• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • Recipes
    • Biscuits & Cookies
    • Bread & Scones
      • Scones
      • Savoury bread
      • Sweet bread
    • Cake
      • Loaf Cakes
      • Swiss Roll
    • Cheesecake
    • Christmas
    • Cupcakes
      • Muffins
    • Desserts
      • Donuts
      • Fudge
      • Meringue
      • Pancakes
      • Truffles
    • Easter
    • Halloween
    • Sweet Tarts & Pies
    • Traybakes
      • Blondies
      • Brownies
      • Millionaire's Shortbread
      • Rocky Road
    • Valentine's Day
    • Vegan
  • Leftovers
    • Black Treacle
    • Christmas Leftovers
    • Egg Yolks
    • Jam
    • Marzipan
    • Ripe Bananas
    • Semolina
    • Stem Ginger
    • Wholemeal Flour
    • Zested Citrus Fruit
  • Conversions
  • About Me
  • Work With Me
  • Privacy Policy
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
The Baking Explorer
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • Conversions
  • Leftover Ingredients
  • About Me
  • Work With Me
  • Privacy Policy
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Lemon & Blueberry Cupcakes

    18/01/2019 by thebakingexplorer 32 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe
    Lemon & Blueberry Cupcakes

    Lemon & Blueberry is such a classic combination, it's always been one of my favourites. I love using up leftover blueberries by putting them in cupcakes, sometimes I don't even bother icing them, they're just great warm from the oven! Theses Lemon & Blueberry Cupcakes are packed with juicy blueberries and decorated with a zingy lemon buttercream for extra decadence. They would be great for afternoon tea, a party or a baby shower!

    How to make Lemon & Blueberry Cupcakes

    For the sponge, mix the butter, sugar and lemon zest together. Next whisk in the eggs and milk, and then whisk in the self raising flour.

    Divide the batter between 12 cupcakes cases and add fresh blueberries to each cake. Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden.

    Make the lemon buttercream by mixing together icing sugar, butter and lemon extract. Pipe it onto the cupcakes, then top them with fresh blueberries and lemon zest for decoration.

    Lemon & Blueberry Cupcakes

    How long do the cupcakes last for and can they be frozen?

    The cupcakes will last for 2-3 days in an airtight container in a cool place. Keep an eye on the fresh blueberries though and move the cupcakes to the fridge if required. You can freeze both the cupcakes and the buttercream. To freeze them separately, wrap the cupcakes well in cling film or put them in an airtight container. The buttercream can be frozen in a sealed tub. To freeze them decorated, freeze the cupcakes on a plate until frozen solid (without the fresh blueberries), then carefully wrap in cling film. Remove the clingfilm when you take the cupcakes out of the freezer to defrost, as if they defrost with it still on it could damage the buttercream

    Can you use lemon juice instead of lemon extract?

    It is best to use lemon extract for the buttercream as lemon juice won't give as strong a flavour, and you'll have to use a lot more of it which could make the buttercream sloppy. Lemon extract is quite widely available in supermarkets, or you can buy it online too. My favourite brand are Nielsen Massey, but there are many brands available.

    Can you make the cupcakes with plain/all purpose flour?

    Self raising flour, which is very commonly used in the UK where I am based, already contains a raising agent and a little salt too. Therefore if you want to swap it for plain or all purpose flour, you will need to add some additional baking powder and also a little salt if you like. Some people like to add salt to cake recipes and some don't, so I'll leave that up to you as it won't affect the bake. The general advice is to add 2 teaspoons baking powder (a measuring teaspoon, not the kind you stir your coffee with) per every 200g plain or all purpose flour. So for this recipe you'd need to add 1 + ¾ teaspoons baking powder. Please note, I have not tested this recipe using plain or all purpose flour.

    Can the cupcakes be made gluten or dairy free?

    Yes! For gluten free you can replace the self raising flour with a gluten free self raising flour blend. If you only have a gluten free plain flour blend, you will need to add baking powder. The general advice is to add 2 tsp baking powder per 200g flour, so for this recipe you'd need to add 1 + ¾ teaspoons baking powder. You may also like to add ¼ tsp Xantham Gum for better texture. For a dairy free version, use a dairy free baking spread for the cupcakes and the buttercream.

    More tips for making the Lemon & Blueberry Cupcakes:

    • I used an Ateco 829 to pipe the buttercream onto the cupcakes
    • I recommend using a good quality lemon extract (not an essence) to get the best lemon flavour in these cupcakes. I like to use the brand Nielsen Massey
    • If you want to add more blueberries to the cupcakes, you can add up to 6 per cupcake. Any more can make them soggy
    Lemon & Blueberry Cupcakes

    Recommended equipment & ingredients*

    • Cupcake tin
    • Cooling rack
    • Electric hand mixer
    • Piping bags
    • Zester
    • Lemon extract
    • Ateco 829 piping nozzle

    *I earn a small amount of money if you buy the products after clicking on the links. You will not be charged anything extra for this. Thank you for supporting The Baking Explorer!

    More lemon and blueberry recipes...

    • Lemon & Blueberry Cookies
    • Lemon & Blueberry Blondies
    • Lemon & Blueberry Loaf Cake
    • Lemon & Blueberry Dessert Pots

    Lemon & Blueberry Cupcakes

    Lemon and blueberry cupcakes with lemon buttercream and fresh blueberries on top
    5 from 12 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: British
    Keyword: Cupcake
    Prep Time: 30 minutes
    Cook Time: 20 minutes
    Total Time: 50 minutes
    Servings: 12
    Author: thebakingexplorer

    Ingredients

    For the sponge

    • 175 g Butter or baking spread softened, unsalted
    • 175 g Caster sugar
    • 1 Lemon zest only
    • 3 Eggs large
    • 175 g Self raising flour
    • 150 g Blueberries (about 4 per cupcake)

    For the buttercream

    • 200 g Butter softened, unsalted
    • 400 g Icing sugar
    • 2 tsp Lemon extract
    • 1-2 tbsp Milk

    For decoration

    • Lemon zest optional
    • 50 g Blueberries (about 3 per cupcake)
    Metric - US Customary

    Instructions

    • Pre heat your oven to 160C Fan/180C/350F/Gas Mark 4 and line a muffin tin with cupcake cases
    • Mix together the butter, sugar and lemon zest until light and fluffy, ideally using an electric mixer
    • Add the eggs and whisk in
    • Add the self raising flour and whisk in gently
    • Divide the mixture between the cupcakes cases, then add 4 blueberries to each cupcake and press them into the batter
    • Bake them for 20-25 minutes or until a skewer inserted comes out clean (it may have some bluberries juice on it but that's ok.) Put them on a rack to cool completely
    • To make the buttercream mix together the icing sugar and butter using an electric hand whisk or food mixer until they start to come together, then add the lemon extract and milk, and mix until smooth. You can also add some extra milk if the buttercream is too stiff
    • Put the buttercream into a piping bag fitted with a nozzle of your choice and pipe it onto the cupcakes
    • Add blueberries and lemon zest to decorate
    • Store in an airtight container in a cool place, eat leftovers within 3 days
    Made this recipe?Share on Instagram with me @TheBakingExplorer or tag #thebakingexplorer!

    Video

    Nutrition

    Calories: 491kcal | Carbohydrates: 62g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 27g | Saturated Fat: 16g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 108mg | Sodium: 240mg | Potassium: 63mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 49g | Vitamin A: 852IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 20mg | Iron: 1mg

    If you like this, check out more of my Cupcake recipes!

    « Nutella Bueno Cheesecake (No Bake)
    Crunchie Drip Cake »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Jacqui Bellefontaine

      January 18, 2019 at 12:42 pm

      5 stars
      Ohh these look really yummy.

      Reply
      • thebakingexplorer

        January 28, 2019 at 10:20 am

        Thanks Jacqui!

        Reply
    2. Midge @ Peachicks' Bakery

      January 19, 2019 at 5:21 am

      5 stars
      Oh my! Love anything with lemon & blueberry in! Definitely pinning this to make a me-safe version! Thanks for sharing #CookBlogShare

      Reply
      • thebakingexplorer

        January 28, 2019 at 10:22 am

        Thank you! I hope you enjoy them!

        Reply
    3. Hali

      January 19, 2019 at 11:47 pm

      I agree, blueberry and lemon is such a classic and refreshing combination! These cupcakes look beautiful and delicious. I'm dropping in from Fiesta Friday - thanks for sharing 🙂

      Reply
      • thebakingexplorer

        January 28, 2019 at 10:27 am

        Thanks so much, it's one of my favourite combinations!

        Reply
    4. Jhuls | The Not So Creative Cook

      January 20, 2019 at 7:19 am

      Ahhh! I missed eating muffins and these look so yummy! Thanks for sharing, Kat. Happy Fiesta Friday!

      Reply
      • thebakingexplorer

        January 28, 2019 at 10:27 am

        Thanks Jhuls!

        Reply
    5. Ai | Ai made it for you

      January 20, 2019 at 12:42 pm

      5 stars
      These look delicious Kat! And you had a baby shower! How exciting 😀
      Happy Fiesta Friday, mama!

      Reply
      • thebakingexplorer

        January 28, 2019 at 10:28 am

        Thank you! Yes it was such a fun day!

        Reply
    6. Rita

      January 23, 2019 at 3:44 am

      5 stars
      Kat, these are so delicious, will have to try one day. Take care and happy fiesta friday... pinning to my board and sharing on gb.

      Reply
      • thebakingexplorer

        January 28, 2019 at 10:34 am

        Thank you, I hope you enjoy them!

        Reply
    7. jenny walters

      January 23, 2019 at 3:21 pm

      5 stars
      What a delicious sounding cupcake literally bursting with fruity flavour. These look very special indeed. I could inhale at least six in a sitting and still feel like a lady! Thank you for sharing at #BakingCrumbs

      Reply
      • thebakingexplorer

        January 28, 2019 at 10:34 am

        Haha I like your thinking Jenny!

        Reply
    8. Jo Allison / Jo's Kitchen Larder

      January 24, 2019 at 9:58 am

      5 stars
      I absolutely love the sound of these cupcakes Kat! Lemon and blueberries are a classic combo plus they look so pretty and cute and light! Thank you for sharing with #BakingCrumbs 🙂

      Reply
      • thebakingexplorer

        January 28, 2019 at 10:35 am

        Thanks so much Jo!

        Reply
    9. Cat | Curly's Cooking

      January 29, 2019 at 9:26 pm

      5 stars
      I love lemon and blueberries together and love that you've added blueberries to the actual cupcakes.

      Reply
      • thebakingexplorer

        February 01, 2019 at 5:42 pm

        Thanks Cat! Blueberries in cake are one of my favourite things 😀

        Reply
    10. Kaye Enguerra

      March 11, 2019 at 8:41 pm

      Thank you for sharing this recipe! Please could I ask which pipping tip you've heard for these? They look lovely!

      Reply
      • thebakingexplorer

        March 13, 2019 at 10:40 am

        Thanks! I used an Ateco 829 🙂

        Reply
    11. Chloe

      October 07, 2019 at 10:55 pm

      lemon and blueberry, can’t go wrong! lovely cupcakes ?

      Reply
    12. Bruce

      February 13, 2020 at 12:01 am

      5 stars
      Have just made these, they are absolutely delicious

      Reply
      • thebakingexplorer

        February 13, 2020 at 1:12 pm

        Hi Bruce, thanks so much for letting me know, I'm so pleased you enjoyed them!

        Reply
    13. Bron

      July 14, 2020 at 4:54 pm

      5 stars
      Made today. Gorgeous and easy recipe, came out perfectly light and fluffy. Thank you Kat 😄😄

      Reply
    14. Jennie

      September 13, 2020 at 3:42 pm

      5 stars
      These were so tasty! Really easy and quick to make. Thanks Kat 🌟

      Reply
      • thebakingexplorer

        September 13, 2020 at 9:45 pm

        Thanks so much for your lovely feedback Jennie!!

        Reply
    15. Jax

      October 04, 2020 at 3:00 pm

      Hi Kat,

      I just had to let you know that I tried this recipe using blueberries from my own garden, the more natural the better for me. The texture and taste of this recipe is second to none. The best cupcake mix ever!! I looked at other recipes including muffin one's but I didn't like the fact that they use oil. I do not use hydrogenated oil at all, be it canola, sunflower seed or whatever. Thank you so much for sharing with us all. It will always be my 'go to' for any cupcakes I make from now on.

      Jax.

      Reply
      • thebakingexplorer

        October 05, 2020 at 5:50 pm

        Thank you so much Jax! This is such lovely feedback, you've really made my day!

        Reply
    16. Ammaarah

      March 10, 2021 at 4:44 pm

      5 stars
      These turned out absolutely amazing! It's definitely a recipe I can see myself using again and again especially during Spring and Summer. Highly recommend 🙂

      Reply
    17. Julie woods

      June 01, 2022 at 9:49 pm

      Hi can I leave the lemon zest out of these cupcakes as my son doesn’t like lemon and would it effect the taste and texture if I leave it out thank you in advance.

      Reply
      • thebakingexplorer

        June 03, 2022 at 8:54 am

        Hi Julie, yes you can leave it out with no ill effect. You may like to swap the lemon extract in the buttercream for vanilla extract 🙂 I hope you enjoy the cupcakes!

        Reply
    18. Karmen

      July 08, 2022 at 5:37 am

      5 stars
      I’ve made these last night and they are delicious, beryls soft and light. I always find cupcakes too sweet, especially with frosting on top so I might think of adding less sugar next time.m but that’s my personal preference. Great recipe.

      Reply

    Leave a review & recipe rating Cancel reply

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

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Find a recipe

    Hi, I'm Kat! Welcome to The Baking Explorer! Here you will find my easy and delicious collection of recipes and how to guides, to satisfy all of your sweet cravings and baking queries. Everything you see is vegetarian, and there are vegan options too! Read More…

    FIND ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

    Popular Recipes

    • Lotus Biscoff Cupcakes Lotus Biscoff Cupcakes
    • Maltesers Cheesecake (No Bake)
    • Victoria Sponge Cake Victoria Sponge Cake
    • Biscoff Cheesecake (No Bake)
    • Biscoff Cake
    • Victoria Sponge Cupcakes

    Recent Recipes

    • Vegan Chocolate Orange Cake

      Vegan Chocolate Orange Cake

      Jan 27, 2023
    • Chocolate Chip Cookie Pots for Two

      Chocolate Chip Cookie Pots for Two

      Jan 20, 2023
    • Cheese Scones

      Cheese Scones

      Jan 13, 2023
    • Vanilla Traybake Cake

      Vanilla Traybake Cake

      Jan 6, 2023
    • Food Days Calendar

      Food Days Calendar 2023

      Jan 2, 2023
    • Vegan Chocolate Orange Cookies

      Vegan Chocolate Orange Cookies

      Dec 30, 2022

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    Copyright © 2022 The Baking Explorer