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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enjifer

posted:8/28/2010

A big hit! I had 2 people ask me for the recipe already. Halve the frosting recipe, it's more than enough.

a cook

posted:8/23/2010

These were so delicious- they were very dense and flavorful. Super refreshing for the summer heat and everyone love them

dconvirs

posted:7/12/2010

Extrememly delicious and easy. Well worth the making. These are very rich and yummy./ Easy and quick too.

a cook

posted:6/28/2010

These were awesome! I made them for Father's Day, and everyone loved them.

Patbrimhall

posted:6/28/2010

fair, cupcakes stuck to paper wrappers,

kellygreen05

posted:6/24/2010

I made these for dessert following Easter dinner, and they were a hit! I think everyone ate two. If you want a more intense lemon flavor, add lemon zest to the frosting. Even with the zest the lemon flavor isn't overwhelming. These are delicious!

a cook

posted:6/17/2010

I made these for a work function and everyone loved them. They were a little nervous when I said they were lemon but they don't have a lemon kick. I wasn't sure about them the night before but I put them in the fridge overnight and they were perfect!

Ashleyjoy3

posted:6/12/2010

Wonderful cupcakes! The cupcakes are not dry. I have made these cupcakes several times, family and friends love them. Super easy to make. ***I put the frosting in the refrigerator for a half hour to an hour and then pipe on the frosting.

allaboutmyboys

posted:6/9/2010

EVERYONE LOVED these!! I made these last week for my grandmother's birthday and they were amazing. I did use fresh lemon zest & juice in the frosting and the lemon really popped. I think that any reviewer that didn't like these doesn't like lemon or made the recipe wrong - definitely one to save!!

ronnetta

posted:6/6/2010

not sure why these got such great reviews. the cake was dry and bland. i didn't use the frosting recipe. i simply used canned cream cheese frosting and added lemon juice. that was the best part of this recipe.