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    Home » Cake » Limoncello Cupcakes

    Published: Mar 25, 2014 · Modified: Jun 5, 2020 by Lisa Johnson

    Limoncello Cupcakes

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    This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. For more information, please visit my disclosure page.

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    Limoncello Cupcakes sitting on a weathered white wood board

    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.....

    chicks silicone molds cookingwithcurls.com

    and this is what I was thinking while standing in Target.....

    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! 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.....

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

    With a straw because it's usually a drink 😉 or with yellow sugar crystals because they are lemon.....

    Limoncello Cupcakes cookingwithcurls.com

    They would also be perfect for Mother's Day!

    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 degrees. Spray your cake molds and place on a parchment paper lined baking sheet, or line some muffin tins with pretty wrappers.....

    Limoncello Peeps and Cupcakes spray cookingwithcurls.com

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

    Limoncello Cupcakes flour cookingwithcurls.com

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

    LImoncello Cupcakes eggs cookingwithcurls.com

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

    Limoncello Cupcakes zest cookingwithcurls.com

    Gradually add the dry ingredients.....

    Limoncello Cupcakes mix cookingwithcurls.com

    Beat just until well combined. Fill cake molds or wrappers 3/4's full.....

    Limoncello Peeps and Cupcakes fill cookingwithcurls.com

    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.....

    Limoncello Peeps and Cupcakes baked cookingwithcurls.com

    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.....

    Limoncello Peeps and Cupcakes rack cookingwithcurls.com

    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.....

    Limocello Peeps and Cupcakes glaze cookingwithcurls.com

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

    Limoncello Peeps and Cupcakes dip cookingwithcurls.com

    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.....

    Limoncello Peeps and Cupcakes shake cookingwithcurls.com

    The darker yellow sugar looks better than the pale yellow.....

    Limoncello Peeps and Cupcakes sugar cookingwithcurls.com

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

    Limoncello Peeps and Cupcakes by cookingwithcurls.com

    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.....

    white frosting topped cupcakes in pink and yellow spring wrappers sitting on a white background

    *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!!

    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

    Light and fluffy Limoncello Cupcakes with a tangy lemon kick, are topped with Limoncello frosting for the perfect summertime party treat.
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    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: lemon, recipe, cupcakes, frosting, limoncello
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Cook Time: 20 minutes
    Total Time: 35 minutes
    Servings: 24 Servings
    Calories: 233kcal
    Author: Lisa Johnson

    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
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    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.

    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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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Marcie@flavorthemoments says

      March 25, 2014 at 11:58 pm

      These look delicious, Lisa! They're adorable as chicks -- you did such a great job making them peeps.

      Reply
      • Lisa Johnson says

        March 26, 2014 at 11:48 am

        Thank you Marcie, I had a lot of fun with them. 🙂

        Reply
    2. Cindy Eikenberg says

      March 26, 2014 at 6:13 am

      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!

      Reply
      • Lisa Johnson says

        March 26, 2014 at 11:50 am

        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. 🙂

        Reply
    3. Trish - Mom On Timeout says

      March 26, 2014 at 5:39 pm

      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!

      Reply
      • Lisa Johnson says

        March 27, 2014 at 12:22 am

        Thank you so much Trish. I think Target may sell out of them, they are so cute. 🙂

        Reply
    4. Lori says

      March 26, 2014 at 5:57 pm

      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!!

      Reply
      • Lisa Johnson says

        March 27, 2014 at 12:15 am

        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. 🙁

        Reply
        • Lori says

          March 27, 2014 at 8:36 am

          Thank you so much! Maybe I can find them with the product number.

          Reply
        • Lori says

          March 27, 2014 at 11:09 am

          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!!!

          Reply
          • Lori says

            March 28, 2014 at 7:58 am

            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!

            Reply
            • Lisa Johnson says

              March 28, 2014 at 12:08 pm

              Yeah!! I'm so glad you were able to get them Lori! 🙂

    5. Deb@CookingOnTheFrontBurner says

      March 26, 2014 at 9:28 pm

      This is the sweetest post ever! I love the peeps and cupcakes!! Great job Lisa and beautiful photos!

      Reply
      • Lisa Johnson says

        March 27, 2014 at 12:01 am

        Thank you so much Deb, I had a lot of fun making them! 🙂

        Reply
    6. dina says

      March 27, 2014 at 11:03 am

      the cupcakes look great and those peeps are so cute!

      Reply
      • Lisa Johnson says

        March 28, 2014 at 12:13 pm

        Thank you so much Dina. 🙂

        Reply
    7. Tanya says

      March 27, 2014 at 4:12 pm

      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.

      Reply
      • Lisa Johnson says

        March 28, 2014 at 12:19 pm

        Thank you Tanya, you're so sweet!! Agreed, lemon is awesome! 🙂

        Reply
    8. Angela says

      March 28, 2014 at 7:14 pm

      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!

      Reply
      • Lisa Johnson says

        March 28, 2014 at 8:24 pm

        Thank you so much Angela! I will keep my fingers crossed that you can find the mold. 🙂

        Reply
    9. Lisa | Je suis alimentageuse says

      March 29, 2014 at 12:40 am

      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

      Reply
      • Lisa Johnson says

        March 31, 2014 at 4:44 pm

        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.

        Reply
    10. Nichi - The Mandatory Mooch says

      April 02, 2014 at 10:48 pm

      These are adorable, Lisa. So festive!! Thanks for sharing on BOTW.

      Reply
      • Lisa Johnson says

        April 04, 2014 at 11:11 am

        Thank you Nichi, I wouldn't miss it! 😉

        Reply
    11. Diane | An Extraordinary Day says

      April 07, 2014 at 8:32 pm

      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!

      Reply
      • Lisa Johnson says

        April 10, 2014 at 10:52 pm

        Thank you so much Diane! I had a lot of fun making them. 🙂

        Reply
    12. Cathy@LemonTreeDwelling says

      April 02, 2015 at 8:14 pm

      What a fun, fabulous idea 🙂

      Reply
    13. Debby says

      July 10, 2015 at 8:24 am

      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! 🙂

      Reply
      • Lisa Johnson says

        July 12, 2015 at 2:12 pm

        Hi Debby, no you would omit the butter extract and just use the limoncello and lemon extract. 🙂

        Reply

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