Lemon-Cream Cheese Cupcakes

cookiedog's Note:

These have a light lemon flavor. This really makes a lot of frosting so you may want to cut the frosting recipe in half. On the other hand, the frosting is so good, you might want to use the extra frosting as a dip for fruit. From Kraft.

• Total Time: 1 hrs 10 mins
• Prep Time: 10 mins
• Cook Time: 1 hrs

Ingredients:

Yield: 24 cupcakes

• 18 1/4 ounces white cake mix (1 box)
• 3 1/2 ounces lemon flavor instant pudding and pie filling (4 serving size)
• 1 cup water
• 4 egg whites
• 2 tablespoons oil
• 1 (16 ounce) package powdered sugar
• 1 (8 ounce) package Philadelphia Cream Cheese, softened
• 1/4 cup butter, softened
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon grated lemon peel (optional)

Directions:

1. PREHEAT oven to 350ºF. Beat cake mix, dry pudding mix, water, egg whites and oil in large bowl with electric mixer on low speed until moistened. (Batter will be thick.) Beat on medium speed 2 minute Spoon batter evenly into 24 paper-lined 2-1/2-inch muffin cups. Make sure to fill them pretty high because the cupcakes do not rise much.
2. BAKE 21 to 24 minute or until wooden toothpick inserted in centers comes out clean. Cool in pans 10 min.; remove to wire racks. Cool completely.
3. MEANWHILE, beat sugar, cream cheese, butter and juice (and lemon zest if using) with electric mixer on low speed until well blended. Frost cupcakes.

Reviews

[Chef #781391]

I only tried the frosting recipe on another lemon cake - and it was TO DIE FOR! Next time I'll try this cake recipe too...

[Chef #696786]

These were delightful! I made them in mini cupcake form for a dinner party and they were a hit. Delicate lemon flavor, grown up cupcakes. So tasty!