What to do when a fierce Nor’easter dumps 14 inches of snow in your yard? My advice is to make a batch of Lemon Buttercream, and swirl it sky-high on cupcakes! Here’s the recipe for this fabulicious frosting:
Take 2 sticks (1 cup) of thoroughly-softened butter…
And beat it, at medium speed, until it’s light, fluffy, and pale in color — about 5 minutes.
Turn off the machine, and add 5 cups confectioners’ sugar.
Also add the zest of 1 lemon…
And the juice of the (zested) lemon.
Starting at low speed, and ending at high speed, beat the works until thick, wonderful, and tempting.
Oh. If the mixture is too thick, you can always thin it out with more lemon juice or plain water. If the frosting is too thin, simply add more confectioners’ sugar.
This next step is entirely up to you: Add a streak of yellow food coloring (I prefer the gel-type)…
And beat the frosting at medium-to-high speed until the color is evenly distributed — about 30 seconds.
This next step is not optional: Lick the beating attachment.
If you are spreading (not piping) the buttercream, you’ll find this recipe is ample enough for 24 cupcakes, one 9×13 sheet cake, or two 8-inch round cakes. To achieve the lemony swirls pictured above, I simply transferred the buttercream to a piping bag outfitted with a star tip.
Yes, I ate all three cupcakes.
(Oink.)
xKevin
Here’s the printable:
Bright with lemon juice and lemon zest, this frosting is delicious on cakes, cupcakes, and more.
Ingredients
- 2 sticks (1 cup) butter, softened to room temperature
- 5 cups confectioners' sugar
- The grated zest of 1 lemon
- The juice of 1 lemon
- Optional: yellow food coloring
Instructions
- In the bowl of a stand mixer (or any large bowl if using electric beaters), beat the butter at medium speed until light, fluffy, and pale -- about 5 minutes. Turn the mixer off, scrape down the bowl, and add the sugar, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Starting at low speed and ending at high speed, beat until the mixture is thick and smooth -- about 4 minutes. Add the food coloring, if desired, and beat at medium-to-high speed until the color is evenly distributed -- about 30 seconds.
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Janis says
Thank you, Kevin. This recipe looks delicious. Cannot wait to try it. Hope the sunshine breaks thru soon
Elke says
Kevin, are you using unsalted or salted butter? Love your site!
Mary V says
Three cupcakes about the size of 1 piece of cake! They looks delicious too.
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Hi Elke – I use unsalted butter, but the salted type will work as well. Enjoy the frosting!
Michelle says
Yum. That is all.
Joan says
This has “Spring” written all over it…and I sure am ready!
I would eat them all too! Love Lemon anything. Thanks!
Jeannette Chapman says
Kevin, thanks for sharing, just in time for Easter, I will be making this Lemon Buttercream Icing, I can taste it already. Can’t wait
Jeannette says
Kevin, thanks for posting this icing recipe. Just in time for Easter . I will be making this Lemon Buttercream Icing, I can’t wait taste the icing already!
Bunee says
Simple. Perfect. Yummy.
Barbara says
Yum!! luv,luv,luv lemon!! Thanks..
Laurie says
Hello Kevin,
Thank you so much for sharing your winter garden knowledge. Now I can start my winter garden without worrying when the last frost date was.
From Texas,
Laurie
Ardelle says
Lemon, Lemon, Lemon… Anything lemon is always a hit… YUMMMY! THANKS!
Mary in NJ says
I love lemon! But found out recently that I am lactose intolerant : – (
Any substitute for the butter with the same great taste?
rmsd says
Thanks so much, Karen!
CAROL says
Sorry about your many inches of snow… that’s why I love Texas.. it’s 70 degrees and sunny!
Lemon reminds me of my mom, she loved lemon anything. I’m sure she would have enjoyed this recipe.
Hope you can dig out soon and stay safe.
Carol
Texas
Lorhkan says
Darn autocorrect I hope you both have fun making and shaking that confectioners sugar! Thanks, Hil!
kt mm says
Oh, Kevin, you gotta get to Albany. Trader Joe’s has Meyer lemons which would be perfect for this recipe! 🙂
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Hi kt mm — I adore Meyer lemons!
Rebecca says
Every year my son asks for the same thing: Lemon cake. Lemon frosting. Sprinkles.
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Hi Rebecca – And you are a good mother for honoring your son’s lemonicious requests!
Lynn says
Thank you so much for this recipe! It is exactly what I was looking for. I made it just as it is written and it couldn’t have turned out better. The flavor and texture were perfect!! It was beautiful piped onto my lemon cupcakes with lemon filling…
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Hi Lynn -I’m so glad this recipe worked out for you. Thanks for the kind review!