If you love lemon flavours, these Lemon Bar Cupcakes will be right up your street. Sweet, tangy, and tart, they are simple to make and oh so indulgent. You have to try them!

Lemon Bar Cupcakes – A sweet and tangy cupcake recipe with lemon buttercream and curd.

Lemon Bar Cupcakes – A Sweet and Tangy Treat!

These Lemon Bar Cupcakes will be your new favorite if you love lemon desserts! They’re bursting with citrusy flavor from the crust to the buttercream, making them a perfect balance of sweet and tangy. With a crunchy crust, a soft lemony cupcake, and a luscious topping of lemon buttercream and curd, these cupcakes are as indulgent as they are refreshing.

The best part? They’re simple to make! Whether you’re looking for a fun baking project or a bright, zesty treat to serve with tea, this recipe is a must-try. Plus, I’ll share some variations and tips to help you customize these cupcakes to your liking!

If you love citrusy treats and are in the mood for more bright and zesty flavors, you’ll love these Orange Dreamsicle Bars!

Why You Should Make This Recipe

Big Lemon Flavor – Every bite is filled with citrus goodness from the crust to the frosting.
Perfectly Balanced – Sweet yet tart, these cupcakes are indulgent without being overwhelming.
Great for Any Occasion – These cupcakes are always a hit, whether it’s for a special gathering or just a weekend treat!

Ingredients You Will Need

NOTE: Full ingredient amounts and instructions are in the printable recipe card at the end of the post.

For the Cupcake Crust:

Butter – if using salted, you may want to omit the extra salt.
White granulated sugar
Brown sugar
All-purpose flour
Salt

For the Cupcake Batter:

White granulated sugar
Lemon juice
Vanilla extract
Lemon zest
Eggs
All-purpose flour
Baking powder

For the Toppings:

Lemon Buttercream
Lemon Curd
Powdered Sugar

Optional Garnish:

For an extra flavor and elegance, garnish your Lemon Bar Cupcakes with a sprinkle of fresh lemon zest, delicate white chocolate shavings, or a beautifully candied lemon slice.

Substitutions & Variations

Less Lemon? Swap the lemon buttercream for vanilla frosting to tone down the citrus flavor.
Time-Saving Hack – Use a lemon cake box mix instead of making the batter from scratch.
Extra Indulgence – Drizzle melted white chocolate over the frosting for added sweetness.
Vanilla Version – Omit the lemon juice for a classic vanilla cupcake with a crunchy crust.

Step-by-Step Instructions

PREP: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a cupcake pan with cupcake liners.

Step 1: In a mixing bowl, combine butter, white sugar, brown sugar, and salt. Add the flour and mix until a crumbly crust forms.

Step 2: Add about a tablespoon of crust mixture into each cupcake liner and press down gently. Bake for 10 minutes, then remove from the oven.

Step 3: While that is baking, start making the cupcake filling. In a bowl, whisk together the sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, and lemon juice.

Step 4: Add 1 cup of flour and the baking powder to the wet mixture and mix until combined.

Step 5: Fill each cupcake liner 1/2 the way full with cupcake batter and place in the oven for another 22 minutes.

Step 6: Remove from the oven and cool for 15 minutes before piping on lemon buttercream frosting and topping with lemon curd.

Serve and Enjoy!

These are best served as they are for a delicious dessert or treat. You could serve them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream if you wish.

Recipe Tips for Making Lemon Cupcakes Like a Pro

Don’t Overfill – Only fill the liners halfway to avoid overflowing.
Make Ahead – You can bake the cupcakes in advance and frost them later.
Hand Mixers Save Time – An electric mixer will make prepping the batter much easier.

Frequent Questions

These cupcakes will need to be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

You can make a vegan version of this by using plant-based alternative ingredients. Some cake mixes are also vegan, which could help.

And that’s it! These Lemon Bar Cupcakes are an easy, no-fuss dessert that looks impressive and tastes even better. Whether you’re making them for a celebration or just a sweet treat at home, they’ll quickly become a favorite!

More Cupcakes You’ll Love

I hope you love this delicious and easy recipe – please leave a star rating and let me know how you liked it in the comments below! Also, don’t forget to follow Lovely Munchies on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest!