Lemon Cupcakes filled with lemon curd and topped with lemon buttercream frosting. These Lemon filled cupcakes remind me of lemon drop candies, so sweet and tangy!
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line 12 muffin cups with cupcake liners; set aside.
In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Beat in the lemon zest and vanilla.
In a small measuring cup with a pour spout, stir together the lemon juice and milk. Set aside.
Combine the flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. Stir with a whisk and add it to the butter mixture alternately with the milk mixture, beating well after each addition.
Divide the batter evenly among the prepared muffin cups. Bake for 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with only a few dry crumbs.
Cool for 10 minutes. Remove cupcakes from the pan and cool completely on a wire rack.
Cut the centers out of the of each cupcake and fill the cavity with 1 tablespoon of lemon curd. Frost the cupcakes any way you like.
Make the frosting
In a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment or with an electric hand mixer, beat the butter on medium-high speed until smooth.
Add the salt and continue to beat until incorporated. Add 1 cup of the confectioner's sugar, beat on medium-low speed until most of the sugar is moistened.
Beat in the lemon zest. Gradually add in the remaining sugar, one cup at a time. You may need more or less depending on how soft the butter is. Beat on medium-low speed until the sugar is moistened.
Add the 2-3 tablespoons of lemon juice depending on how creamy you want the frosting to be. Turn the speed up to medium-high and beat until light and fluffy. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
Notes
Make ahead tip
The cupcakes can be made 1 day in advance. Cover and store them at room temperature.
The frosting can also be made a day ahead. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Store frosted cupcakes in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the refrigerator.
Cupcakes can also be frozen for up to 3 months, frosted or unfrosted. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight.