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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mrs.sturdi

posted:6/12/2008

I made these for a potluck and the next weekend I had to make them again for another get together because everyone loved them so much! Even my husband who is very picky likes them! They look really cute with yellow sprinkles rimming the edge. I keep them in the refrigerator because of the cream cheese in the frosting. They are yummy cold.

sandscheng4

posted:6/10/2008

We couldn't find lemon pudding, so we used vanilla and added lemon flavor. SO, we loved them!! If what everyone is saying, I would just add a little more lemon to the mix. DEFINITELY top it off with lemon zest. They were good alone, but the zest made them delicious! The kids loved this at the cooking camp!

sharpeipup

posted:6/1/2008

A pretty potent serving of lemony goodness!

rosedawn_scott

posted:5/31/2008

Awesome cupcakes.

kittyloo_22

posted:5/29/2008

My mom made these cupcakes for a picnic and they were the best cupcakes I have ever eaten! The cake was very moist and the creamcheese icing was a delicious complement to the cake.

marymbs

posted:5/25/2008

I wasn't as impressed with these cupcakes as everyone else seemed to be. The batter was very thick. I agree that the icing was very runny. I added more powdered sugar to thicken it up, but then it lost its lemony zing. My guests enjoyed them, but I didn't like them enough to ever make them again.

megan576

posted:5/21/2008

These were awesome. The frosting seemed a little bit runny at first but then it set up and they were delicious. I also used a lemon cake mix. I brought them to a bridal shower and everyone loved them.

a cook

posted:5/19/2008

I'm the only person rating these that thought they were awful. The cupcakes were very light but lacked in flavor. The icing was soooooo runny. I couldn't get it to thicken up at all, even added cups more of powdered sugar and it tasted gross.

meunruh18

posted:5/15/2008

I made these for a pot luck at work and they were a hit. The frosting makes the cupcake. I added a little yellow food coloring to the frosting to give it a little more color.

lawkfc

posted:5/15/2008

I cut and filled each with lemon curd/lemon pie filling after they were baked and then frosted them - they were delish and so very easy!