Lemon-Cream Cheese Cupcakes

photo by:kraft

These treats are all about the citrus zing: Moist lemon cupcakes are nestled under sweet cream cheese frosting with a tangy zest.

time

prep:

10 min

total:

1 hr 34 min

servings

total:

24 servings

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What You Need

pkg. (2-layer size) white cake mix

pkg. (3.4 oz.) JELL-O Lemon Flavor Instant Pudding

cup water

egg whites

Tbsp. oil

pkg. (8 oz.) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened

1/4

cup (1/2 stick) butter, softened

Tbsp. lemon juice

pkg. (16 oz.) powdered sugar

Make It

HEAT oven to 350ºF.

BEAT first 5 ingredients in large bowl with mixer on low speed until moistened. (Batter will be thick.) Beat on medium speed 2 min. Spoon into 24 paper-lined muffin cups.

BAKE 21 to 24 min. or until toothpick inserted in centers comes out clean. Cool in pans 10 min.; remove to wire racks. Cool completely.

BEAT cream cheese, butter and juice with mixer until well blended. Gradually add sugar, beating on low speed after each addition until well blended. Spread onto cupcakes.

Kraft Kitchens Tips

Substitute

Prepare using PHILADELPHIA Neufchatel Cheese.

Special Extra

Blend 1 tsp. lemon zest into frosting before spreading onto cupcakes.

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smcclat

posted:10/25/2008

I get so many compliments when I make these. The cream cheese and lemon flavor together is perfect!

yongbyrd

posted:10/24/2008

After reading all of the comments about the frosting not turning out, I decided to cut that part of the recipe out and just buy lemon frosting. The cupcakes were delicious; I'll definitely be making this again.

hello kitty12

posted:10/13/2008

I like it but it was kinda off on cream cheese but it was a yummy lemon tast but it would be a whole lot better to buy lemon frosting and then that would be the best family dessert

jess078

posted:10/3/2008

Flavorful, but as most cream cheese frostings are- it was runny.

silverfishlet

posted:8/26/2008

These were so easy to make, and my husband and I just loved them! They taste better than any store-bought OR homemade cupcakes I've ever had. I'll definitely keep making them!

pmzaitz

posted:8/22/2008

Easy, very moist, and excellent flavor! On the frosting, it makes a lot more than you need...so either cut it in half or make double the cupcakes.

brutond

posted:8/20/2008

These turned out very well. I want to make these for my mom next time she comes over.

a cook

posted:8/19/2008

My son and I made these cupcakes and they turned pretty good. We really like the cupcake, but the frosting is a bit sweet. We have enough frosting left for another batch. We will make these again. I'm not sure why some others had such a problem with their frosting running off, ours was perfect. Maybe they didn't let them cool enough.

kristin0681

posted:8/13/2008

The whole family loved the cupcakes and they were very easy to make. My neice wants me to make them for her b-day!

amyem1133

posted:8/7/2008

I had reservations after just reading the recipe - I thought the cake wouldn't be quite as light as we like and the icing sounded like one I use for my pound cakes - more glaze than fluff. But I tried it anyway. And I was right. The icing was very runny. I had to frost the cupcakes in stages so it all didn't run off the top. Like others have said, I'll stick to lemon cake mix for the fluffiness and try another icing recipe. I love the bundt cake comment - great idea and I think I'll steal it! :)