Back at the end of July, Chincoteague Island had their Annual Blueberry Festival. In addition to a wide array of arts and crafts, and delicious food offerings, they sell flats of blueberries for a great price. We ordered a flat, and brought it home. We immediately froze and bagged most of them, to be used through out the year in various recipes. My home brewing husband, Jon, brewed a blueberry cream ale a few weeks ago. It’s getting ready to be kegged next week, and should be pouring shortly thereafter. Neither of us can wait to try it! That, however, is another post…
I’d been wanting to make these beautiful cupcakes for some time now, back when Annie posted them in the spring. They looked so deliciously light, and airy. And lemon/blueberry is just about one of my favorite combinations on the planet. This one is definitely a winner! A fresh change of pace from a traditional run-of-the-mill standard cupcakes (not that there’s anything wrong with that!). I love that the cream cheese frosting has a hint of lemon too, just puts it over the edge. Try these!
Lemon Blueberry Cupcakes
Yields: about 16 cupcakes
For the cupcakes:
¾ cup plus 2 tbsp. all-purpose flour, divided
¾ cup cake flour
1½ tsp. baking powder
¼ tsp. salt
8 tbsp. unsalted butter, at room temperature
¾ cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar
Zest of 1 lemon
2 large eggs, at room temperature
1 tsp. vanilla extract
2 tbsp. lemon juice
½ cup plus 2 tbsp. milk, at room temperature
1 cup fresh blueberries
For the frosting:
8 oz. cream cheese
5 tbsp. unsalted butter, at room temperature
3 cups confectioners’ sugar, sifted
1 tbsp. freshly squeezed lemon juice
Zest of 1 large lemon
Additional fresh blueberries, for garnish
Preheat the oven to 350? F. Line cupcake pans with paper liners. In a medium bowl, combine the ¾ cup all-purpose flour, the cake flour, baking powder and salt; whisk together and set aside. In the bowl of an electric mixer, combine the butter, sugar and lemon zest. Beat together on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. Beat in the eggs one at a time, blending well after each addition. Beat in the vanilla and lemon juice. With the mixer on low speed, mix in half of the dry ingredients just until incorporated. Blend in the milk. Mix in the remaining dry ingredients, beating just until incorporated.
In a small bowl, toss the blueberries with the remaining 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour. Using a spatula gently fold the berries into the cake batter. Divide the batter evenly between the prepared liners, filling each about ¾ full. Bake 20-22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool in the pans 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
To make the frosting, combine the cream cheese and butter in the bowl of an electric mixer. Beat on medium-high speed until well combined and smooth, about 2-3 minutes. Mix in the lemon juice and lemon zest. Gradually beat in the confectioners’ sugar until totally incorporated, increase the speed and then beat until smooth. Frost cooled cupcakes as desired. Garnish with fresh blueberries.
Source: Annie’s Eats
