *