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    Home » Sweets » Cakes

    Lavender Lemon Cupcakes

    May 12, 2021 by Chenée Lewis

    681 shares
    Lavender Lemon Cupcakes Recipe | Chenée Today

    These lavender lemon cupcakes are perfect for springtime! Fluffy lavender cupcakes with lemon cream cheese frosting – so delicious! And if you like this lemon lavender cupcakes recipe, try my Buttermilk Blueberry Muffins with Lemon Zest, my Lemon and Blackberry Cake, or my Earl Grey Lavender Cake with Honey-Lemon Glaze!

    lemon lavender cupcake recipe on a tray
    Lavender Lemon Cupcakes
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    *This post contains affiliate links — as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Please see my disclosure for details*.

    Lemon Lavender Cupcakes Recipe

    Sometimes you just need a bite of springtime! And when you do, these lemon lavender cupcakes are the perfect treat. They're light, moist, fluffy, touched with a hint of lavender, and have the most amazing lemon cream cheese buttercream frosting. And they're perfect for spring and summer celebrations! So you can make these easy lemon lavender cupcakes for a birthday, a baby shower, a bridal shower, a graduation! Or just as a treat for yourself or the family anytime! They're so easy, you don't need an occasion!

    What does a lavender cupcake taste like?

    The light floral flavor of lavender extract in these cupcakes is delightful! It gives them a bright, springtime quality that goes perfectly with the lemon zest and the lemon cream cheese frosting.

    lemon lavender cupcake with wrapper pulled off
    Lavender Cupcakes with Lemon Frosting

    Ingredients

    These lemon lavender cupcakes come from my mini vanilla cake recipe. And they're just as easy, and just as moist and fluffy! The ingredients list is largely the same:

    • eggs - they should be room temperature.
    • lemon zest - complements the lavender perfectly!
    • pure vanilla extract - perfect balance for the lavender
    • lavender extract - just enough lavender flavor to give these cupcakes a unique floral scent. I use Angel Bake.
    • granulated sugar - gives these cupcakes their sweetness!
    • vegetable oil - adds a bit of richness to the batter.
    • sour cream - keeps these cupcakes moist and tender. Should be room temperature.
    • cake flour - contains less gluten than all-purpose flour, so your cupcakes will stay light and tender.
    • baking powder & baking soda - gives your cupcakes a lift!
    • salt - brings out all the flavors.

    And then they're topped with a quick and easy lemon cream cheese buttercream frosting that makes these cupcakes irresistible! For that, you'll just need:

    • cream cheese
    • salted butter
    • lemon zest & juice
    • powdered sugar

    When you have everything gathered together, you're ready to make these lemon lavender cupcakes!

    Lavender Lemon Cupcakes, Step by Step

    Like my mini vanilla cake and mini chocolate cake, these lemon lavender cupcakes are mostly a one bowl and whisk recipe! It takes just a few minutes to get ready for the oven.

    1. First, you'll beat together your eggs, zest, sugar, and extracts and then add in your oil and sour cream.
    2. Next, you'll sift in your flour, baking powder, baking powder, and salt. Fold it all together until it's just barely combined.
    3. Then just fill your prepped baking liners and you're ready to bake!
    Lavender Lemon Cupcakes on a tray
    Lavender Lemon Cupcakes

    Tips and F.A.Q.

    What does lavender cake taste like?

    Like springtime! These cupcakes have a beautiful hint of floral lavender flavor, softened a bit with vanilla and brightened by the lemon cream cheese frosting. And the lavender flavor in these lavender lemon cupcakes isn't intense at all! I love using lavender extract because it allows precise control over the amount of lavender flavor. If you are hesitant about baking with lavender, you could start with just half the lavender extract called for in the recipe card below. You'll still have beautifully flavored cupcakes with a more subtle lavender aroma.

    What is the secret to moist cupcakes?

    My secret for these lemon lavender cupcakes is using vegetable oil instead of butter. Just like in my mini vanilla cake, the oil keeps the cupcakes from drying out. Most cupcakes are made with butter as the primary fat, which adds flavor. However, because butter is about 18% water, a lot of the moisture added to the batter when butter is used can evaporate during or after baking. Vegetable oil, by contrast, is 100% fat. That means that all of the richness and moisture provided by the oil remains in the cupcakes well after they're baked and lasts for days.

    lemon lavender cupcakes on a plate and tray

    What makes a cupcake light and fluffy?

    To make sure your lemon lavender cupcakes bake up nice and light, you'll need to whip air bubbles into the batter while you're mixing it. This is why many recipes call for using a whisk or an electric mixer to beat the wet ingredients until they're "fluffy." All that air in the batter will expand in the oven, giving you a fluffier cupcake!

    Another key is to avoid overmixing your batter so that you don't overactivate the gluten in your flour. That's why we're using cake flour, which has a lower gluten content than all-purpose flour. That's also why in the recipe card below, I say to "fold" the flour in until it's just combined -- meaning, don't use a whisk or electric mixer, and don't keep mixing after the flour is mixed in. This keeps the gluten from activating, which prevents a dense, tough result and ensures the best texture for your cupcakes!

    What if I don't have cake flour?

    If you don't have cake flour, you can make a substitute to use for these lemon lavender cupcakes! All you need is all-purpose flour and corn starch. Just measure out 1 ¼ cup of all-purpose flour and replace 2½ teaspoons of it with cornstarch. In grams, it'll be 155 grams of all-purpose flour sifted with 6 grams of cornstarch. As I mentioned above, it's best to measure by weight with a kitchen scale, but if you don't have one be sure to use the spoon-and-level method to measure by volume.

    How do you use lavender in a cake?

    Actually, there are a few different ways to get lavender flavor into your cake or cupcakes. This recipe uses lavender extract, which I've found to be the simplest. But you can also use dried culinary lavender to infuse milk or other liquid ingredients, or you can grind it in with sugar or salt.

    Can you freeze cupcakes with frosting?

    Yes! These although these lavender lemon cupcakes are best frozen unfrosted -- just wrap each cooled cupcake in plastic wrap, then store in a freezer bag for up to 2 months. You can also freeze the frosted cupcakes too. Just freeze them uncovered until the frosting is solid, then wrap them in plastic wrap and place in an airtight container for up to 2 months. Thaw cupcakes unwrapped at room temperature.

    lemon lavender cupcake cut in half
    Lemon Cupcakes

    If you try this recipe, I would love it if you could leave a star review rating and comment below! It’s so wonderful hearing your feedback! And don’t forget to share your creations with me by tagging @chenee_today on Instagram!

    More Lemon Recipes You'll Love

    • Almond Lemon Cookies
    • Lemon Dump Cake
    • Lemon Sour Cream Pound Cake
    • Vegan Olive Oil Cake with Lemon and Pistachio
    • Lemon Poppyseed Scones
    lemon lavender cupcake recipe on a tray

    Lavender Lemon Cupcakes

    Print Pin Recipe Rate Recipe
    These lavender lemon cupcakes are perfect for springtime! Fluffy lavender cupcakes with lemon cream cheese frosting – so delicious! You'll love this lemon lavender cupcakes recipe!
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Cook Time: 20 minutes
    Total Time: 35 minutes
    Course: Dessert, Snack
    Cuisine :American
    Servings: 12 cupcakes
    Calories: 426kcal
    Recipe Source: Chenée Lewis

    Equipment you may need

    • muffin pan
    • cupcake liners
    • mixing bowls
    • measuring cups and spoons
    • whisk
    • cupcake scoops
    • rubber spatula
    • hand mixer
    • stand mixer
    • pastry bag and tips

    Ingredients

    • baking spray
    • 2 large egg – room temperature
    • 2 teaspoon (4 g) lemon zest
    • 1 teaspoon (5 ml) pure vanilla extract
    • 2 teaspoon (10 ml) lavender extract
    • 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
    • 6 tablespoon (89 ml) vegetable oil
    • ⅔ cup (153 g) sour cream – room temperature
    • 1 ¼ cup (156 g) cake flour 163g
    • 1.5 teaspoon (7 ml) baking powder
    • 0.5 teaspoon (2 ml) salt
    • 0.25 teaspoon (1 ml) baking soda

    Lemon Cream Cheese Buttercream Frosting

    • 8 oz (227 g) cream cheese - full-fat, room temperature
    • 5 tablespoon (74 ml) salted butter - room temperature
    • 4½ cups (540 g) powdered sugar - (526g), plus an additional ½ cup if needed
    • 1 tablespoon (8 g) lemon zest
    • 1 ½ tablespoon (22 ml) fresh lemon juice

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 12-cup muffin pan and spray with baking spray.
      baking spray
    • In a large bowl, beat together eggs, lemon zest, vanilla extract, and lavender extract until fluffy and light.
      2 large egg – room temperature, 2 teaspoon lemon zest, 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract, 2 teaspoon lavender extract
    • Add in granulated sugar and whip until fluffy and well combined.
      1 cup granulated sugar
    • Mix in vegetable oil and sour cream until smooth.
      6 tablespoon vegetable oil, ⅔ cup sour cream – room temperature
    • Sift in flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Fold until just combined.
      1 ¼ cup cake flour 163g, 0.5 teaspoon salt, 0.25 teaspoon baking soda, 1.5 teaspoon baking powder
    • Use a cupcake scoop or measuring cup to fill cupcake liners two-thirds full. Drop onto counter from 3 inches high to eliminate air bubbles.
    • Bake in preheated oven 18-20 minutes or until centers are springy to the touch and a toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs. Allow to cool completely before decorating.

    Lemon Cream Cheese Buttercream Frosting

    • Using a hand mixer or in the bowl of a stand mixer with the whisk attachment, beat softened cream cheese and butter until smooth.
      8 oz cream cheese, 5 tablespoon salted butter
    • Mix in lemon zest and lemon juice until well combined.
      1 tablespoon lemon zest, 1 ½ tablespoon fresh lemon juice
    • Gradually add powdered sugar while continuing to mix until you've achieved your desired consistency. Beat an additional 1-2 minutes.
      4½ cups powdered sugar
    • Spread or pipe over cooled cupcakes.

    Video

    Notes

    Freezing: These lemon lavender cupcakes are best frozen unfrosted -- just wrap each cooled cupcake in plastic wrap, then store in a freezer bag for up to 2 months. You can also freeze the frosted cupcakes too. Just freeze them uncovered until the frosting is solid, then wrap them in plastic wrap and place in an airtight container for up to 2 months. Thaw cupcakes unwrapped at room temperature.
    Cake Flour Substitute: If you don't have cake flour, you can make a substitute to use for these lemon lavender cupcakes! All you need is all-purpose flour and corn starch. Just measure out 1 ¼ cup of all-purpose flour and replace 2½ teaspoons of it with cornstarch. In grams, it'll be 155 grams of all-purpose flour sifted with 6 grams of cornstarch. As I mentioned above, it's best to measure by weight with a kitchen scale, but if you don't have one be sure to use the spoon-and-level method to measure by volume.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1 cupcake | Calories: 426 kcal | Carbohydrates: 83 g | Protein: 3 g | Fat: 10 g | Saturated Fat: 6 g | Cholesterol: 52 mg | Sodium: 181 mg | Potassium: 122 mg | Fiber: 0.5 g | Sugar: 70 g | Calcium: 58 mg | Iron: 1 mg
    Nutrition Disclaimer
    Tags: easy lemon cupcakes, lavender and lemon, lavender and lemon cake, lavender cupcake recipe, lavender cupcakes, lavender cupcakes recipe, lavender cupcakes with lemon frosting, lavender frosting, lavender lemon, lavender lemon cake, lavender lemon cupcakes, lemon and lavender cupcakes, lemon cupcakes, lemon lavender cake, lemon lavender cupcake recipe, lemon lavender cupcakes, lemon lavender cupcakes recipe, lemon lavender recipes, recipe lemon cupcakes
    Did you try this recipe? Rate it below!I can't wait to see (and share) your results! Follow me on Instagram at @chenee_today and tag #cheneetoday!

    PIN this lemon lavender cupcakes recipe for later!

    lavender lemon cupcakes recipe

    Last Updated on April 2, 2022 by Chenée Lewis

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    681 shares

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    1. Jazz

      July 21, 2020 at 3:50 pm

      5 stars
      These came out SO moist and fluffy. I doubled the recipe because I had a hunch my family would love them and was right. Thank you!

      Reply
      • Chenée Lewis

        July 22, 2020 at 5:18 pm

        I'm so glad you all enjoyed them 🙂 Thanks!!

        Reply
    2. Mila

      July 20, 2020 at 10:29 pm

      5 stars
      When I saw this recipe I was like omg, I love lavender and lemon together. They were amazing as a cupcake. Light, fluffy and wonderful! Thanks for this great recipe. We'll be doing it again!

      Reply
      • Chenée Lewis

        July 22, 2020 at 5:17 pm

        I'm so glad you liked it!! Lavender and lemon are perfect together!

        Reply
    3. Katrina Adams

      July 20, 2020 at 12:38 am

      5 stars
      These cupcakes were delicious!! Very moist and amazing flavor!!

      Reply
      • Chenée Lewis

        July 20, 2020 at 6:34 pm

        So glad you enjoyed them!

        Reply
    4. Marta

      July 19, 2020 at 10:16 pm

      5 stars
      I'm a sucker for all things lavender, but when I bit into these lavender and lemon cupcakes I fell in love all over again. These are definitely going into heavy dessert rotation here.

      Reply
      • Chenée Lewis

        July 20, 2020 at 6:35 pm

        Thanks so much! I'm so glad you liked them!

        Reply
    5. Capri

      July 19, 2020 at 8:34 pm

      5 stars
      These cupcakes are amazing!! I love the combination of lavender and lemon

      Reply
      • Chenée Lewis

        July 20, 2020 at 6:36 pm

        Thanks!! It's one of my all-time favorite combos 🙂

        Reply
    6. Kaluhi

      July 19, 2020 at 11:49 am

      5 stars
      Absolutely lovely pictures!! Thank you for the recipe and for the detailed explainations! I'll try these for sure

      Reply
      • Chenée Lewis

        July 20, 2020 at 6:37 pm

        Wonderful! Let me know how you like them! 🙂

        Reply
    7. Desirée

      July 19, 2020 at 12:43 am

      5 stars
      I was a little skeptical, but lemon and lavender make an amazinggggg combination! These cupcakes disappeared in 1 day! lol

      Reply
      • Chenée Lewis

        July 20, 2020 at 6:37 pm

        Haha that happened over here too!! Thanks so much!

        Reply
    8. Chef Mireille

      July 18, 2020 at 4:59 am

      5 stars
      I love all desserts infused with lavender. It's one of my favorite flavorings and these cupcakes were so on point. A great snack with a glass of iced tea in the summer heat and I put lavender in the tea also 🙂

      Reply
      • Chenée Lewis

        July 20, 2020 at 6:38 pm

        Great idea! These would definitely be perfect with iced tea!

        Reply
    9. Tamara

      July 16, 2020 at 7:15 pm

      5 stars
      I was looking for a sweet treat for a ladies brunch I hosted, and these cupcakes were a hit! Everyone was asking where I got the recipe. I was sure to share your information!

      Reply
      • Chenée Lewis

        July 20, 2020 at 6:38 pm

        Thanks so much! And I'm glad they worked out well for your brunch 🙂

        Reply
    10. Shani

      July 16, 2020 at 1:01 am

      5 stars
      These were absolutely amazing! My first time baking with lavender and it was a hit.

      Reply
      • Chenée Lewis

        July 20, 2020 at 6:38 pm

        The lavender extract makes it so easy! Glad you enjoyed 🙂

        Reply
    11. Nij

      July 15, 2020 at 11:56 pm

      5 stars
      Substituted with cup for cup and plant based dairy. Lavender and lemon are a great flavor combinations, so good

      Reply
      • Chenée Lewis

        July 20, 2020 at 6:39 pm

        Awesome! So glad they worked out for you 🙂

        Reply
    12. Brittany Fiero

      July 15, 2020 at 10:41 pm

      5 stars
      These cupcakes are amazing and delicious! The combination of lavender and lemon is heavenly.

      Reply
      • Chenée Lewis

        July 20, 2020 at 6:40 pm

        Isn't it?? Thanks for trying them out -- I"m so glad you liked them 🙂

        Reply
    13. Aly M

      July 15, 2020 at 8:43 pm

      5 stars
      Arghhh I am a sucker for cream cheese buttercream frosting and a cupcake made with LAVENDER!? Oh my god this was so good. It's was super fluffy and flavorful - we loved it. Thank you so much for this recipe!

      Reply
      • Chenée Lewis

        July 20, 2020 at 6:40 pm

        I'm glad you liked it!!! The cream cheese frosting is my FAVORITE part!

        Reply
    14. Renia

      July 15, 2020 at 4:52 pm

      5 stars
      Lavender and lemon is the best flavor combo. Your cupcakes were a smash hit. So happy I found this recipe.

      Reply
      • Chenée Lewis

        July 15, 2020 at 5:07 pm

        I'm so glad you liked them! Thanks 🙂

        Reply
    15. Erika Ravnsborg

      July 15, 2020 at 4:50 pm

      Oh yummy. These cupcakes look beautiful and delicious. I've never cooked with lavender but I will have to give it a go

      Reply
      • Chenée Lewis

        July 15, 2020 at 5:07 pm

        Thanks! Baking with lavender is fantastic -- it adds a unique fresh flavor to everything!

        Reply

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    About Chenée

    I’m Chenée (kinda rhymes with “today”) and I love all types of baking! But my favorite recipes are ones that are quick and easy, and still yield impressive results. The ones you can't help but make again and again! That's what I share here, and I hope I can make your baking life a little easier along the way. MORE ABOUT CHENÉE >>

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