Raspberry Lemon Heaven Cupcakes Delightful and Refreshing

Ingredients

• 1.5 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 0.5 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2 large eggs
• 0.5 cup buttermilk
• 2 tablespoons lemon zest
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 0.5 teaspoon baking soda
• 0.25 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup fresh raspberries (plus extra for topping)
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened (for frosting)
• 3-4 cups powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice (for frosting)
• 1 tablespoon lemon zest (for frosting)
• 1 pinch salt (for frosting)
• as needed fresh raspberries for garnish

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a standard cupcake tin with paper liners.
2. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy (about 3-4 minutes). Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
3. Stir in the buttermilk, lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla extract until well combined.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
5. Gently fold in the fresh raspberries, taking care not to break them up too much.
6. Distribute the batter evenly among the cupcake liners, filling each about 2/3 full.
7. Bake in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Remove from the oven and let them cool in the tin for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
8. In a medium bowl, beat the softened butter with electric beaters until creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, lemon juice, and lemon zest while mixing, until smooth and fluffy. If the frosting is too stiff, add a teaspoon of milk to reach the desired consistency.
9. Once the cupcakes are completely cool, use a piping bag or a spatula to frost each cupcake with the lemon buttercream frosting.
10. Top each cupcake with a fresh raspberry for an extra touch of flavor and decoration.