Pink Lemonade Cupcakes

While regular cakes are ideal for some occasions there’s nothing like a tasty cupcake to put you in a good mood. Plus they’re so much more portable than slices of cake.

These pink lemonade cupcakes are so pretty to look at and they have the zingy flavor of pink lemonade. It’s really a perfect combination for parties or events- or when you just want a really zesty and cheerful dessert.

• Makes 12 cupcakes
• 2h prep time
• 22m cook time
• 369 calories

FOR THE CAKE:

• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• pinch salt
• 2 eggs, at room temp
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup butter, cubed
• 1/2 cup whole milk
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup frozen pink lemonade concentrate, thawed
• Pink or red food coloring

• FOR THE FROSTING:

  • 1 (16 oz) container cream cheese frosting
  • 3 tablespoons frozen pink lemonade concentrate, thawed
  • 1-3 tablespoon confectioners sugar
  • Pink or red food coloring
  • Pink candy sprinkles or jelly beans for garnish if desired

  PREPARATION

  1. Preheat oven to 350˚F. Line cupcake pan for 12 cupcakes.
  2. In a large bowl whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. In another bowl beat eggs for 2-3 minutes and then slowly add in sugar. Beat for another 2 minutes. Add flour to egg mixture 1/3 at a time.
  3. In a microwave-safe bowl combine milk and butter. Microwave for 30-60 seconds or until butter is melted. Add a few tablespoons of the egg-flour mixture to the hot milk to temper and then combine. Pour this into the rest of the egg-flour mixture and mix into dry ingredients, Stir in vanilla, vegetable oil, lemonade mix, and food coloring.
  4. Pour into cupcake pan and bake for 20-22 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Allow cupcakes to cool completely before removing from pan. Place in refrigerator at least 1 hour before icing.
  5. When ready to frost combine all frosting ingredients in a large bowl, using only 1 tablespoon of powdered sugar to start. Add more if frosting seems too thin. Place frosting in refrigerator for 30 minutes and then frost cupcakes using icing bag and tips or use the back of a spoon for a simpler look. Garnish with pink candy sprinkles or jelly beans if desired.