> Skip to content

Recipe  •  24 April 2024

 

Lemon Diva Cupcakes

These punchy little lemon cakes remain one of my favourite memories from Season One of MasterChef. They won me a mystery box challenge and became one of my most-requested recipes.

Makes: 12
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes

INGREDIENTS

  • 100 g unsalted butter, at room temperature
  • ¾ cup (165 g) caster sugar
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • finely grated zest of 3 lemons
  • 2 eggs
  • 1⅓ cups (200 g) self-raising flour
  • ½ cup (125 ml) milk

icing:

  • 125 g unsalted butter, at room temperature
  • 2 cups (300 g) icing sugar mixture
  • 1½ tablespoons lemon juice
  • yellow food colouring (optional)
  • yellow liquorice allsorts, to decorate

METHOD

  1. Preheat the oven to 180°C. Line a 12-hole muffin pan (80 ml capacity) with paper cases. Using electric beaters, beat the butter, sugar and vanilla extract until light and creamy. Mix through the lemon zest.

  2. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each egg. Gently fold through the flour and milk in alternating batches. Divide the mixture evenlyamong the paper cases.

  3. Bake for about 20 minutes, or until golden brown and springy when touched. Remove from the oven and transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before decorating.

  4. To make the icing, use electric beaters to beat the butter until light and creamy. Add the icing sugar a little at a time, beating constantly. Add half the lemon juice and beat until well combined. Add the remaining lemon juice a little at a time, and tint with food colouring if you like. Using a 1 cm fluted nozzle, pipe the icing onto the cooled cupcakes. Decorate with a small lemon shape cut from a yellow piece of liquorice allsort.

Note: To make Lime Sublime cupcakes, substitute the zest of 6 limes in the cake batter and 2 tablespoons of lime juice in the icing. For Clockwork Orange cupcakes, try using the zest of 2 oranges in the batter and 2 tablespoons of orange juice in the icing.

Feature Title

Your Time Starts Now
Goodwin can write as well as she can cook, and this candid memoir had me both in fits of giggles and waterfalls of tears … I fell a little bit in love with Goodwin because of this book. - Herald Sun The extraordinary life story of Australia's beloved Julie Goodwin, first winner of MasterChef and bestselling cookbook author.
Read more

More features

See all recipes
Recipe
Zucchini slice

If I had to name my most-cooked recipe, this would be it.

Recipe
Barramundi fillet with pineapple salsa

Here’s a dinner that’s fast, tasty, healthy, and just right for a summer evening.

Recipe
Twice-baked three cheese soufflés

This is an impressive entree that can be made ahead, then finished off just before serving.

Recipe
Chickpea arrabbiata

Fast, spicy and delicious, this is the perfect midweek meal to put a smile on your face.

Recipe
Spinach, mushroom and goat cheese toast

There’s something timeless about a tartine – a rustic slice of golden, toasted sourdough bread topped with simple yet vibrant ingredients. Just three ingredients have the power to create flavours that are earthy, tangy and satisfyingly rich.

Recipe
Candied Orange Peel Chocolate Babkas

This babka recipe brings together the classic combination of chocolate and orange, creating a sweet, comforting dessert bread. The candied orange peel adds a delightful contrasting texture to this sweet and soft loaf.

Recipe
Onigiri (rice balls)

Onigiri is real soul food. It’s perfect for picnics, weekend activities and family car journeys. Use this recipe to make as many onigiri as your heart desires, with filling or without (shio-nigiri).

Recipe
Jamie Oliver’s Meatball Traybake

Hidden in these meatballs from Jamie Oliver are cannellini beans for an added fibre bonus. Using an old friend like meatballs to get some beans into your life is a tasty, nutritious win.

Recipe
Gimme S'more Cake

Britney sang it and I (mis)heard it.

Recipe
Olive Oil Cake with Peaches and Cream

Make this stunning cake and wow your guests at your next summer gathering; the cake is moist from the olive oil and stacked high with your choice of either whipped cream or buttercream, and fresh peaches.

Recipe
Basil, Courgette and Pistachio Pasta

The perfect quick summer meal, this simple pasta dish uses only a few simple ingredients but is packed with bright, herby flavours.

Recipe
Triple Garlic Crispy Chicken with Green Rice and Sauce

Full of depth and umami flavours, this crispy chicken is paired with a light herb sauce and a punchy garlic sauce to make an unbelievably tasty meal.

Looking for more recipes?

See all recipes
penguin pop image
penguin pop image