Fluffy white cupcakes filled with tart lemon curd and topped with marshmallow frosting and toasted graham cracker crumbs.
I’m not going to lie – these cupcakes take a little more effort than most of my recipes. They’re worth every last dish they’ll dirty though. They’re my new gold standard for cupcakes.
The white cake is light, fluffy, and has the most delicate crumb I’ve ever experienced in something homemade. The cake is mild and sweet – similar to angelfood cake – making it the perfect backdrop for the shocking tartness of lemon curd hidden inside. Each cupcake gets topped off with a dollop of sticky-sweet marshmallow frosting and a sprinkle of graham crackers before it gets toasted to perfection under the broiler, giving them a subtle campfire taste.
If you haven’t already planned your Easter dessert, these cupcakes will be perfect. (Plus, if you’re like me and forgot to buy white eggs to dye instead of instinctively grabbing an extra carton of brown ones, you’re in luck because this recipe uses about a million egg whites. If you’re feeling ambitious, you can use the yolks to make your own lemon curd for the filling.)
These cupcakes were inspired by a recipe for lemon s’mores that I found on Pinterest. I’m obsessed with lemon (have you checked out my lemon love board yet?), so lemon curd and toasted marshmallow sandwiches between graham crackers seemed even more amazing to me than the traditional chocolate. And as smitten as I was with the original concept, it seemed to be screaming to be made into a cupcake.
The ingredients are simple: flour, sugar, milk, egg whites, butter, vanilla, and cream of tarter. The cream of tarter helps stabilize the eggs whites to make the cake extra light and fluffy. It also gives the cake that elusive “birthday cake” flavor that always seems to be missing in cakes made from scratch.
Since I’ve been making an effort to use more whole wheat and whole white wheat flour in my savory recipes lately, I’ve been really into buying these little 2-pound bags of Gold Medal all purpose flour to use for baking. Whole wheat flour just won’t work in a recipe like this and I love that the small bags last a while but don’t take up too much room in my cabinet.
Once the cupcakes are cooled, they get filled with lemon curd. This is my favorite part of the recipe! I used a sharp paring knife to cut out a cone shape from the center of each cupcake, then spoon in a little curd before replacing it. Don’t worry if it doesn’t look perfect – it’ll get hidden under the frosting anyway.
For these cupcakes, you’ll have to whip egg whites twice – once for the cake and then again for the frosting. If you plan ahead, you can use the same bowl both times and save yourself from having another dish to wash. Just make sure to grab a heat proof bowl when you’re whipping the eggs whites for the cake!
This frosting is so good. It tastes like marshmallow fluff, but it’s way easier to make than marshmallows (plus you don’t need gelatin, just egg whites and sugar). It’s pretty sweet, but like the cake it goes really well with the lemon curd. Plus once it gets toasted, it’s just about the best thing ever!
Lemon S'mores Cupcakes
Ingredients
For the cupcakes
For the frosting
Instructions
To make the cupcakes:
To make the Icing:
To Assemble:
Nutrition Information
Amount Per Serving
Calories 357Total Fat 8.2gProtein 3.7g
This post was sponsored by Gold Medal Flour. Thank you for supporting the brands that keep me inspired in the kitchen!
Kim Bednall says
Can this recipe be converted to uk ?
Kelli's Kitchen says
These look so darn good! I love lemon pie so lemon cupcakes would just be that much better!
Becca from ItsYummi! says
Oh my gosh, Lauren… I’m drooling all over myself! These look amazing!
Jennie @themessybakerblog says
Who can blame your lemon obsession. It’s one of my favorite spring ingredients. I always keep a stash in my fridge. I discovered these beauties on Pinterest. They look gorgeous!
Mary Ellen says
Gorgeous and look delicious. I am going to have to try them…..
Kate @ Diethood says
These are beautiful!!
Rebecca {foodie with family} says
I just can’t even. I mean they look so good. It’s such a perfect springtime dessert!
Meredith In Sock Monkey Slippers says
calling my name!