Strawberry Lemonade Cupcakes

Name: Strawberry Cupcakes with Strawberry Lemonade Frosting
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Yield: 24
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 strawberry cake mix; 1 cup water; 1/3 cup apple sauce; 3 eggs; 2 Tablespoons fresh-squeezed lemon juice; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; Frosting:; 1/2 cup butter, softened; 8 oz. cream cheese, softened; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 2 Tablespoons fresh-squeezed lemon juice; 3-4 cups confectioners' sugar; 2/3 cup finely diced strawberries

by Alli April 3, 2020

written by Alli April 3, 2020

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Strawberry Lemonade Cupcakes are a family favorite. I guess you know by now that my family is crazy about cupcakes!

These babies are right up there next to Citrus Cupcakes with Citrus Buttercream Frosting and REESE’S Cream Cheese Swirled Brownie Cupcakes with Peanut Butter Frosting. Those are the top 3 reigning cupcakes at my house. All of these cupcake recipes are included in my best cupcake recipes.

Sometimes I make the strawberry lemonade cupcakes from scratch. Actually, once upon a time, I snubbed cake mixes like the plague. Now, I add a teaspoon or two of homemade pure vanilla extract and no one ever guesses I started with a mix.

Strawberry Lemonade Cupcakes

For my Strawberry Lemonade Cupcakes, I added a teaspoon of vanilla and 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice. I always use applesauce in place of the oil or butter that cake recipes call for. Just use the same amount of apple sauce as oil and you’re good to go. It will be our little secret.

For the frosting, I use my go-to cream cheese frosting. I add in 2/3 cups finely diced strawberries and 2 tablespoons lemon juice. You can also add a couple drops red food coloring if you want your frosting to be pink.

Note: I don’t use a pastry tip to pipe the frosting on because bits of the strawberries clog up the tip. Don’t ask me how I know. I used a pastry bag without the tip and swirled away. You can spoon it on as well. It’s all good.

Strawberry Cupcakes with Strawberry Lemonade Frosting

These Strawberry Cupcakes with Strawberry Lemonade Frosting combine two favorite flavors - lemons and strawberries. These cupcakes are family favorites.

Prep Time 10 minutes

Total Time 10 minutes

Ingredients

1 strawberry cake mix
1 cup water
1/3 cup apple sauce
3 eggs
2 Tablespoons fresh-squeezed lemon juice
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Frosting:
1/2 cup butter, softened
8 oz. cream cheese, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 Tablespoons fresh-squeezed lemon juice
3-4 cups confectioners' sugar
2/3 cup finely diced strawberries

Instructions

Mix cake according to package directions, replacing oil with applesauce and adding lemon juice and vanilla extract.
Pour batter into cupcake liners and bake according to directions on the cake mix packaging.

Frosting

In a mixing bowl, beat butter and cream cheese until well blended. Add powdered sugar, a cup at a time, lemon juice and vanilla extract. Add diced strawberries and mix on slow until blended.
Frost cupcakes.

Nutrition Information

Yield

Serving Size

1
Amount Per Serving Calories 318Total Fat 9gSaturated Fat 5gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 3gCholesterol 47mgSodium 84mgCarbohydrates 60gFiber 0gSugar 58gProtein 2g

What’s your favorite cupcake?

cupcakes Strawberry Cupcakes Strawberry Lemonade Cupcakes Strawberry Lemonade Frosting

Alli

Southern, Morning Person, Jesus Girl, Frugal Party Planner, Writer/Blogger, Mom, Nana, Wife, Beach Bum Wannabe - Let's Have a Party!

Tropical Yogurt Parfait

27 comments

Robin Masshole Mommy April 27, 2016 - 6:18 am

Mmmm, what an awesome flavor for cupcakes. I can’t wait to make these. The kids are going to LOVE them.

Shirley Wood April 27, 2016 - 7:17 am

We are big fans of all things strawberry in our house! These would vanish so fast! I like your applesauce tip. Good to know.

Zan April 27, 2016 - 8:08 am

Sounds so easy and looks delish as always!! I don’t know that I have a favorite cupcake, but we have tried many. My kids love them whenever I make them. If I had strawberries and a box cake on hand, I would surprise them by trying this one. I like the idea of adding applesauce and leaving out the eggs (optionally). I also love your tip about adding vanilla. Last time, I made a cake I did this but had no vanilla so I used lemon extract for a lemon flavor.

Bella B (xoxoBella) April 27, 2016 - 8:29 am

These are just so pretty, especially with the pretty papers! I love any berries in baking and I bet these are so tasty.

Sarah Bailey April 27, 2016 - 1:03 pm

Oh wow how cute do they look and be they taste absolutely delicious as well. x

Tori Gabriel April 27, 2016 - 3:50 pm

These sound amazing and I love that you cheated by using a cake mix. This is my type of cooking!!!

Liz Mays April 27, 2016 - 4:50 pm

I need some of these in my life! I really like that flavor combo. It’s perfect for springtime!

Jeanine April 27, 2016 - 9:35 pm

These look just delicious. Anything with lemonade I’m all for! Cupcakes? Yes please what a unique flavour!

Brittany April 27, 2016 - 9:47 pm

Not only do these look wonderful and tasty but beautiful as well! I will have to give these a try 🙂

Kristen from The Road to Domestication April 28, 2016 - 9:44 am

Those sound and look amazing! I love those cupcake cups you used, too!

Erin April 28, 2016 - 10:32 am

Well there goes my diet! LOL! You always post the best recipes, I can’t wait to try this one!

Chantal April 28, 2016 - 10:50 am

I was sold on this recipe after reading the title! This sounds like a great Spring cupcake flavour.

Lorelai @ Life With Lorelai April 28, 2016 - 2:44 pm

These are beautiful! I love those cupcake liners. What a fantastic flavor idea for spring and summer. I can;t wait to spring these on my family and friends. 🙂

~Lorelai
Life With Lorelai

Eloise April 28, 2016 - 6:31 pm

I’ve never tried this kind of cupcake before, sounds delicious! I’ll have to make this soon, thanks for sharing : )

Nicole April 28, 2016 - 8:16 pm

Red Velvet is hands down my favorite cupcake! These are so pretty and sound delicious! I think I need to check out that Reeses recipe as well!

Bites for Babies April 28, 2016 - 9:17 pm

These look absolutely too pretty to eat!!! I can just imagine how delicious these are…I make macerated strawberries in the summer and always add some fresh lemon or lime juice and the flavour is amazing!

Kita April 28, 2016 - 10:42 pm

These look beautiful Alli. I’ve made strawberry lemonade cupcakes before using Countrytime Lemonade. So good!

Celeste |The Whole Serving April 29, 2016 - 7:00 pm

I’ve been eating loads of strawberries this Spring and this is a recipe I just might have to add to my must have sweet list. I like that it’s so easy.
Thanks for sharing.