Limoncello Cupcakes
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A couple of weeks ago, I was wondering around in Target {yes, quite dangerous} and 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 do not usually make seasonal, full priced purchases, I like things to be on sale! But I had this picture in my head, and well, I just couldn’t pass them up…..
and this is what I was thinking while standing in Target…..
They are perfect for Easter and springtime parties! Don’t worry, if you do not want to go buy these molds, you can still make these delicious Limoncello Cupcakes…as cupcakes as well…..
With a straw because it’s usually a drink 😉 or with yellow sugar crystals because they are lemon…..
They would also be perfect for Mother’s Day!
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 degrees. Spray your cake molds and place on a parchment paper lined baking sheet, or line some muffin tins with pretty wrappers…..
Mix the flour, salt, baking powder, dry milk powder, and pudding mix together in a bowl and set aside…..
In a large bowl, beat together the eggs, sugar, and oil until well blended…..
add the vanilla, lemon zest, water, and Limoncello*…..
Gradually add the dry ingredients…..
Beat just until well combined. Fill cake molds or wrappers 3/4’s full…..
Do not bake cupcake wrappers on a flat pan, they will flatten out and look strange. 😉 They need to be in muffins pans. Bake for 18 to 21 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean…..
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…..
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…..
Dip top of the “peeps” into the glaze and allow excess to drip back into the bowl…..
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…..
The darker yellow sugar looks better than the pale yellow…..
Dip a toothpick into black food gel to make the eyes…..
I cheated and sprinkled the pink sugar over the pale yellow glaze. 😉
To make the Limoncello Frosting:
I used my favorite Buttercream Frosting recipe and substituted 2 Tablespoons of Limoncello and 1 teaspoon of lemon extract for the original flavorings. You can use a small zipper top bag or a decorating bag with a #2D decorating tip to decorate the cupcakes…..
*To make these cupcakes 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 extract as well. Use water and lemon extract for the buttercream. 🙂
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! 🙂
Enjoy!!
Limoncello Cupcakes
Ingredients
- 1 ¼ cups super fine sugar
- 4 large eggs
- ½ cup safflower or canola oil
- 2 Teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 2 Tablespoons freshly grated lemon zest
- ½ cup Limoncello* I used Caravello
- ½ cup water*
- 2 ½ cups cake flour I used Swan's Down
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup non-fat dry milk powder
- 3.4 ounce package instant lemon pudding mix
For the Glaze
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 6 Tablespoons Limoncello
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 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 3/4 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.
- Frost with Limoncello spiked, or vanilla buttercream. Decorate as desired.
- To make the "peeps" with glaze: Whisk together powdered sugar and Limoncello in a small bowl.
- Place parchment paper under a wire cooling rack. Dip the tops of each chick into the glaze. Allow excess to drip back into the bowl.
- Place on the wire rack, and immediately sprinkle with colored sugar crystals.
- Allow to cool completely. Dip toothpick into black gel coloring to make the eyes.
Notes
- Substitute 1 cup of lemonade to make a non-alcohol version.
- This is my favorite Buttercream Frosting recipe. I used 2 Tablespoons of Limoncello and 1 teaspoon of organic Lemon Extract for my frosting in place of the other flavorings. You can also substitute water and lemon extract, and skip the Limoncello if desired.
These look delicious, Lisa! They’re adorable as chicks — you did such a great job making them peeps.
Thank you Marcie, I had a lot of fun with them. 🙂
I saw that mold and almost bought it – these look so pretty and spring-like and LOVE that you made them with Limoncello!! Pinning! Have a happy Wednesday, my friend!
Thank you Cindy, you should go back and get it! They definitely get people’s attention. I hope you have a happy Wednesday as well. 🙂
Oh Lisa! You are making me want to head over to Target and get that mold STAT. Your cupcakes turned out so beautiful and I’m sure they taste fabulous! Pinned!
Thank you so much Trish. I think Target may sell out of them, they are so cute. 🙂
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!!
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. 🙁
Thank you so much! Maybe I can find them with the product number.
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!!!
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!
Yeah!! I’m so glad you were able to get them Lori! 🙂
This is the sweetest post ever! I love the peeps and cupcakes!! Great job Lisa and beautiful photos!
Thank you so much Deb, I had a lot of fun making them! 🙂
the cupcakes look great and those peeps are so cute!
Thank you so much Dina. 🙂
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.
Thank you Tanya, you’re so sweet!! Agreed, lemon is awesome! 🙂
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!
Thank you so much Angela! I will keep my fingers crossed that you can find the mold. 🙂
These are super cute!! They look just like Peeps =) I’m going to have to restrain myself from buying these because a Target just opened up down the street from me. o_o
Oooh, that’s dangerous Lisa. As much as I love Target, it is way too easy to spend money in there! 😉 Thanks so much for stopping by.
These are adorable, Lisa. So festive!! Thanks for sharing on BOTW.
Thank you Nichi, I wouldn’t miss it! 😉
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!
Thank you so much Diane! I had a lot of fun making them. 🙂
What a fun, fabulous idea 🙂
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! 🙂
Hi Debby, no you would omit the butter extract and just use the limoncello and lemon extract. 🙂