Delicious Raspberry Lemon Cupcakes Recipe

Same. Honestly, I love desserts, but spending hours in the kitchen covered in flour like a human powdered donut? No thanks. That’s why these Raspberry Lemon Cupcakes are my jam (pun fully intended). They’re bright, zesty, and have that “I actually know what I’m doing in the kitchen” vibe—without you actually needing to be a baking genius.

They’re also cute. Like, dangerously cute. The kind of cupcakes you’d see on Instagram with 200 comments saying “OMG recipe???” And now, you’re about to be the person who has that recipe.

Why This Recipe is Awesome?

Let’s get real: not all recipes are worth your time. This one? Total winner. Here’s why:

  • It’s idiot-proof. Even I didn’t mess it up, and I once burned toast… in a toaster.
  • Flavor explosion – Lemon keeps it tangy, raspberries bring the sweet-tart magic, and together they’re basically dessert soulmates.
  • Quick to make – You could whip these up before a Netflix episode ends (well, almost).
  • They look fancy AF – Great for birthdays, brunch, or when you want people to think you “just threw something together.”
  • One bowl for the batter – Minimal dishes = happier you.

Ingredients

For the cupcakes:

  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour – Nothing fancy.
  • 1 cup granulated sugar – The real sweet stuff.
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, softened – Don’t use margarine. Respect yourself.
  • 2 large eggs – Room temp, so they mix like a dream.
  • ½ cup milk – Any kind, but whole milk is chef’s kiss.
  • 2 tsp baking powder – Not soda, unless you want lemon-flavored bricks.
  • Zest of 1 large lemon – This is where the magic starts.
  • 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice – Bottled lemon juice? No. Stop.
  • 1 cup fresh raspberries – Or frozen, but thaw and pat dry so your cupcakes don’t turn into berry soup.

For the frosting:

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened – Yes, more butter. This is not diet food.
  • 3 cups powdered sugar – Aka snow for your cupcakes.
  • 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice – For that zesty kick.
  • 1 tbsp milk – Adjust if you want fluffier frosting.
  • ½ cup mashed raspberries – Strained if you want it smooth.
    Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these, and you’re golden (literally—golden cupcakes).

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Yes, before you start mixing. Rookie mistake otherwise.
  2. Line a muffin tin with cute cupcake liners. Or mismatched ones—this isn’t a fashion show.
  3. Cream butter and sugar together in a big bowl until it’s light and fluffy. This is your arm workout for the day.
  4. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each. No egg chunks in our cupcakes, thank you.
  5. Mix in lemon zest and juice. Inhale deeply. Smell that? That’s happiness.
  6. In a separate bowl, whisk flour and baking powder. Then slowly add to wet ingredients, alternating with milk.
  7. Fold in raspberries gently. We want them whole-ish, not raspberry purée.
  8. Spoon batter into cupcake liners, filling ⅔ full. Not to the top unless you want muffin volcanoes.
  9. Bake for 18–20 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. No toothpick? A dry spaghetti strand works too.
  10. Cool completely before frosting. Completely. Unless you enjoy watching frosting slide off like a sad landslide.

For the frosting:

  1. Beat butter until creamy.
  2. Gradually add powdered sugar, lemon juice, and milk. Keep beating until smooth.
  3. Fold in mashed raspberries for color and flavor.
  4. Pipe or slather onto cooled cupcakes. Bonus points for topping with a whole raspberry.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Skipping the preheat – Your cupcakes will rise weird, like awkward teenage years.
  • Overmixing the batter – This makes them tough. We want fluffy, not chewy.
  • Using bottled lemon juice – Just no. Fresh is brighter, tastier, and makes you look like a pro.
  • Not drying raspberries – Extra water = soggy cupcakes. Ew.
  • Frosting too soon – Unless you like melty pink puddles on top.

Alternatives & Substitutions

  • No raspberries? Use blueberries, blackberries, or even chopped strawberries. Still delicious.
  • Gluten-free? Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. It works like a charm.
  • Vegan twist – Swap butter for vegan butter, eggs for flax eggs, and milk for almond or oat milk. Flavor’s still top tier.
  • Want extra lemony punch? Add a few drops of lemon extract to the batter and frosting.
  • Feeling fancy? Core the cupcakes and fill with lemon curd before frosting. Yes, people will be impressed.

FAQs

Q: Can I use frozen raspberries?

A: Yep, but thaw and pat them dry like you mean it.

Q: Can I make these ahead?

A: Absolutely. Bake the cupcakes, store them unfrosted, then frost before serving.

Q: Can I use margarine instead of butter?

A: Technically, yes… but why hurt your soul like that?

Q: Do I have to use fresh lemon juice?

A: Yes. Otherwise, the Lemon Gods will be displeased.

Q: How long do they last?

A: About 3–4 days in an airtight container. But let’s be real—they’ll be gone in 24 hours.

Q: Can I freeze them?

A: The cupcakes, yes. The frosting, not so much. Make it fresh.

Q: How many does this make?

A: About 12–14 cupcakes, depending on how generous you are with batter.

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Final Thoughts

And there you have it—Delicious Raspberry Lemon Cupcakes that will make you look like a baking rockstar without breaking a sweat. Bright, tangy, and just sweet enough to keep you coming back for “just one more” (we all know that’s a lie).

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