Lemon Raspberry Cupcakes with Vanilla Bean Buttercream

by on 8:03 am in Dessert, Entertaining, Food, Fruit, Vegetarian

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Fridays are extra-crazy where I’ve been working lately. One of my co-workers suggested one of us bring in treats every week in order to help mitigate the pain. Brilliant gal!

Being, well, me, I got all excited and volunteered to bring in the first happy-makers. I decided on cupcakes early on, as I’d teased my work friends with these bad boys but forgot them at home so instead they went to my guy’s office. All the way home, I dreamed up possible combinations. Chocolate with peanut butter buttercream and a little hunk of Reeses on top … salted caramel (with caramel filling, natch) … ooh! Or a dreamy raspberry, lemon and vanilla combo inspired by the flavors in this amazing cheesecake from, yes, The Cheesecake Factory (trust me, it’s delicious).

And so, lemon-raspberry it was. I decided on a delicious, moist lemon-buttermilk cupcake filled with good raspberry jam, topped with a simply amazing vanilla bean buttercream (I wish I’d come up the recipe myself).  Then I plopped the top with a fresh raspberry to hint at what will be found inside.

The gals at work took one look and said I should open up a cupcake shop. Did I mention they’re brilliant? ;)

Here’s the recipe!

Print this recipe Print this recipe

Lemon Raspberry Cupcakes with Vanilla Bean Buttercream

Yield: 24 cupcakes

Cupcakes adapted from Martha Stewart’s Cupcakes

Vanilla Bean Buttercream from Cook’s Illustrated via Brown Eyed Baker

Ingredients

Cupcakes:

  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 4 large eggs
  • 2 tablespoons lemon zest (about one large lemon or three small lemon’s worth)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 2/3 cup raspberry jam
  • 24 fresh raspberries (for topping)

Frosting:

  • 1 1/4 cups unsalted butter (2 1/2 sticks), room temperature
  • 1 vanilla bean
  • 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar (aka confectioner’s sugar)
  • Pinch salt
  • 2 tablespoons whipping cream
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Line 24 standard muffin tins with paper liners.
  2. In a large bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder and salt.
  3. With an electric mixer  with paddle attachment or stand mixer on medium speed, cream the butter and sugar together until pale and fluffy, about 3 or 4 minutes.
  4. Add the eggs one at a time, scraping the bowl down the sides as necessary.
  5. Beat in the lemon zest and the vanilla.
  6. Mix the lemon juice and the buttermilk together.
  7. Add the buttermilk/lemon mixture and the flour mixture to the batter in thirds. Pour 1/3 the flour mixture, then 1/3 the buttermilk mixture, beating until just combined, then repeat.
  8. Divide batter evenly between muffin cups. It usually works out to right around 1/4 cup of filling per cup.
  9. Bake for about 25 minutes, until cake tester comes out clean.
  10. Cool completely.
  11. While cupcakes are cooling, make the frosting. With a stand mixer with whisk attachment or a hand mixer, beat the butter on medium-high speed until smooth, about 20 seconds.
  12. With a paring knife, slice the vanilla bean length-wise, then scrape the seeds out with the tip of the knife. Add to the butter, and mix until incorporated.
  13. Add powdered sugar and salt, and beat on low until the powdered sugar is incorporated, about one minute. Increase the speed to medium and mix for another 30 seconds or so.
  14. Add the vanilla extract and heavy cream, and mix on medium for about 30 seconds until incorporated.
  15. Increase the speed to medium high, and beat for about four minutes, scraping down as needed, until the frosting is light and fluffy.
  16. Now add the raspberry to the cupcakes. Using a cupcake corer, melon baller or teaspoon, remove a bit out of the top of the cake.
  17. Add about a teaspoon and a half of raspberry jam.
  18. Fill a pastry bag (or Ziploc which is what I do in lieu of a pastry bag) with the buttercream and the tip of your choice, and frost!
  19. Plop the top with one fresh raspberry. Enjoy!
  20. They keep well at room temperature for a couple of days.


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14 Responses to “Lemon Raspberry Cupcakes with Vanilla Bean Buttercream”

  1. sarah May 10, 2011 at 9:43 pm #

    Oh my these are gorgeous!! I love the lemon-raspberry combo and the vanilla bean flecks in the buttercream- your photos and your blog are so lovely!
    { sarah recently posted Bear With Me }

    [Reply]

  2. Felice - All That's Left Are The Crumbs May 10, 2011 at 10:47 pm #

    Wow, these look so good. I love the combination of lemon and raspberry together, and the cream on top just makes it.
    { Felice – All That’s Left Are The Crumbs recently posted Marks Ricotta Hotcakes with Honeycomb-Crunchie® Butter }

    [Reply]

  3. Jill Colonna May 11, 2011 at 1:57 am #

    What a lovely site and great idea with fresh out the oven and recently served. Love it! Also adore these lemon/rasp cupcakes. Sounds delicious.
    { Jill Colonna recently posted Stinging Nettle Pesto }

    [Reply]

  4. Liz May 11, 2011 at 4:19 am #

    Wow! Look at those beauties! Lovely recipe…and fabulous photos~
    { Liz recently posted Chocolate Pots de Crème with White Chocolate Whipped Cream }

    [Reply]

  5. Annie May 11, 2011 at 4:35 am #

    I am really loving all of the great Spring flavors I have been seeing around lately. These cupcakes look so yummy! Just love the filling!

    [Reply]

    Reply from Kare:
    May 16th, 2011 at 8:04 am

    Thanks, Annie! The raspberry filling definitely makes it.

    [Reply]

  6. Xiaolu @ 6 Bittersweets May 11, 2011 at 8:24 pm #

    These look super adorable. Great job with the piping!
    { Xiaolu @ 6 Bittersweets recently posted Silpat Giveaway Winner! }

    [Reply]

  7. Mindy May 12, 2011 at 9:14 am #

    These look so good, and you did a lovely job with the piping.
    { Mindy recently posted Toronto Bakes for Japan }

    [Reply]

    Reply from Kare:
    May 16th, 2011 at 8:04 am

    Thank you, Mindy!
    { Kare recently posted How to Steam an Artichoke }

    [Reply]

  8. Mikaela Cowles May 13, 2011 at 6:35 pm #

    My first though when I saw the picture was, well, something not wholesome enough to write. My second was, I think I should make these. YUM! Seeing the broken open picture somehow makes me think of fair scones….
    { Mikaela Cowles recently posted Moments – Baked Zucchini }

    [Reply]

    Reply from Kare:
    May 16th, 2011 at 8:03 am

    Oh my gosh Mikaela, totally. It only took me about 15 minutes to realize what the homepage image looked like. I tried to tell myself it was just me in the gutter … I’m glad I’m in good company! :)

    [Reply]

  9. Isabel May 21, 2011 at 12:12 am #

    We made our free throws down the stretch and that was huge. We came out of the gate pretty good to start the first and second halves, and A.J. gave us a nice spark off the bench.

    [Reply]

  10. Diablo 2 Runes June 8, 2011 at 3:13 am #

    There is evidently a lot to know about this. I believe you made certain good points in features also. Could you update me with your next post please?

    [Reply]

  11. DessertStalking July 9, 2011 at 10:57 am #

    Will definitely be giving these a try!
    { DessertStalking recently posted Jenni’s goat cheese ice cream }

    [Reply]

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