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    Home » Recipes » Desserts

    Vegan Lemon Cupcakes Recipe (Easy & Fluffy)

    Published: Mar 12, 2023 · Modified: Aug 24, 2023 by Gaby Dimova · This post may contain affiliate links · 6 Comments

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    Lemon desserts are always a popular choice, no matter the time of year. This vegan lemon cupcakes recipe is a perfect balance of sweet and tangy, with a bright citrus flavor. It's perfect for any occasion, from a baby shower to Mother's Day. I made these for my friend's baby shower a few weeks ago, and everyone loved them!

    These cupcakes are sure to be a hit with vegans and non-vegans alike. They're light, fluffy, and bursting with lemon flavor. Plus, the frosting adds the perfect amount of sweetness to complement the tangy lemon flavor of the cupcakes. Give this recipe a try and let me know what you think in the comments!

    vegan lemon cupcakes on a cake stand

    What you will need to make this vegan lemon cupcakes recipe

    Dry Ingredients

    • all-purpose flour: see notes on flour below for other flour options.
    • granulated white sugar: I like using white caster sugar because it's light in color and it keeps the cupcakes vibrant and yellow. However, you can also coconut sugar, which is brown, or organic cane sugar, which is just a little bit darker than white sugar. Just keep in mind the color of the cupcakes will not be the same as in the photos if you do.
    • baking powder & baking soda: you will need both for this recipe.
    • pinch of sea salt

    Wet Ingredients

    • plant-based milk: I like using almond milk, soy milk, or oat milk, but any dairy-free milk will work.
    • vegan yogurt
    • olive oil: coconut oil or vegetable oil will also work, but the olive oil gives this recipe a fluffy and moist texture and a beautiful light golden color.
    • vanilla extract
    • lemon juice & lemon zest: from a fresh lemon. This recipe will not taste the same if you use lemon extract instead of fresh lemon.

    Frosting Ingredients

    • powdered sugar
    • vegan butter / vegan margarine
    • vegan cream cheese
    • lemon zest
    • vanilla
    ingredients for vegan lemon cupcakes

    What flour to use in these delicious cupcakes

    White all purpose flour works best for this recipe because it makes for a light and fluffy texture in the cupcakes. Because it is light in color, it also allows the cupcakes to take on the golden yellow color of the lemon and olive oil.

    If you wanted more fiber in your cupcakes, you can also use white whole wheat flour instead of plain all purpose flour.

    If you wanted to make gluten-free lemon cupcakes, you can use a 1:1 gluten free baking flour like this one from Bob's Red Mill or this one from King Arthur Baking.

    I have not tried making this recipe for oat flour. I imagine that it would work, but the that the cupcakes will be less fluffy. This recipe will not work with almond flour.

    hand holding a vegan lemon cupcake

    Equipment needed

    • a large bowl
    • cooling rack
    • stand mixer or hand mixer: not completely necessary, but is super helpful in making the fluffiest and creamiest vegan cream cheese frosting.
    • a cupcake tin / cupcake pan
    • cupcake liners
    • piping bag
    • piping tip

    The full ingredient list along with the nutritional information is at the bottom of the post, in the recipe card.

    hand holding a vegan lemon cupcake sliced in half

    How to make the vegan cupcakes

    To start, preheat your oven to 350°F/ 175°C and line a muffin tin with cupcake liners.

    In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients: all-purpose flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

    In a separate bowl, combine the wet ingredients: plant milk, vegan yogurt, olive oil, vanilla extract, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Whisk until fully combined.

    Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix until a smooth lemon cupcake batter forms.

    adding flour to vegan lemon cupcake batter
    whisking together batter for vegan lemon cupcakes

    Using an ice cream scoop or measuring cup, fill each cupcake mold about three-quarters of the way full. I made 15 cupcakes with this recipe.

    Bake for 18-20 minutes or until the cupcakes are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center of the cupcake comes out clean. I baked mine for exactly 20 minutes.

    pouring batter for vegan lemon cupcakes
    vegan lemon cupcake batter in muffin cups
    vegan lemon cupcake without frosting

    Let the cupcakes cool on a wire rack while you prepare the vegan lemon buttercream frosting.

    In the bowl of a stand mixer, cream together the room temperature butter and vegan cream cheese until fluffy.

    Gradually add in powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and lemon zest. Mix until smooth and creamy.

    Using a piping bag or knife, frost the top of the cupcakes with the vegan lemon buttercream frosting.

    making vegan lemon buttercream in a stand mixer
    piping icing on top of a vegan lemon cupcake

    Adding a lemon curd filling

    For a little extra lemon flavor, you can add a dollop of lemon curd to the center of the cupcakes.

    To do this, first, bake the cupcakes. Then using a small knife or spoon, cut out a small hole in the center of each cooled cupcake. Spoon a small amount of lemon curd into each hole, filling it about ¾ of the way full.

    Then frost each cupcake with the lemon frosting as you normally would.

    You can make your own vegan lemon curd, or you can use a store-bought lemon curd.

    How to store the delicious vegan lemon cupcakes

    Store these fluffy vegan lemon cupcakes in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days.

    For more vegan cupcake recipes, try these

    • vegan vanilla cupcakes
    • gingerbread cupcakes
    • pumpkin cupcakes

    If you like lemon recipes, try these others

    • lemon cake
    • lemon garlic pasta
    • Another delicious spring treat that is great to serve at parties and get togethers is this vegan lemon bar recipe. It's also gluten free, so it's great if anyone has any specific dietary needs.
    vegan lemon cupcake on a plate

    Vegan Lemon Cupcakes Recipe

    Gaby Dimova
    Indulge in these tangy, sweet, and fluffy vegan lemon cupcakes made with vegan lemon buttercream frosting.
    5 from 19 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 30 minutes mins
    Cook Time 20 minutes mins
    Total Time 50 minutes mins
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Servings 15 cupcakes
    Calories 268 kcal

    Equipment

    • large bowl
    • stand mixer or electric hand mixer
    • cupcake tin
    • cupcake liners
    • piping bag
    • piping tip

    Ingredients
      

    Dry Ingredients

    • 2 cups all-purpose flour 240 grams
    • 1 cup granulated white sugar
    • 2 teaspoons baking powder
    • ½ teaspoon baking soda
    • ½ teaspoon salt

    Wet Ingredients

    • 1 cup dairy-free milk
    • ½ cup vegan yogurt
    • ½ cup olive oil
    • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
    • 2 tablespoons lemon juice 25 grams
    • 1 tablespoon lemon zest 4 grams

    Frosting Ingredients

    • 3 cups powdered sugar 390 grams
    • ½ cup vegan butter
    • ¼ cup vegan cream cheese
    • 2 teaspoon lemon zest
    • ½ teaspoon vanilla

    Instructions
     

    • To start, preheat your oven to 350°F/ 175°C and line a muffin tin with cupcake liners.
    • In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients: all-purpose flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
    • In a separate bowl, combine the wet ingredients: plant milk, vegan yogurt, olive oil, vanilla extract, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Whisk until fully combined.
    • Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix until a smooth lemon cupcake batter forms.
    • Using an ice cream scoop or measuring cup, fill each cupcake case about three-quarters of the way full. I made 15 cupcakes with this recipe.
    • Bake for 18-20 minutes or until the cupcakes are golden and a toothpick inserted into the center of the cupcake comes out clean. I baked mine for exactly 20 minutes, but your oven might be different.
    • Let the cupcakes cool on a wire rack while you prepare the vegan lemon buttercream frosting.
    • In the bowl of a stand mixer, cream together the room temperature butter and vegan cream cheese until fluffy.
    • Gradually add in powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and fresh lemon juice. Mix until smooth and creamy.
    • Using a piping bag or knife, frost the top of the cupcakes with the vegan lemon buttercream frosting.
    • Add in a lemon wedge for decor and dig in!

    Video

    Nutrition

    Calories: 268kcalCarbohydrates: 41gProtein: 2gFat: 11gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0.03gSodium: 192mgPotassium: 37mgFiber: 1gSugar: 30gVitamin A: 276IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 55mgIron: 1mg
    Keyword vegan lemon cupcakes
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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    Comments

      5 from 19 votes (16 ratings without comment)

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    1. Asmaa

      April 30, 2023 at 12:41 pm

      5 stars
      Comes delicious and moist, I added poppy seeds to it and it’s perfection!

      Reply
      • Gaby Dimova

        May 31, 2023 at 8:00 pm

        Poppy seeds are such a great addition!! I'm so glad you liked the recipe 🙂

        Reply
    2. D

      May 18, 2024 at 8:40 am

      5 stars
      Omg these are really good! I subbed cake flour and they came out perfect, so light and fluffy. Made 18 cupcakes. Best vegan cupcakes I have made yet!!

      Reply
      • Gaby Dimova

        June 17, 2024 at 2:22 pm

        Yay this makes me so happy!! 🥰 Subbing cake flour sounds amazing for making them even more light and fluffy!

        Reply
    3. Lilly

      June 19, 2024 at 4:28 pm

      5 stars
      these were perfect!! i don’t like cream cheese so i think next time i will make just lemon butter cream.

      Reply
      • Gaby Dimova

        December 26, 2024 at 2:44 pm

        so happy you liked them!! 🙂

        Reply

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    My name is Gaby and I'm the face behind Veggie World Recipes! On my site, you will find recipes that are vegan and made with a healthy twist. My goal is to make plant-based cooking accessible, fun, and always delicious!

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