Tag: <span>bake sale recipes</span>

S’mores Sandwich Cookies

S’mores Sandwich Cookies

Hey Y’all! Soooo….I’m about to change your life right now with S’mores Sandwich Cookies!! You don’t even need a campfire to create this delightful little treat. The cookies on their own are completely amazing so you’re going to have to resist devouring them hot out […]

Cookies and Cream Rice Krispies Treats

Cookies and Cream Rice Krispies Treats

If you haven’t tried Cookies and Cream Rice Krispie Treats, then you’re doing it wrong! This extraordinary mashup combines two of my most loved goodies, Oreo cookies and Rice Krispies cereal. Have you ever asked yourself what happens when Oreo cookies and Rice Krispies collide? […]

Lemon Meringue Cupcakes

Lemon Meringue Cupcakes

Happy Spring my friends! Nothing says Springtime quite like these gorgeous little Lemon Meringue Cupcakes, don’t ya think? Add a little sunshine to your life with this cute lemony treat. These show stopping cupcakes are a fun spinoff on the classic and very delicious lemon meringue pie. The melt-in-your-mouth homemade meringue topping is piled high on this subtley sweet lemon flavored cupcake. But wait! There’s even a surprise lemon pie filling hidden inside. I know what you’re thinking, that sounds like a lot of steps. But our easy to follow recipe, and a few shortcuts, help to make this one a piece of cake! Or should I say cupcake?

Here’s all you’ll need: lemon cake mix, canola oil, eggs, lemon zest, lemon pie filling, egg whites, cream of tartar, and sugar.

Lemon Meringue Cupcakes ingredients list.

Let’s just jump right in with a shortcut right out of the gate…a boxed cake mix! Now I’m all about baking from scratch in most situations, but hey, life gets hectic and we can all use a little shortcut every once in awhile, right? Plus we’re going to dress this up a little bit, so I promise no one will know.

Combine the lemon cake mix, water, oil, eggs, and lemon zest in a large bowl. It’s simple to create lemon zest. Just run the peel of a lemon against a grater. Lemon zest helps to pump up that bright citrusy flavor. Beat with a hand mixer on low speed for 30 seconds. Then kick it up to medium speed and continue to mix for another two minutes.

Lemon cake mix, water, oil, eggs, and lemon zest mixed with a hand mixer in a large bowl.

Lemon Meringue Cupcakes are most definitely that special occasion that you’ve been saving those pretty paper lined muffin cups for. So line a muffin pan with the cutest paper lined muffin cups you can find, then fill each cup two thirds of the way full with batter.

When baking muffins or cupcakes in paper cups, I always line the bottom of the each cavity in the pan with a little bit of rice. This prevents any residual oil that’s left in the baking pan from seeping up and ruining those beautiful, decorative paper lined muffin cups without interfering with the baking. Just enough rice to cover the bottom of the pan will do the trick! (but this step is not necessary to bake this recipe if you don’t have rice on hand, skip it).

Paper lined muffin cups filled two thirds of the way full with lemon cake batter.

Bake in a 350 degree preheated oven for 18-22 minutes. When you can insert a toothpick in the center and it comes out clean, no clumps or stickiness, then you know they’re done!

It doesn’t matter what I’m making, when I’m using two baking pans I ALWAYS use the top and middle racks of the oven. It also helps to switch the position of the pans halfway through baking. So the pan that’s on the middle rack gets moved to the top rack and vice versa. This helps to ensure that all the cupcakes bake evenly since the heat in most ovens isn’t consistent throughout. You’ll definitely see an improvement in your baking!

Lemon cupcakes in a muffin pan hot out of the oven.

Meanwhile let’s whip up that lemon pie filling while the cupcakes are baking and cooling. Insert time saving shortcut here!! Store bought lemon pie filling helps to shave a little bit of time from this recipe and gives you more time to finish laundry, enjoy your coffee, and get outdoors and enjoy some of that sunshine. You’re welcome!

You can find lemon filling in the baking aisle. It may say lemon creme filling or just lemon filling on the label and it usually comes in a box or a can. Our box mix required a little bit of prep work, but I promise it was easy peasy  (lemon squeezy).

Once the cupcakes are completely cool, we can add the lemon pie filling. I used a piping bag with a round piping tip, then inserted it into the middle of the cupcake and gently squeezed until the filling reached the top of the cupcake. You can also use a melon baller or a small pairing knife to scoop out the center of the cupcake and then spoon in the filling into the middle. Both methods work just fine, it’s all about what you have on hand.

Lemon pie filling is added to the center of the cupcake with a piping bag.

Now it’s time for that soft and fluffy meringue topping! And this one’s all homemade, no shortcuts here. Add the egg whites and cream of tartar to a large bowl. Using a hand mixer, beat on medium speed until soft peaks form. Soft peaks will barely hold their shape. When the beaters are lifted the peaks will flop.

Gradually beat in the sugar, a little bit at a time, at a high speed until the sugar is is dissolved. Continue to beat on high speed until stiff, glossy peaks form. Stiff peaks will stand up straight when the beaters are lifted (see below picture).

Meringue topping beaten until stiff, glossy peaks are formed.

Pipe the meringue topping over the tops of the cupcakes using the piping tip of your choice. You can get fancy with a star tip or keep it simple with a round tip. Whatever tip you use, make sure your topping is piled sky high!

No piping tips, no problem. Spoon the meringue topping over the cupcakes to cover. Be sure to create a heaping mound of meringue deliciousness! The more meringue the better!! It’s easiest if you leave the cupcakes in the pan to complete this step because the topping can be a little sticky at this point.

Bake in a 400 degree preheated oven for 5-8 minutes or until the meringue is toasty and golden brown. You’ll want to stay close to the oven and keep an eagle eye watch while they’re baking. Meringue can turn from perfectly golden to completely scorched quicker than you’d think! So pay close attention to those tops.

Meringue topping being piped onto lemon cupcakes.

Cool for 10 minutes in the pan and then remove to wire racks and finish cooling. Store Lemon Meringue Cupcakes in an airtight container in the refrigerator until ready to eat. I don’t know about you, but I’m ready right NOW!!! If you’re all about timesaving recipes to impress, then you’ll wanna try our Chocolate Overload Cake next!

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Lemon Meringue Cupcakes

May 21, 2019
: 24 cupcakes
: Medium

By:

Ingredients
  • 1 box lemon flavored cake mix
  • 1-1/3 cups water
  • 1/3 cup canola oil
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 tablespoon grated lemon zest
  • 1 cup lemon pie filling
  • MERINGUE:
  • 3 large egg whites, room temperature
  • 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
  • 1/2 cup sugar
Directions
  • Step 1 Combine the lemon cake mix, water, oil, eggs, and lemon zest in a large bowl. Beat with a hand mixer on low speed for 30 seconds. Switch to medium speed and continue to mix for another two minutes.
  • Step 2 Line a muffin pan with paper lined muffin cups. Fill each cup two thirds of the way full with cake batter. Bake in a 350 degree preheated oven for 18-22 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  • Step 3 Once cupcakes are cool, pipe filling into the center of each cupcake with a piping bag and a round tip. You can also use a melon baller or a pairing knife to cut a small hole in the center of the cupcake and spoon in the lemon pie filling by hand.
  • Step 4 Add the egg whites and cream of tartar to a large bowl. Using a hand mixer, beat on medium speed until soft peaks form. Gradually beat in the sugar, a little bit at a time, at a high speed until the sugar is is dissolved. Continue to beat on high speed until stiff, glossy peaks form.
  • Step 5 Pipe the meringue topping over the tops of the cupcakes using the piping tip of your choice. Or use a spoon to mound up heaps of meringue topping to cover the cupcakes.
  • Step 6 Bake in a 400 degree preheated oven for 5-8 minutes or until the meringue is golden brown. Keep a close, watchful eye on the topping. Meringue can burn quickly.
  • Step 7 Cool for 10 minutes in the pan and then remove to wire racks and finish cooling. Store Lemon Meringue Cupcakes in an airtight container in the refrigerator until ready to eat. Enjoy!

We’d love to hear from you! Leave us your comments and love down below!

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Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

I’ve never met a cookie that I didn’t like and these Oatmeal Raisin Cookies are no different. I’ve gotta warn you though…they pack a wallop of flavor and are highly addictive. Just like the ones Grandma used to make, this delicious cookie is crispy on […]

Perfect Peanut Butter Cookies

Perfect Peanut Butter Cookies

Peanut Butter Cookies were my absolute favorite as a kid. So when I grew up and started baking I knew that I needed a fabulous, no fail, peanut butter cookie recipe in my arsenal ASAP!! Well guys, this is that recipe!! These cookies are rich, […]

Frosted Zucchini Cupcakes

Frosted Zucchini Cupcakes

Zucchini bread is great and all but aren’t Zucchini Cupcakes even cuter?!? I mean it just doesn’t get any better than these adorable hand held little bundles of joy. In fact, I’m already planning on growing zucchini in my garden next year just for this recipe! Well that, and Pizza Zucchini Casserole! The spice flavor of these super moist cupcakes is absolute perfection. And that caramel frosting!! OMG!! Grrrlll….don’t even get me started….To. Die. For! You won’t even believe these out of this world cupcakes contain vegetables. Even my green veggie hating nephew gobbled one down! Seriously, I couldn’t believe my eyes. This will surely be your new favorite way to eat your zucchini. Promise!

Here’s all you’ll need: eggs, white sugar, canola oil, orange juice, almond extract, flour, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, salt, ground cloves, zucchini, brown sugar, butter, milk, vanilla extract, and confectioners sugar.

Frosted Zucchini Cupcakes by Happylifeblogspot.com #zucchinirecipes #zucchinicupcakes #spicecupcakes #fallrecipes #zucchini

Let’s get started! First in a large bowl, mix together the eggs, white sugar, canola oil, orange juice, and almond extract. Beat iiiiiittt!! Just Beat iiittttttt!!!

Frosted Zucchini Cupcakes by Happylifeblogspot.com #zucchinirecipes #zucchinicupcakes #spicecupcakes #fallrecipes #zucchini

Next in a separate bowl, combine the dry ingredients. That means our flour, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, salt and ground cloves. Whisk to combine.

Frosted Zucchini Cupcakes by Happylifeblogspot.com #zucchinirecipes #zucchinicupcakes #spicecupcakes #fallrecipes #zucchini

Then gradually add the dry mix to the egg ingredients a cup at a time. Blend it all up until it’s fully combined. Now here’s the part where we sneak in the veggies. Stir in 1-1/2 cups of shredded zucchini. Make sure you mix it up good and hide it in that batter. Especially if you have any picky nephew taste testers! Hee heeee!!

Frosted Zucchini Cupcakes by Happylifeblogspot.com #zucchinirecipes #zucchinicupcakes #spicecupcakes #fallrecipes #zucchini

Place paper cupcake liners into a muffin pan. Fill each cupcake liner 2/3 of the way full with batter. Boop. Boop. Booop! BOOP!! It helps if you make the noise. No really it does! Wipe away any excess spillage so it doesn’t stick to the muffin pan. You guys really didn’t think I was this neat did you?!?! Pffffftttttt!!!

Frosted Zucchini Cupcakes by Happylifeblogspot.com #zucchinirecipes #zucchinicupcakes #spicecupcakes #fallrecipes #zucchini

Bake in a 350 degree preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. I always check it at 20. You can always bake it for a longer amount of time, but you can’t reverse over baked cupcakes. Ya feel me? Cool in the muffin pan for eh…..about 10 minutes.

Frosted Zucchini Cupcakes by Happylifeblogspot.com #zucchinirecipes #zucchinicupcakes #spicecupcakes #fallrecipes #zucchini

While the cupcakes are baking (or cooling) we can whip up some of that delish frosting I was telling you about earlier. You know the one where you’re gonna wanna lick the spoon! In a small sauce pan, combine the brown sugar, milk, and butter. Cook over medium heat to melt the butter. Bring it to a boil and continue to cook, stirring constantly, for 2 minutes, or until slightly thickened.

Frosted Zucchini Cupcakes by Happylifeblogspot.com #zucchinirecipes #zucchinicupcakes #spicecupcakes #fallrecipes #zucchini

Next remove the mixture from the heat and stir in the vanilla. Cool to a lukewarm, room temperature-ish type of thing. I’d even encourage you to toss it in the fridge to speed up the process!

Frosted Zucchini Cupcakes by Happylifeblogspot.com #zucchinirecipes #zucchinicupcakes #spicecupcakes #fallrecipes #zucchini

Gradually mix in the powdered sugar in 1/2 cup increments. My whisk attachment got rid of all the bumps. Ain’t nobody got time to sift confectioners sugar. At least not this girl! Slather up those cooled cupcakes with a big ole heap of frosting. I mean these cupcakes are totally fine naked but how could you not dress them up with a nice coat of melt in your mouth, already making me drool, caramel frosting???

Frosted Zucchini Cupcakes by Happylifeblogspot.com #zucchinirecipes #zucchinicupcakes #spicecupcakes #fallrecipes #zucchini

And….prepare to be dazzled by that first bite!! I mean that is…if you haven’t licked your fingers already. Zucchini has never tasted so sinfully good!!

Frosted Zucchini Cupcakes by Happylifeblogspot.com #zucchinirecipes #zucchinicupcakes #spicecupcakes #fallrecipes #zucchini

Frosted Zucchini Cupcakes

September 18, 2018
: 18 cupcakes
: Medium

By:

Ingredients
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1-1/3 cups sugar
  • 1/2 cup canola oil
  • 1/2 cup orange juice
  • 1 teaspoon almond extract
  • 2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1-1/2 cups shredded zucchini
  • FROSTING:
  • 1 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup butter, cubed
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 cups confectioners' sugar
Directions
  • Step 1 In a large bowl, beat the eggs, white sugar, canola oil, orange juice, and almond extract.
  • Step 2 In a separate bowl, add the dry ingredients (flour, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, salt and ground cloves). Whisk to combine.
  • Step 3 Gradually add the dry mix to the egg ingredients a cup at a time. Blend until fully combined. Stir in 1-1/2 cups of shredded zucchini and mix well.
  • Step 4 Place paper cupcake liners into a muffin pan. Fill each cupcake liner 2/3 of the way full with batter. Bake in a 350 degree preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. Cool in the muffin pan for 10 minutes.
  • Step 5 Meanwhile, In a small sauce pan, combine the brown sugar, milk, and butter. Cook over medium heat to melt the butter. Bring to a boil and continue to cook, stirring constantly, for 2 minutes, or until slightly thickened.
  • Step 6 Remove the mixture from the heat and stir in the vanilla. Cool to a lukewarm temperature. Gradually mix in the powdered sugar in 1/2 cup increments. Frost cooled cupcakes. Enjoy!

We’d love to hear from you! Leave us your comments and love down below!

Shop this recipe! 

Chewy M&M Cookies

Chewy M&M Cookies

Guys!!! I don’t like to brag but…..I found it!!! These Chewy M&M Cookies are THE HOLY GRAIL of cookies. They’re the best!! Like buttery soft, deliciously chewy, eat the whole dang batch kind of cookies. That’s if you can even get the cookie dough into […]

Best Ever Chocolate Chip Cookies

Best Ever Chocolate Chip Cookies

Cookies!!! (Did you hear the Cookie Monster voice? Nope! Just me? Ok!). Everyone needs a classic chocolate chip cookies recipe in their arsenal! After finding this one I’ve honestly never tried another. Really! It’s that good! Big, soft, chewy, chocolatey, baked to perfection cookies. And […]