These citrus-flavored cupcakes hit the spot after some Independence Day BBQ.

Fourth of July Cupcakes

I used grapefruit in my Lemon Cupcake recipe, which resulted in a subtle citrus flavor that no one could quite guess. They tasted good, but they could have used more of a grapefruit punch.

I upped the amount of grapefruit zest in the cupcake recipe below. It should make their taste slightly stronger yet not overpowering.

Happy Fourth of July Weekend!

Recipe: Grapefruit Cupcakes and Frosting

Makes about 16 frosted cupcakes

1 1/4 sticks unsalted butter
4 oz. cream cheese
1 1/2 cups sugar
3 1/2 large eggs
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon grapefruit juice
1 1/2 cups flour
2 tablespoons grapefruit zest
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
FROSTING:
1 1/4 sticks butter, softened
1 pound powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 tablespoons fresh grapefruit juice
1 teaspoon grapefruit zest

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line muffin tins with paper cupcake liners.

Cream the butter, cream cheese and sugar at medium speed, then reduce to low. Add the eggs one at a time, then add the grapefruit juice and vanilla extract.

Sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Add the grapefruit zest to the flour mixture.

Incorporate the dry ingredients gradually into the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Do not over mix.

Scoop batter into lined muffin tins with an ice cream scoop (about 3/4 full). Bake about 20 minutes, rotating pans halfway through.

Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pan, then move to racks to cool completely.

For frosting: Beat the butter until smooth and add the vanilla extract. Slowly add the powdered sugar, then the grapefruit juice and zest. Add a little milk if frosting is too thick or not smooth. Add more powdered sugar if the frosting is too thin.

Frost the cupcakes once they reach room temperature.

Red, White and Blue CupcakesThese patriotically colored cupcakes are fitting for a Fourth of July post, though they were baked for a party celebrating the recent union of two friends, one of whom was born across the pond.

UK US Love Cupcakes

American-British relations certainly have improved over the past 238 years.

Bobby and Katie

UK-US BK love
I also designed an event “logo” for the invitation, cocktail napkins, and party décor.

Basic Vanilla, All Dressed Up

Vanilla Mini Cupcake with Chocolate Sauce

To provide a variety of flavors without baking different cupcakes or making a lot of icings, I went with vanilla on vanilla with a little something extra. Baking mini rather than full-sized cupcakes gave me more to play with. Half the cupcakes got a swirl of frosting, then a chocolate ganache or caramel drizzle. On the others, I used a dollop of strawberry-rhubarb jam or lemon curd, piping frosting around.

Cupcakes with Lemon Curd and Vanilla Frosting

I was honored to bake for such a special occasion celebrating two good friends (and loyal cupcake fans)!

Cupcake Amelie
Yes, I do eat the cupcakes.

Frosting Recipe

Happy Independence Day, USA! I made you these.

I stuck with the basics for these patriotic cupcakes, vanilla with vanilla buttercream. The batter I colored blue, the icing red, using Ateco Spectrum Gel Food Colors.

blue vanilla cupcake with red vanilla buttercream icing