Skip to Content

Lemon Cupcakes with Coconut Frosting

Lemon Cupcakes are the perfect summer treat! They are loaded with citrus flavor and a sweet hint of coconut from the shredded coconut in the batter as well as the delicious fluffy frosting on top. Lemon pudding makes these cupcakes moist and leaves you wanting a second one. 

Hello summer!!! I don’t know about you but I am so excited the nicer weather is finally here, winter felt like it was 10 months long this year, so to celebrate we are sharing our new Lemon Cupcakes with you today. 

In honor of Cupcake Lovers Day today our friend Valentina at The Baking Fairy has organized this awesome event for us cupcake loving foodies to share some of our favorite recipes with ya’ll!

Lemon Cupcakes in purple cupcake liners on marble counter

lemon cupcakes = pure bliss 

Our Lemon Cupcakes are the perfect balance of sweetness and tartness and are topped off with an incredible coconut frosting and toasted coconut flakes, making them a treat that everyone will enjoy. I have always been a citrus lover – oranges, lemons, clementines, you name it so it was a pretty easy decision for me when I decided to participate in Cupcake Lovers Day.

We were actually at a GOT finale party where someone had brought a coconut cake with lemon when I knew it was a recipe I had to recreate, but of course cupcakes are funner to eat and easier to make so I thought rather than do a cake why not make them instead?! If you have followed along with us for a while you know that I have a good base for my muffin recipes; like my Pumpkin Spice Muffins and also our Coconut Carrot Muffins, and I couldn’t believe I had yet to share any of my cupcake recipes with you.

I love a good cupcake, one that I can rip in half and smoosh the icing between the two layers…there is just something about that balance of cakey goodness with the thick icing that gets my heart racing! So my friends, let’s get to it.

Lemon cupcake batter in muffin cups and ice cream scoop full of batter

making cupcakes faq

what temperature is best for baking cupcakes?

Every cupcake recipe is going to be a little different but the majority of cupcakes will cook evenly at 350 F, though the cupcake pan you use can also make a difference. If you use a dark/non-stick pan you will generally want to cook them at a lower temperature.

how do i bake the perfect cupcake?

Believe it or not it all starts with when you are actually making your batter! Not over-mixing is KEY in having fluffy cupcakes that bake evenly and turn out great every single time. Also, as mentioned above, you want to pay attention to your cooking temperature and adjust if you are using a darker pan. You will also want to be sure to pay attention to your cupcakes cooking time, and set a timer to ensure you don’t get distracted doing something else.

how do you cool cupcakes?

The best way to cook your cupcakes is to allow them to rest for 10 minutes once out of the oven before transferring them to your cooling racks. Placing them on cooling racks allows the air to circulate around them and cools them off faster than if you leave them in your cupcake tin. If you are in a hurry to frost your cupcakes you do not want to skip this step and go right to the fridge!! You will end up with a sticky cupcake top and a ton of crumbs in your frosting.

Remember to PIN THIS RECIPE so you have it for later!

Lemon Cupcakes with Coconut Frosting

 

YOU MAY NEED

The following are affiliate links. We are a participant in the Amazon Services
LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide
a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

As you may have noticed above we ALWAYS use a cookie scoop when we make any kind of cupcake or muffin. This helps to ensure they are all the same size and will bake evenly every single time.

fluffy lemon cupcakes with coconut FROSTING

Lemon Cupcakes with Creamy Coconut Frosting

A delicious lemon cupcake made with lemon pudding and topped off with a decadent coconut frosting! 
Course Dessert, Treat
Cuisine American
Keyword Cupcake Recipe, Cupcakes, Lemon and Coconut
Prep Time 5 minutes
Servings 12 cupcakes
Author Melissa

Ingredients

Cupcake Batter

  • 1.5 cups Flour All Purpose
  • 1 package Lemon Pudding
  • 1.5 tsp Baking Powder
  • 1/2 tsp Salt
  • 1/2 cup Butter Unsalted
  • 1/2 cup Sugar
  • 2 Eggs
  • 1 tbsp Coconut Extract
  • 3/4 cup Milk
  • 1 tbsp Lemon Zest
  • 1/2 cup Shredded Coconut Unsweetened

Coconut Frosting

  • 1 cup Butter
  • 4 cups Powdered Sugar
  • 2 tbsp Coconut Extract
  • 3-4 tbsp Milk
  • 1/4 cup Shredded Coconut
  • Flaked Coconut for topping

Instructions

Cupcakes

  • Preheat oven to 350 F and line cupcake pan with liners. 
  • Begin by whisking flour, pudding mix, baking powder and salt in a small bowl to combine. 
  • Using a stand or electric mixer cream butter and sugar until fluffy (approx 3-5 mins). Add in eggs 1 at a time and beat well. Mix in coconut extract and lemon zest. 
  • On low speed alternate between your flour mixture and milk and mix until just combined (do not over beat your cupcake batter). 
  • Fold in shredded coconut and using a cookie scoop fill cupcake liners until they are about 3/4 full. 
  • Bake at 350 F for 20-25 minutes, until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. All ovens are different so PLEASE keep an eye on your cupcakes. 

Coconut Frosting

  • Begin by creaming your butter on medium speed for about 3 minutes to ensure it is smooth before adding the powdered sugar. 
  • 1 cup at a time add in the powdered sugar until it reaches your desired consistency (I find about 3.5-4 cups is perfect!). 
  • Beat in your coconut extract and then stir in shredded coconut. 

Decorating/Frosting

  • Pipe your frosting on COOLED cupcakes using your favorite tip and then top the cupcakes with the flaked coconut! 

Notes

Room temperature butter works the best for this recipe. If your butter is in the fridge be sure to SLOWLY microwave it to bring it up to temperature before using. 

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE

cupcake recipes for everyone! 

Vegan Birthday Cake Oreo Cupcakes by The Baking Fairy
Avocado Cupcakes with Lime Frosting by A Day in the Life on the Farm
Brown Cow Cupcakes by Palatable Pastime
Brown Sugar Cinnamon Cupcakes by Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
Busy Bee Honey Vanilla Cupcakes by For The Love of Food
Butter Pecan Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting by A Little Fish in the Kitchen
Cheesecake Cupcakes by Walking on Sunshine Recipes
Cherry Limeade Cupcakes by That Recipe
Cherry Vanilla Cupcakes by The Freshman Cook
Chocolate Cupcakes with Dulce de Leche Frosting by Cooking for my Soul
Chocolate Irish Cream Cupcakes with Irish Cream Frosting by Daily Dish Recipes
Cookies & Cream Cupcakes by Karen’s Kitchen Stories
Creamsicle Cupcakes by Red Cottage Chronicles
Gluten Free Rocky Road Cupcakes by Frugal & Fit
Honey Lemon’s HoneyBee Cupcakes by Simply Inspired Meals
Lemon Lavender Blackberry Cupcakes by Culinary Adventures with Camilla
Lost Princess Cupcakes by Seduction in the Kitchen
Orange You Glad Cupcakes by Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
Peanut Butter & Jelly Cupcakes by The Beard and The Baker
Pineapple Coconut Cupcakes by Crumb Top Baking
Pink Lemonade Cupcakes by Bowl Me Over
Pudding Pop Cupcakes by Nik Snacks
Small Batch Chocolate Cupcakes with Cookie Dough Frosting by Join Us, Pull Up a Chair
Strawberry Basil Cupcakes with Chocolate Balsamic Frosting by The Spiffy Cookie
Strawberry Cupcakes by Confessions of a Baking Queen
Strawberry Jello Cupcakes by Kelly Lynn’s Sweets and Treats
Sweet Summertime Cupcakes by Cooking with Carlee
Vanilla Bourbon Bacon Cupcakes by Our Good Life
Vegan Red Velvet Cupcakes by Simple Family Crazy Life
Watermelon Themed Cake & Cupcakes by The Mandatory Mooch
White Chocolate Cupcakes by Triple Chocolate Kitchen

Recipe Rating




Butter Pecan Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting

Thursday 22nd of August 2019

[…] Road Cupcakes by Frugal & FitHoney Lemon’s HoneyBee Cupcakes by Simply Inspired MealsLemon Cupcakes with Coconut Frosting by The Olive BloggerLemon Lavender Blackberry Cupcakes by Culinary Adventures with CamillaLost […]

Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Muffins - THE OLIVE BLOGGER - Recipes your family will love!

Monday 29th of July 2019

[…] Lemon Cupcakes with Coconut Frosting […]

Lost Princess Cupcake {Inspired By Disney Cupcake}

Friday 14th of June 2019

[…] Road Cupcakes by Frugal & Fit Honey Lemon’s HoneyBee Cupcakes by Simply Inspired Meals Lemon Cupcakes with Coconut Frosting by The Olive Blogger Lemon Lavender Blackberry Cupcakes by Culinary Adventures with Camilla Lost […]

Peanut Butter & Jelly Cupcakes | Moist, Fluffy, and Delicious - The Beard And The Baker

Friday 14th of June 2019

[…] Road Cupcakes by Frugal & Fit Honey Lemon’s HoneyBee Cupcakes by Simply Inspired Meals Lemon Cupcakes with Coconut Frosting by The Olive Blogger Lemon Lavender Blackberry Cupcakes by Culinary Adventures with Camilla Lost […]

Sharon

Thursday 13th of June 2019

I am always in the mood for cupcakes but add the zesty lemon and fluffy coconut frosting and I am all in!!

oliveblogger

Friday 14th of June 2019

Isn't the flavor combo just divine!? We love these lemon cupcakes so much!