Lemon Curd Cupcakes: Vanilla Cupcakes with Lemon Curd Filling

Sharing is caring!

Lemon Curd Cupcakes: Vanilla Cupcakes With Lemon Curd Filling Whether you’re planning a spring brunch, a summer picnic, or a festive holiday gathering, these lemon curd cupcakes are the perfect dessert.

Their bright, lemony, citrusy flavor and customizable decorations make them a hit for any occasion. Let’s dive into creating these delightful treats and explore how to tailor them to your next celebration!

Lemon curd cupcakes sound fancy, right? Well, they’re surprisingly easy to make! Lemon lovers will love these cupcakes!

Lemon Curd Cupcakes: Vanilla Cupcakes with Lemon Curd Filling

Get ready for delicious lemon curd cupcakes! This easy recipe includes: baking vanilla cupcakes, making homemade lemon curd, and assembling. Simply core, fill, frost, and decorate the cupcakes for any season.

Are you looking for something else to bake? See all our baking recipes.

Vanilla Cupcakes with Lemon Curd Filling

Let’s make these lemon curd-filled cupcakes!

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 18–22 minutes
• Total Time: Approximately 1 hour (plus cooling time for the lemon curd)
• Yield: 12 cupcakes

Vanilla Cupcakes Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup butter (softened)
• 1 cup sugar (granulated)
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• ½ cup milk
• ¼ cup sour cream or plain yogurt

How To Make Vanilla Cupcakes

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners.
2. Mix dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
3. Cream butter and sugar: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar (together) with an electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3–4 minutes.
4. Incorporate eggs and vanilla: Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
5. Alternate wet and dry ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture in three additions, alternating with the milk in two additions. Begin and end with the dry ingredients.
6. Fold in sour cream: Gently fold in the sour cream or yogurt until fully incorporated.
7. Fill the muffin tins: Divide the batter evenly among the cupcake liners, filling each about ¾ full.
8. Bake: Bake for 18–22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
9. Cool: Allow the cupcakes to cool in the tin for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Lemon Curd Recipe

How To Make Lemon Curd

In the image are ingredients for making lemon curd and buttercream frosting.

Ingredients for Lemon Curd In Cupcakes

• 3 egg yolks
• 2 whole large eggs
• ¾ cup sugar (granulated)
• ½ cup fresh lemon juice (from 3–4 lemons)
• 1 tablespoon lemon zest
• 6 tablespoons butter, cut into small pieces

If you don’t want to make lemon curd you can purchase premade lemon curd to fill your cupcakes.

Step-By-Step Instructions For How To Make Lemon Curd

1. Set up a double boiler: Fill a saucepan with a few inches of water and bring to a simmer. Place a heatproof bowl over the saucepan, ensuring the bottom of the bowl does not touch the water.
2. Combine ingredients: In the bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, whole eggs, sugar, lemon juice, and lemon zest.
3. Cook the curd: Stir the mixture constantly over medium-low heat for 8–10 minutes or until it thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
4. Incorporate butter, and remove the curd from the heat. Gradually add the butter, a few pieces at a time, (stirring) until fully melted and smooth.
5. Strain and chill: Strain the curd through a fine-mesh sieve to remove any lumps. Cover with plastic wrap directly on the surface to prevent skin from forming, and refrigerate until completely chilled.

Don’t be intimidated by making lemon curd. Here are 8 different methods for making lemon curd you can try. The double boiler method gets 10/10. So give our recipe a try!

Vanilla Buttercream Frosting Recipe

How to make buttercream frosting for cupcakes

Ingredients for Buttercream Frosting

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 2 cups powdered sugar (confectioner sugar)
• 2–3 tablespoons heavy cream
• 1 ½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• Garnishes (optional)

If you don’t want to make buttercream frosting you can buy buttercream frosting ready to use.

Spring and Easter Garnishes

• Shredded coconut
• Mini Cadbury eggs
• Flowers, mini daisy icing decorations
• Cupcake Sprinkles

Seasonal Cupcake Decorations: Candies & Toppers

• Cupcake toppers (for birthdays, baby showers, bridal showers, baby’s first birthday, graduations, and other occasions).
• Edible Candies
• Edible Gold Leaf (Oh so pretty! Available in gold, rose gold, silver, and combos).
• Candy Sprinkles

Shop and find baking supplies at your local grocery store, craft hobby store, Target, or Amazon. If you are in a hurry you can buy lemon curd and buttercream frosting.

Instructions

How To Make Vanilla Frosting

1. Beat butter: In a large bowl, beat the butter on medium speed until smooth and creamy.
2. Add powdered sugar: Gradually add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, mixing well after each addition.
3. Incorporate cream and vanilla: Add 2 tablespoons of heavy cream and the vanilla extract. Beat on high speed for 2–3 minutes. If the frosting is too thick, add (an additional) a tablespoon of cream.

Image Credits DearCreatives.com

How To Assemble The Cupcakes; Steps: Coring, Filling With Curd, Frosting, and Decorating.

1. Core the cupcakes: Using a knife or cupcake corer, cut out a small hole in the center of each cupcake.
2. Fill with lemon curd: Spoon or pipe the chilled lemon curd into the center of each cupcake.
3. Frost the cupcakes: Pipe or spread the vanilla frosting on top of each cupcake, covering the lemon curd completely.
4. Garnish: Sprinkle with shredded coconut, add a mini Cadbury egg, and/or top with an edible flower for a decorative finish.
   Customize your cupcakes for any season! Use seasonal candies, sprinkles, or themed cupcake toppers.

Enjoy these light, lemony, citrusy, and creamy vanilla cupcakes with lemon curd centers and buttercream frosting for a special occasion, holiday, spring, Easter, or as a delightful sweet treat! They are easily customized for any holiday or birthday celebration cupcakes.

• New here? Be sure to Subscribe. Grab our bonus printable recipe binder and cooking resources. Plus, never miss a post with our newsletter!
• Don’t forget to Pin it for Later
• Follow us on Pinterest
• Shop our favorites on Amazon

Do you like making cupcakes for celebrations and holidays? Or to make and eat them?

Pin it for Later or Print the recipe below!

Print The Recipe For Lemon Curd Filled Vanilla Cupcakes

Continue to Content

Yield: 12

Lemon Curd Filled Vanilla Cupcakes

Print

Lemon Curd Cupcakes: Vanilla Cupcakes with Lemon Curd Filling - Made from scratch: Vanilla Cupcakes with Homemade Lemon Curd Filling and Buttercream Frosting.

Customize the toppings for your next celebration! Lemon curd cupcakes sound fancy, right? Well, they’re surprisingly easy to make! Lemon lovers will love these cupcakes!

Prep Time 30 minutes

Cook Time 18 minutes

Additional Time 1 hour

Total Time 1 hour 48 minutes

Ingredients

Vanilla Cupcakes

• 1 ½ cups all purpose flour
• 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup butter (softened)
• 1 cup sugar (granulated)
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon
• ½ cup milk
• ¼ cup sour cream or plain yogurt

Lemon Curd

• 3 egg yolks
• 2 whole large eggs
• ¾ cup sugar (granulated)
• ½ cup fresh lemon juice (from 3–4 lemons)
• 1 tablespoon lemon zest
• 6 tablespoons butter, cut into small pieces

Buttercream Frosting

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 2 cups powered sugar (confectioner sugar)
• 2–3 tablespoons heavy cream
• 1 ½ teaspoons
• Garnishes (optional - see notes)

Instructions

How to make homemade vanilla cupcakes

1. Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners.
2. Mix dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
3. Cream butter and sugar: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar (together) with an electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3–4 minutes.
4. Incorporate eggs and vanilla: Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
5. Alternate wet and dry ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture in three additions, alternating with the milk in two additions. Begin and end with the dry ingredients.
6. Fold in sour cream: Gently fold in the sour cream or yogurt until fully incorporated.
7. Fill the muffin tins: Divide the batter evenly among the cupcake liners, filling each about ¾ full.
8. Bake: Bake for 18–22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
9. Cool: Allow the cupcakes to cool in the tin for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

How To Make Lemon Curd

1. Set up a double boiler: Fill a saucepan with a few inches of water and bring to a simmer. Place a heatproof bowl over the saucepan, ensuring the bottom of the bowl does not touch the water.
2. Combine ingredients: In the bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, whole eggs, sugar, lemon juice, and lemon zest.
3. Cook the curd: Stir the mixture constantly over medium-low heat for 8–10 minutes or until it thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
4. Incorporate butter, and remove the curd from the heat. Gradually add the butter, a few pieces at a time, (stirring) until fully melted and smooth.
5. Strain and chill: Strain the curd through a fine-mesh sieve to remove any lumps. Cover with plastic wrap directly on the surface to prevent skin from forming, and refrigerate until completely chilled.

Vanilla Buttercream Frosting Recipe

1. Beat butter: In a large bowl, beat the butter on medium speed until smooth and creamy.
2. Add powdered sugar: Gradually add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, mixing well after each addition.
3. Incorporate cream and vanilla: Add 2 tablespoons of heavy cream and the vanilla extract. Beat on high speed for 2–3 minutes. If the frosting is too thick, add (an additional) a tablespoon of cream.

How To Assemble The Cupcakes; Steps: Coring, Filling With Curd, Frosting, and Decorating.

1. Core the cupcakes: Using a knife or cupcake corer, cut out a small hole in the center of each cupcake.
2. Fill with lemon curd: Spoon or pipe the chilled lemon curd into the center of each cupcake.
3. Frost the cupcakes: Pipe or spread the vanilla frosting on top of each cupcake, covering the lemon curd completely.
4. Garnish: Sprinkle with shredded coconut, add a mini Cadbury egg, and/or top with an edible flower for a decorative finish. Customize your cupcakes for any season! Use seasonal candies, sprinkles, or themed cupcake toppers.

Notes

Pick garnishes and cupcake toppings to go with your theme, birthday, celebration, or holiday. Customize the cupcakes, filling, and frosting as desired.

Spring and Easter garnishes

• Shredded coconut
• Mini Cadbury eggs
• Flowers, mini daisy icing decorations
• Cupcake Sprinkles

Seasonal Cupcake Decorations: Candies & Toppers

• Cupcake toppers (for birthdays, baby showers, bridal showers, baby’s first birthday, graduations, and other occasions).
• Edible Candies
• Edible Gold Leaf (Oh so pretty! Available in gold, rose gold, silver, and combos.)
• Candy Sprinkles

See the post for direct links to items. Or shop at your local grocery store, craft hobby store, Target, or Amazon. If you are in a hurry you can buy lemon curd and buttercream frosting.

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

• 
  Wilton 2105-6789 Perfect Results Premium Non-Stick Bakeware Muffin and Cupcake Pan, 12-Cup, STANDARD, Silver
• 
  Briout Cooling Rack for Baking, 2-Pack 16x10 Inches Baking Rack, Thick Wire Cookie Rack for Cooking, Roasting, Grilling, Drying, Oven Safe, Fits Half Sheet Pan, Rose Gold

Nutrition Information

Yield

12

Serving Size

1
Amount Per Serving Calories 714Total Fat 43gSaturated Fat 27gTrans Fat 2gUnsaturated Fat 14gCholesterol 221mgSodium 428mgCarbohydrates 78gFiber 1gSugar 65gProtein 7g

Not all nutritional information is always 100% accurate.

Happy cupcake making, baking, and dessert making! Have you ever made lemon curd before?

Are you looking for more lemon recipes to make? Or cupcake recipes?

Lemon Recipes:

• Lemon Pie Recipe
• Lemon Crinkle Cookies Recipe
• Lemon Poppyseed Bread Recipe
• No-Bake Lemon Pie
• No-Bake Lemon Tiramisu
• 30 Lemon Dessert Recipes
• Lemon Pound Cake
• Olive Oil Sugar Cookies are Lemony and Citrusy Crinkle Cookies
• Strawberry Lemonade Crinkle Cookies 
• Lemon Truffles
• Baking Recipes
• Treat Recipes
• Recipe Index

Go to our Cupcake Recipes

Here are a few of my favorite cupcakes to make and bake!

• Vanilla Cupcakes!
• Easy Easter Cupcakes
• Bunny Cupcakes
• You can make Jelly Bean Cupcakes for all types of celebrations such as Easter, Mother’s Day, birthdays, and baby reveal cupcakes. They are perfect for spring and summer celebrations but, decorate the tops to fit your season and theme. Everyone will love the surprise in the center! 

You might enjoy this post: Lemon decor to brighten up your kitchen!

• New here? Be sure to Subscribe. Grab our bonus printable recipe binder and cooking resources. Plus, never miss a post with our newsletter!
• Don’t forget to Pin it for Later
• Follow us on Pinterest
• Shop our favorites on Amazon

Sharing is caring!