Lemon cupcakes

Chef: Rachel Allen

These zesty lemon cupcakes by Rachel Allen are the perfect accompaniment for an afternoon cup of tea.

125g butter, softened

125g caster sugar

Finely grated zest ½ large lemon (keeping the zest of the remaining ½ lemon for the lemon icing)

2 eggs, beaten

150g plain flour

¼ tsp baking powder

For the lemon butter icing:

75g butter, softened

125g icing sugar, sifted

Finely grated zest of ½ large lemon

1-2 tsp freshly squeezed lemon juice

12 crystallised flowers (optional)

Preheat the oven to 180ºC/gas mark 4. Line a 12-hole cake tin with 12 paper cases.

Cream the butter in a large bowl or in an electric food mixer until soft. Add the sugar and grated lemon zest and beat until the mixture is light and fluffy. Gradually add the beaten eggs, then sift in the flour and baking powder and fold into the mixture. Alternatively, whizz all the ingredients together in an electric food mixer.

Divide the mixture between the paper cases and bake in the preheated oven for 7-10 minutes, until risen and golden. When cooked, the centre of each cake should be slightly springy to the touch. Remove the cakes from the tin and place on a wire rack to cool before you ice them.

To make the lemon butter icing, cream the butter in a bowl with a wooden spoon or hand-held electric beater until very soft. Gradually add the icing sugar and beat into the butter, along with the lemon zest and enough lemon juice to soften the icing, to a spreadable consistency.

When the cupcakes are cool, spread a generous heaped teaspoon of lemon butter icing over the top of each one. Decorate with the crystallised flowers (if using them).

Serves
12

Main ingredients
Dairy, Flour, Fruit

Recipe Type
Party Food, Cakes & Baking, Dessert, Cupcakes

Special Info
Vegetarian, Pregnant Mums

Level of Difficulty
Easy