When life gives you lemons, you make lemonade, right? But when one of your BFFs gives you homemade Limoncello you make Limoncello Cupcakes! I hope you are ready for another lemon recipe!
For Christmas my friend Steph gave me a bottle of her homemade Limoncello. I knew she had been working on making a batch and she was explaining how involved it was and then lo and behold I received my very own bottle! It was one of my favorite gifts....
....and I had the perfect recipe to try it out on. This cupcake recipe is one of my favorites - it is made from scratch with lemony cake, lemon curd and a lemony buttercream frosting - it a lemon explosion in your mouth!
And you know I'm such a lemon lover. eggs cooking. Add back to pan and cover over medium heat whisking constantly until thickened. Pour into bowl and place plastic wrap on top (after it cools a bit) and cool completely.
I made this cupcake special for my friend Jamie from Love Bakes Good Cakes who is celebrating her 2nd blog anniversary - stop by and wish her a happy blog-iversary!
Other lemon recipes you might enjoy:
Get the Recipe
Limoncello Cupcakes
A lemony cupcake that is light and airy
Ingredients
Cupcakes
- 1 ½ cups flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ stick butter softened
- 2 oz cream cheese softened
- 1 cup sugar
- 3 eggs
- 1 T limoncello liqueur
- ½ cup buttermilk
- ¼ cup lemon juice
- zest of one lemon
Lemon Curd
- ½ cup fresh lemon juice
- zest of 2 lemons
- ¼ cup sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 egg yolk
Frosting
- ½ stick butter softened
- 6 oz cream cheese softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 2 T limoncello
Instructions
- For cupcakes – preheat oven to 325. Beat softened butter and cream cheese.
- Add sugar and mix until light and fluffy.
- Add eggs one at a time and mix well after each.
- Add limoncello and beat until well mixed.
- Sift flour, baking powder and salt. Alternate adding flour and buttermilk to butter mixture.
- Mix in lemon juice and zest until just combined.
- Pour into baking cups and bake at 325 about 20 or until toothpick comes out clean (this makes 18 cupcakes)
- Curd - mix lemon juice, zest and sugar over medium heat until boiling. In separate bowl beat egg and additional yolk. Whisk lemon mixture into eggs (be sure to add a little bit at a time and constantly whisk so you don’t end up with the eggs cooking. Add back to pan and cover over medium heat whisking constantly until thickened. Pour into bowl and place plastic wrap on top (after it cools a bit) and cool completely.
- Frosting - beat butter and cheese cream until smooth; add limoncello and beat until smooth. Beat in powdered sugar until desired consistency.
- T assemble : scoop out some cupcake with a melon ball scooper to make a small hole; fill with lemon curd and then frost as desired.
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Vicki @ lifeinmyemptynest says
I've had homemade limoncello and it was amazing - must be fab in the cupcakes too!
Cindy Eikenberg, Little Miss Celebration says
Oh, Deb, I LOVE Limoncello! These cupcakes sound perfect!!! So much fun doing the cupcake party for Jamie with you. Pinning!
Joan / My Cookie Clinic says
Deb, I hope you saved some Lemoncello for sipping. Pinning
Cindy says
Deb--these look beautiful! I am a lemon lover too. Is there enough lemon flavor without the lemoncello? We do not use alcohol--would I up the lemon juice or maybe add some lemon flavoring.
Marjory @ Dinner-Mom says
Never had limoncello...but, I'm ready to try some. These look delicious!
Nancy Piran says
These cupcakes look INCREDIBLE Deb!!
cooking with curls says
I love Limoncello, but I have never made my own! I guess I should give it a try sometime. These cupcakes look amazing Deb, I can only imagine how wonderful they taste! 🙂
Carrie R says
These cupcakes look so bright and pretty, Deb! 🙂 I am so ready for spring flavors! Pinned & sharing!
Zainab Mansaray says
I love limoncello!! These cupcakes will definitely be made and loved!! So beautiful!
Amy Lee Scott says
Deb, these are so gorgeous! And lucky you, homemade limoncello 🙂
Lulu Abruzzo says
I love limoncello so these sound (and look) delicious!
Kelly LifemadeSweeter says
These cupcakes look amazing Deb! I am a lemon lover too and love the sound of all the lemon flavors in here - that homemade limoncello sounds fantastic too 🙂 Pinning 🙂
Jamie @ Love Bakes Good Cakes says
Beautiful cupcakes, Deb! I am loving all of the lemon flavors in here! Thank you so much for celebrating with me!! {hugs!!}
Krista Rollins says
Wow! Seriously amazing pictures Deb! Can't wait to try this lemon beauty!
Krista @ Joyful Healthy Eats
Cindy Eikenberg, Little Miss Celebration says
Deb, just popping in (again) to thank you so much for sharing these beautiful cupcakes at Best of the Weekend and of course they totally deserve a second comment! 🙂 Have a great Sunday!
Diane Balch says
I have some limoncello that I need to use. Thanks for the inspiration.
Jelli B. says
These look delicious, Deb. My granny, who'd never previously been an alcohol connoisseur went to Italy and came back raving about limoncello. Needless to say, I tried it and love it too. I'm sure it would make a perfect flavoring for cupcakes.
Adelina Priddis says
All that lemon sounds amazing!!
Cathy Trochelman says
These look so incredible...I love that they are filled with lemon curd. My favorite!
Theresa says
Thanks for sharing at the Inspiration Spotlight party. Pinned & shared.
Kathy Davis says
I'm excited about this recipe. We were in Italy last summer and have a bottle of limoncello. I'm going to make these for Easter.
Charlene says
I’ve made these twice now. The first time I accidentally cooked my egg when doing the curd, but got it right the second time. I’ve ended up with too much frosting both times (forgot to cut it in half the second time). Anyway, these are delicious for sure! Thanks for the recipe.
Deb Attinella says
So glad you enjoyed the recipe!