Lemon, Thyme, and Rosemary Cupcakes

Name: Lemon, Thyme, and Rosemary Cupcakes
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 1/4 cups sugar; 2 sticks of butter (softened, or zapped in the microwave for 10 seconds); 3 eggs; 1 egg white; 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour; 1 tbs baking powder; 1 tsp salt; 1 cup whole milk; 2 tsp vanilla extract; 1 tbs finely chopped fresh rosemary; 1 tbs finely chopped fresh thyme; Zest from 1 lemon; Juice from 2 lemons; 2 1/2 cup mascarpone; 1 cup lemon curd; 2 tsp finely chopped fresh thyme; 4 tsp finely chopped fresh rosemary

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These lemon, thyme, and rosemary cupcakes have such a lovely herby kick and all the lemony goodness! These cupcakes balance lemon with fresh rosemary and thyme and a tart lemon mascarpone cream cheese frosting.

Southern Italy inspires these cupcakes, and they combine all the wonderful flavors of the Amalfi Coast with a moist and light cupcake

Lemon cupcake decorated with rosemary dried lemon slices on a brown table.

How do these lemon cupcakes taste?

Sunshine
Summer
Southern Italy
Fresh lemons
Subtle fresh herbs that are perfectly balanced with lemon
Tart but light lemon mascarpone frosting

Ingredients for the cupcakes on a brown table.

Key ingredients for this recipe:

All-purpose Flour: This gives the cupcakes their structure.
Sugar: Sugar is what makes these cupcakes so sweet. However, there's not too much; I'm not a fan of overly sweet desserts.
Unsalted butter: the butter provides flavor and helps the cake to rise when beaten with sugar.
Salt: Salt is the ultimate flavor enhancer, and fun fact, if you ever want a dessert to be sweeter, a lot of times, it means you need to up the salt and not the sugar.
Baking powder: baking powder is the leavener in this recipe, and along with the eggs, helps the cookies to rise.
Eggs: The eggs in this recipe act as a binding agent for all the ingredients.
Milk: The milk adds both moisture and flavor to this recipe.
Vanilla extract: In addition to the sugar, the vanilla provides sweetness and flavor.
Fresh lemons: fresh lemon juice and zest are what give this recipe its lemon flavor.
Fresh rosemary and thyme: this recipe has just the right amount of herbs to give a light but delightful rosemary and thyme flavor.
Mascarpone: mascarpone is an Italian sweet cream cheese that's a sweet and less tart alternative to cream cheese.
Lemon curd: homemade or store-bought lemon curd gives the frosting its sweet lemon flavor.

Collage showing how to make the cupcakes1.

Step by step instructions:

Start by preheating the oven to 350 degrees and by lining a muffin tin with cupcake liners.
Next, whisk the flour, salt, and baking powder in a large bowl and then cream the butter and sugar together with a mixer
Add the eggs one at a time, beating after each addition
Combine the milk, vanilla, rosemary, thyme, and lemon zest together in a small bowl
Add the flour and milk mixtures to the butter and sugar mixture
Mix in the lemon juice
Then divide the batter between prepared cupcake tins, filling ¾ of the way
Bake for 20 minutes or until a tester comes out clean

Collage showing how to make the cupcakes2.

FAQ's

How to store these cupcakes:

These cupcakes will keep in an airtight container for up to three days in a refrigerator.

Tips and tricks for making cupcakes:

Cupcakes are super simple to make! The key to good cupcakes is to whip the butter and sugar thoroughly. This helps air to get whipped into the batter.
Thoroughly mince the herbs so that they blend nicely into the cupcakes and frosting.
Test the cupcakes after 20 minutes; if the cake springs back when touched, and if a knife or toothpick comes out clean, they are ready!

Collage showing how to make the cupcakes3.

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