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Limoncello Cupcakes

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Bursting with bright lemon flavor, these cupcakes are moist, tender, and filled with a luscious limoncello frosting that perfectly complements the tartness of the lemon.

Whether you’re a fan of classic lemon desserts or looking to try something new and exciting, these Limoncello cupcakes are sure to delight your taste buds and add a touch of Italian flair to your dessert collection.

A white frosting topped cupcake with a pink wrapper and yellow striped straw sitting in front of six additional cupcakes on a white background.

Add a tiny straw to show that they are drink inspired, and sprinkle with yellow sugar crystals to show that they are lemon flavored. The possibilities are endless! Just wait to see what else I did with them below.

Looking down on three Limoncello Cupcakes topped with swirled frosting and colorful sprinkles.

What is Limoncello?

Limoncello is a smooth, sweet, and vibrant Italian liqueur made from lemon zest, sugar, and alcohol. It is traditionally served chilled as an after-dinner digestivo, but it also adds a delightful zest to many recipes; Limoncello Tiramisu Ice Cream, Limoncello Spritzer, and Lemon Drop Martini.

Recipe inspiration

While I was wondering around Target (yes, quite dangerous) I came across these absolutely adorable silicone chick cake molds…..and I had to have them!

I stood there debating the practicality of them, but in the end, they were just too adorable to pass up. I had this picture in my head of what I could make with them, and well, I just couldn’t pass them up.

Two silicone chicks silicone molds.

This is what I was picturing in my head while standing in Target, PEEPS in lemon cupcake form!

Pink and yellow sprinkle covered chicks on an oval platter sitting on a pink, yellow and white striped napkin.

They are perfect for Easter and springtime parties! I am sure these mold are no longer for sale so I made a second batch of traditional cupcakes that can be shared all year long!

They would also be perfect for Mother’s Day and bridal showers!

Three white frosting covered cupcakes with pink and yellow wrappers in a row on a white background.

You can add pink food coloring, and make them Pink Lemonade Cupcakes! You know me and options.

How to make Limoncello Cupcakes

Start by preheating the oven to 350° F. Spray your cake molds and place on a parchment paper lined baking sheet, or line some muffin tins with pretty wrappers.

Silicone mold sprayed with cooking spray.

Mix the flour, salt, baking powder, dry milk powder, and pudding mix together in a bowl and set aside.

Dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl.

In a large bowl, beat together the eggs, sugar, and oil until well blended.

Eggs, sugar and oil mixed together in a large bowl.

add the vanilla, lemon zest, water, and Limoncello.

Lemon zest, water, and limoncello added to the liquid ingredients.

Gradually add the dry ingredients.

Dry ingredients added to the wet ingredients in a large mixing bowl.

Beat just until well combined. Fill cake molds or wrappers three-quarters full.

Silicone mold and three cupcake liners filled with cake batter.

Do not bake cupcake wrappers on a flat pan, they will not hold their shape. They need to be baked in muffins pans.

Bake for 18 to 21 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.

Baked cupcakes in silicone mold.

Allow to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, they do shrink up and level out a bit. Remove from pan and place on a wire cooling rack, allow to cool completely.

Chick shaped cupcakes on a wire cooling rack.

To make the Limoncello Frosting

In a large mixing bowl, beat together butter, shortening, and salt on low for about 5 minutes. Add extracts (or liqueurs) and beat to combine.

Next, add half of the powdered sugar and the meringue powder, and mix together. Continue adding a half-cup of powdered sugar at a time until you reach your desired consistency. 

Add a little milk or water, a teaspoon at a time if necessary to thin the frosting. Continue mixing on low for several minutes to create a light and fluffy frosting.

Frost cupcakes with a flat knife or a piping bag with a decorative tip.

Limoncello-cupcakes-topped-with-limoncello-frosting-and-colored-sprinkles.

How to glaze the “peeps” cupcakes

If you are making the peeps, you will need to make a glaze. Whisk together 2 cups of powdered sugar with 6 tablespoons of Limoncello.

Glaze mixed together with a whisk in a large mixing bowl.

Dip top of the “peeps” into the glaze and allow excess to drip back into the bowl.

Peeps cupcake dipped into glaze.

Place parchment paper under the wire cooling rack, and place chicks back on rack. Shake yellow sugar crystals over the glazed tops to completely cover.

Yellow colored sugar sprinkled onto the wet glaze while sitting on a wire rack.

The darker yellow sugar looks better than the pale yellow.

Nine yellow sugar coated chicks cupcakes on a wire rack.

Dip a toothpick into black food gel to make the eyes.

Pink and yellow sprinkle covered chicks on an oval platter sitting on a pink, yellow and white striped napkin.

I cheated and sprinkled the pink sugar over the pale yellow glaze.

Can these cupcakes be made without alcohol?

Yes – substitute lemonade for the Limoncello and water in the cake recipe. Taste the batter to see how lemony it is. You may need to add lemon extract as well.
Use lemonade or water, plus lemon extract for the buttercream frosting.

The reason that I make all of my cakes with alcohol, is not because I want to keep the liquor companies in business. It’s because the flavors are so much more intense than with extracts!

Tools used to create this recipe

You can see the rest of my favorite kitchen tools and gadgets here in my Amazon Affiliate Page. I earn a small commission when you purchase through my links, at no cost to you, so I can keep bringing you more delicious recipes!

More delicious cupcake recipes

Did you try this recipe? I’d love to see it! Tag @cookingwithcurls on Instagram & Facebook and leave a ⭐️⭐⭐⭐⭐ review below!

Enjoy!!

A white frosting topped cupcake with a pink wrapper and yellow striped straw sitting in front of six additional cupcakes on a white background.

Limoncello Cupcakes

Moist and tender Limoncello cupcakes with bright lemon flavor, are topped with a luscious limoncello frosting for the perfect party treat.
5 from 1 vote
Print Rate
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: lemon cupcake recipe
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 24 Servings
Calories: 233kcal
Author: Lisa Johnson

Ingredients

  • 1.25 cups granulated sugar
  • 4 large eggs
  • 0.5 cup canola oil
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 2 tablespoons freshly grated lemon zest
  • 0.5 cup Limoncello I used Caravello
  • 0.5 cup water
  • 2.5 cups cake flour I used Swan’s Down
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • .25 cup non-fat dry milk powder
  • 3.4 ounce package instant lemon pudding mix

For the Limoncello Frosting

  • 0.5 cup unsalted butter at room temperature
  • 1 cup shortening Crisco
  • 1 pound powdered sugar confectioner's sugar
  • 2 tablespoons Limoncello
  • 1 teaspoon lemon extract
  • .25 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 1 tablespoon meringue powder
  • 1 tablespoon water or milk to thin – add more as needed

For the "peeps" Glaze

  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 6 tablespoons Limoncello

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350° F. Line muffin tin with wrappers, or spray with baking spray. Set aside.
  • In a medium sized bowl, mix together flour, baking powder, salt, dry milk powder, and pudding mix together. Set aside.
  • In a large bowl, beat together sugar, oil, and eggs until smooth and fluffy, two to three minutes.
  • Beat in the vanilla, lemon zest, water, and limoncello.
  • Gradually add the dry ingredients and beat just until well combined.
  • Fill wrappers or muffin tins to three-quarters full.
  • Bake in preheated oven for 18 to 21 minutes, or until toothpick comes out clean when inserted into the center of cupcake.
  • Allow to cool in muffin tins for 5 to 10 minutes. Place on a wire cooling rack and allow to cool completely.

Limoncello Frosting

  • In a large mixing bowl, beat together butter, shortening, and salt on low for about 5 minutes. Add extracts (or liqueurs) and beat to combine.
  • Next, add half of the powdered sugar and the meringue powder, and mix together. Continue adding a half-cup of powdered sugar at a time until you reach your desired consistency.
  • Add a little milk or water, a teaspoon at a time if necessary to thin the frosting. Continue mixing on low for several minutes to create a light and fluffy frosting.
  • Frost cupcakes with a flat knife or a piping bag with a decorative tip.
  • To make the "peeps" with glaze, please refer to post for complete instructions.

Notes

  • To make without alcohol – substitute lemonade for the Limoncello and water in the cake recipe. Taste the batter to see how lemony it is. You may need to add lemon extract as well.
    Use lemonade or water, plus lemon extract for the buttercream frosting.
  • Baking times are approximate, all oven bake differently.
  • Store cupcakes in an airtight container on the counter for up to 3 days, or in the refrigerator for up to 7 days.

Nutrition

Calories: 233kcal | Carbohydrates: 37g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 35mg | Sodium: 138mg | Potassium: 83mg | Sugar: 24g | Vitamin A: 80IU | Vitamin C: 0.7mg | Calcium: 39mg | Iron: 0.3mg

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29 Comments

  1. I’ve looked high and low for these molds. I so wish I could find them. If anyone has the order information, please let me know. Target on-line doesn’t have them, and I’m nowhere near one.
    This is just an adorable idea…they turned out perfect!!

    1. I am so sorry Lori, I had no idea that they would be so hard to find. They are made by Chicago Metallic – Item# CMB121TGT Chick Silicone Mold, but they are not on their website? I am wondering if they made them specifically for Target, or they are sold out. 🙁

      1. My friend went to two Targets in Buffalo, NY today and they said they never heard of them. haha Man, the best laid plans of mice & men!!!

        1. I know you will be as happy about this as I am, I can finally stop whining!!! lol My friend went to another Target store, & low and behold, found these molds in with kitchenware. I’m tickled pink (or yellow, hehe). I think I’ll make both pink & yellow. Thanks so much for this recipe. I’m sure they’re as delicious as they are cute!! Happy Easter!

  2. I love Target especially since it gave you the inspiration to make these cupcakes!!! I love these Lisa. Anything lemon is a winner in my opinion.

  3. The Peep cupcakes are SO STINKING CUTE (not to mention they sound delicious!!). I might just be slightly obsessed with Peeps. 🙂 I am definitely going to look for the cake mold next time I’m at Target. Either way, this recipe is definitely on my list of ones to try! Pinned!

  4. I’m drooling!! Seriously your peeps cupcakes and the frosted cupcakes looks deeeeelish!! Lemon…yum!

    I love them so much I included the peeps cupcakes in my spring/Easter roundup tonight at Project Inspire{d}!

    Thanks for sharing with us there!

  5. Hello,

    I wanted to know in regard to the frosting, would I add the butter extract along with the lemoncello and lemon extract?

    Thank you for your time! 🙂

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