These lemon cupcakes are the best you’ll ever eat! Made with a box of cake mix, this cupcake recipe is super easy to make and they taste amazing!
Cupcakes are one of my favorite desserts because they are so easy and versatile. Some of my other favorite cupcakes are these Pinata Cupcakes, Key Lime Cupcakes and Carrot Cake Cupcakes recipes.
Easy Lemon Cupcakes
Is there anyone out there who doesn’t love a good cupcake? They remind me of birthday parties and special occasions from childhood, and they just make me happy! As much as I love to bake cupcakes, sometimes I don’t have the time or energy to make them from scratch.
Using a cake mix to make cupcakes is the perfect shortcut! By adding a few simple ingredients to a basic cake mix, you can get that delicious homemade taste without putting in all the effort. Cupcake win!
These delicious lemon cupcakes could not be easier to make! You’ll start with a lemon cake mix, then add egg whites, buttermilk, sour cream, oil, and vanilla. The buttermilk and sour cream add so much richness to the cake mix, and give it that delicious homemade taste.
How To Make Cake Mix Lemon Cupcakes
Preparation – Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Grab two cupcake tins and line them with cute paper cupcake liners.
Cupcake Batter – Whisk together the vanilla, buttermilk, egg whites, sour cream and oil in a large mixing bowl. Next, add in the cake mix and stir until everything has combined. Scoop the batter into the cupcake liners, filling each one about 2/3 of the way.
Baking – Cook the cupcakes in the oven for about 20-22 minutes. You’ll know they’re done, once you can stick a toothpick in the center and have it come out clean. Let them cool completely before frosting them.
Cream Cheese Frosting
My favorite frosting to use for these lemon cupcakes is this totally amazing Cream Cheese Frosting. The flavors complement each other perfectly, and I love that the frosting is so light and silky. And if you need some tips for frosting beautiful cupcakes, be sure to check out our Basic Cupcake Tips!
- Combine the softened cream cheese and butter, vanilla, salt powdered sugar and milk into a bowl
- Using an electric mixer, beat everything until the frosting is smooth
- Frost the cupcakes
Baking Tips
Mixing – Be sure to mix the wet ingredients together first, then add the cake mix to the bowl. This will allow the ingredients to mix properly and have a consistent flavor.
Be careful not to over mix the batter. If you over-mix them, the texture of the cupcakes won’t turn out as well. Stir everything until they have just combined.
Storage – If you’re going to make the frosting ahead of time, be sure to cover it tightly so it doesn’t dry out. I usually smash down a piece of parchment paper over the top of the frosting so that it’s airtight.
Cooling – Once the lemon cupcakes are baked, let them cool completely before frosting. If you try to frost them when they’re even the slightest bit warm, the frosting will melt and slide right off of them.
Other Delicious Lemon Recipes
- Lemon Cool Whip Cookies
- Lemon Chex Mix Recipe
- Cake Mix Lemon Cookies
- Sugar Cookie Lemon Bars
- Lemon Cheesecake Mousse
Lemon Cupcake Recipe
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Lemon Cupcakes Recipe
Ingredients
for the cupcakes:
- 4 egg whites
- 2/3 cup sour cream
- 1/3 cup oil
- 3/4 cup buttermilk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 package lemon cake mix
for the frosting:
- 8 oz package of cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup butter, softened
- 1 tsp vanilla
- dash of salt
- 3-4 cups powdered sugar
- 2-3 tbsp milk
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Line two cupcake tins with paper liners.
- To make the cupcakes, in a large bowl, whisk together the egg whites, sour cream, oil, buttermilk, and vanilla. Add the cake mix, and mix until just combined (be careful not to over-mix). Scoop the batter into the prepared cupcake tins, filling 2/3 full.
- Bake 20-22 minutes, or until the tops spring back when touched lightly, and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let cool completely.
- To make the frosting, combine all ingredients in a medium bowl. Beat with an electric mixer until well blended and smooth. Frost the cupcakes with the cream cheese frosting.
Nutrition
Other Notes
Hello! I can’t tell how old this recipe is so am not sure what size cake mix to use! Newer ones are smaller. Thanks!
These were delicious and so light! Have you (or anyone else who has made these) tried lemon extract or lemon juice instead of the vanilla?
I haven’t tried it, but that sounds delicious! If you try it, let me know how it tastes! (Now I’m craving lemon cupcakes!)
These cupcake are amazing, I have also filled with a lemon curd and white butter cream with a streak of yellow icing gel and sprinkle yellow sugar. I get ask to make them all the time.
Ok, I need to try the lemon curd filling in these cupcakes! That sounds amazing!
These moist lemon cupcakes are so simple to make and SO GOOD!
I think so too! 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!
I love all your recipe shortcuts. They turn out as good… if not BETTER than things made entirely from scratch. Thanks for this yummy cupcake recipe. We love lemons and cant get enough of lemon desserts. These were fluffy, light and perfectly tangy.
I’m so with you! This recipe is one of my favorites!
So moist and delicious! Wonderfully easy, and made with ingredients I usually have on hand! Love that! Lemon is one of my absolute favorites so I will definitely be making this again!
So glad you enjoyed this recipe! 🙂
I made the frosting and the cupcakes for my moms birthday! She loves everything lemon and cream cheese. I can’t wait for her to try them. I tried one and I loved it! Thanks so much!!
You bet! So glad to hear you loved them! I’m with you, I’m a sucker for anything with a cream cheese frosting!
Hi! Can you use liquid egg white for the recipe? If so how much? Thanks!
I’ve never tried it before, so I couldn’t say for sure. If you try it, let me know how they turn out.
Stephanie, did you change this recipe recently? I swear I made this a few weeks ago and it had pudding mix and no buttermilk?
I actually did just update this recipe recently. After some of the feedback I received on the old recipe, I decided to do a little experimenting and update the recipe. This one is similar to the old one but I think it’s even better.
Can I have the old recipe? And the other recipe for the frosting?
I don’t have the original one – sorry about that!!! 🙁
How refreshing! Lemon is one of my favorites and I can’t wait to make these!
You’re going to LOVE them, I promise!
I love everything about these! Lemon is such a refreshing flavor! That frosting is one of my favorites, too!
Totally agree, there’s nothing better than cream cheese frosting!
These are like little rays of sunshine! Love lemon desserts especially for summertime. Yum!
Aren’t they the best?!?!
Definitely the best! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks, I’m glad you enjoyed them!
I need these in my life ASAP!! This recipe combines 2 of my favorite things – lemon and cupcakes!
You’re going to love these!
I made these for my grandson’s birthday party. I added lemon curd on top of the cupcake and under the frosting, they were a huge hit. Thanks so much for sharing your recipe!
The pictures of your cupcakes look delicious, but was quite disappointed when I saw the cake mix!!! What is this world coming to?? Can’t anyone be bothered to avoid preservatives and put a little effort into baking from scratch?? Its really not that hard
Made these tonight very tasty loved them!
I used the BC lemon super moist with pudding added and my cupcakes all sank in the middle when I took them out of the oven. Never had that happen before so I’m assuming it was the extra pudding. The flavor was amazing though!!
All i could find at the store is betty crocket super moist lemon cake mix. It says it has pudding in the mix. Should i still add the instant pudding?? Thanks! Making these for easter!
Oh no! I’m so sorry I didn’t get back to you before Easter! Did you make these cupcakes? Did you decide yes or no on the pudding? I’ve never noticed a cake mix that already has pudding in it, so I wouldn’t really know. I’m interested to see what you did and how they turned out!
That’s me in your trackbacks. Just wanted to say thanks for posting this recipe. It was fantastic and a real crowd-pleaser. I made sure to give you proper attribution for the recipe. Thanks again!
I tried these cupcakes and they were awesome!!! The lemon head candies on the top were a great addition. This will definitely be a go to recipe.
I’m so glad yo like them Diana!
Photos are absolutely gorgeous!!! Could eat these cupcakes right off the screen. Will be baking this weekend for sure. Thanks!!
LOVED these!! Like the tartness with the sweet.
I love lemon baked goods and these are so sweet!