Glazed lemon Cakes … just like Spring is here!
The weather has changed, Spring is in the air. Pretty flowers everywhere, & even though the daytime highs are much higher than normal, the mornings & evenings are just beautiful. There is frenzied activity of birds building nests, butterflies buzzing around… & in the last frame, goatherds coming in from Rajasthan to allow their sheep to graze here.
These inspired cupcakes made me feel like Spring. I got a lovely comment from a blogger the other day. Everything about her comment made me feel so good. A bit from it …” I enjoy Indian food and am so lost since my dear friend moved away. She was a wonderful and talented cook. I never knew food could center the universe in such splendor until I entered her kitchen. She would grind her own spices and cook for hours. I treasure all the memories and today you have evoked them, once again.”
Even her blogs name makes me happy. It’s ‘Coffeegrounded’, & the blog is beautiful. I wandered around her spot on the next day for quite a while, & within the next hour made these fresh & moist Glazed Lemon Cupcakes. 
I tried to leave a comment back at her blog, but couldn’t because my wordpress login doesn’t seem to work for some reason. Couldn’t find an e-mail contact there either.
If you are reading this post dear girl, please know that your words made my day, & these gorgeous glazed cupcakes were worth every word of praise that you gave them. I have made a second batch too for my daughter who was bringing a whole bunch of friends home from school. 
It was our anniversary yesterday. Gosh, can’t believe it’s been 14 years. Time has certainly flown by. Life has never been so good, & I’m a happy & satisfied soul. Of course I crib & whinge, but that’s just part of my happiness. 
The daughter made us a very pretty card & got us a bunch of lovely magnets that say ‘I LOV U’. The son made his card in advance & left it with his sis as he wasn’t going to be here. We didn’t do much yesterday since our little fellow was out on his first outstation school trip. He came back very late last night, bubbling with excitement, with small gifts for all of us with the little money they had been allowed to carry. 
The ‘P’ pendant on a chain for his papa, & a pair of earrings for me. They were allowed to carry just a small amount of money as it was their first trip, & the poor mite said that his money got over by the time he reached the toy shop. I made these cupcakes for him to take with him on the trip.The blossoms are from the ‘currypatta‘ tree which is in bloom these days! The cupcakes looked like Spring & Easter when they were done, & it was real fun glazing them. I added some dried black raisins to the batter. 
GLAZED LEMON CUPCAKES
‘This recipe comes from the Martha Stewart website. A wonderfully moist and tender item, she offers them up as, Glazed Lemon Cakes. If you are looking for a reminder of the infamous diner lemon cakes of old, this is your item.‘ …as quoted from Coffeegrounded
Ingredients:
1/2 cup unsalted butter (room temp)
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup low-fat buttermilk (room temp)
1 teaspoon vanilla
Zest of one lemon, finely grated, plus juice, plus 2 tablespoons more lemon juice for the glaze
1 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs (room temp)
1 1/2 cups confectioners sugar ( I used powdered sugar)
1/2 cup dried black raisins (not in original recipe)
Method:
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a 12 muffin tray or a 6-cup jumbo muffin tin. Coffeegrounded used pretty small Panettone papers, & her pictures are very beautiful too.
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Whisk the flour with the baking powder and salt. In a small bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, vanilla, lemon juice and zest. I added lemon essence too.
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Beat butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Turn mixer to low speed and add flour in three batches, alternating with two additions of the buttermilk mixture. Add dried berries if using .
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Divide the batter amongst muffin tin/cupcake papers. Bake in preheated oven for approximately 20 to 25 minutes.
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Cool completely on a rack before frosting.
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In a small bowl, stir confectioners sugar with remaining lemon juice until smooth, & thick. Drizzle or pour over cakes. Add sprinkles garnishes immediately, if using. Allow to set for 30 minutes before serving/storing. This time allotment allows the icing to set firmly, but it’s really not necessary. These really are finger-licking wonderful! Go ahead and enjoy.
I also had added joy (& much excitement) yesterday when I got this not-light-at-all parcel from Nic all the way from the U.K. Returned home after a lunch out with the hub, to find that the old postman had chucked this over the gate while we were away. The Cherrapeno lady had said she was sending me something as light-as-a-cloud & pestered me for my address…till I eventually relented. I got this lovely assortment from her…
…take a look! Cherries, berries, dried cranberries, craisins, dried winter fruit, chipotle paste, chili jam, Bailey’s truffle chocolate bar (Nic’s current fave & deliciously so; I had a good nibble, so I know), strawberries in white chocolate…. It was a virtual Indian monsoon cloudburst. Thank you dear Nic. You really made my day!!
Deeba @ PAB
About me: I am a freelance food writer, recipe developer and photographer. Food is my passion - baking, cooking, developing recipes, making recipes healthier, using fresh seasonal produce and local products, keeping a check on my carbon footprint and being a responsible foodie! I enjoy food styling, food photography, recipe development and product reviews. I express this through my food photographs which I style and the recipes I blog. My strength lies in 'Doing Food From Scratch'; it must taste as good as it looks, and be healthy too. Baking in India, often my biggest challenge is the non-availability of baking ingredients, and this has now become a platform to get creative on. I enjoy cooking immensely as well.
43 Comments
Rachel
Deeba that was a very lovely post and I enjoyed it more because I love citrus….
Linda
What a beautiful post today. And the photos make me want to reach in for a cupcake! I have to make these and I hope they turn out as lovely as yours.
Happy cook
Looks so delicious, i can taste the leamony tadte by just loking to the pic.
Enjoy the goodies.
Happy anniversery.
Gloria
Dear Deeba all look delicious and your blog is beautiful I love lemon too!!!!xxxGloria
Purnima
Deeba, HAPPY ANNIVERSARY! 14!Ooh..we r just halfway frm u 😀
What a torture..u r just too perfect in pics, garnish ooh..am here n two posts already! Loved the cc! How sweet of Rohan, his gifts are so very cute! Hope the lady reads this post, she wd b touched! Congrats on the cloud-weight goodies! U truly deserve them..(Ahem..err..can u copy paste the address given to her-to my mail? :))
Nicisme
Mmmmm… it’s a gorgeous day here too, I think you are right about spring being in the air!
The cakes look dreamy, and how sweet that your kids made those gifts – very artistic.
Glad you liked the parcel, enjoy the goodies – but uh oh! I forgot to put something in, lol.
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!
meeso
Happy Anniversary! The cards are adorable and so sweet!!! Also, the cupcakes are so perfect for spring, and they looks so pretty and cute!
Soma
What a sweet bearutiful post Deeba. Loved reading thru it.
Happy Anniversary! Those were really cute cards & gifts!
& Those cupcakes are sweet with fresh flavors! Welcome spring!
Snooky doodle
how cute these cupcakes are 🙂 They must smell awesome, Hope you had a nice Anniversary. It’s always a pleasure reading your posts they re so emotional 🙂
Dawn
those photos are just so pretty…reminds me of sunny spring. hope you had a nice anniversary.
Mary
Deeba these cupcakes are so fantastic , happy anniversary !
Helene
Happy Anniversary!
I would have loved to share those cupcakes with you on that beautiful day.
Hanaâ
Deeba, happy anniversary!!! I can’t believe this. It was my wedding anniversary yesterday too (our 10th) :o)
I love pretty much anything lemon so I can’t wait to try these!
Take care,
Hanaa
Jennifer
Happy Anniversary!!! Those cupcakes are stunning!!!
Arwen from Hoglet K
I love your photos of spring. Beautiful flowers and butterflies.
Reeni♥
Happy Anniversary! What a wonderful package of goodies! The cupcakes are lovely, refreshing and truly a pretty and delicious reminder that Spring is so close by.
Clumbsy Cookie
Debba those cupcakes do have spring written all over them!
Carson
Those cupcakes do look like spring! The composition of your photographs is lovely – the pink cupcake wrapper, yellow lemons, and green sprigs really get the essence of spring.
Tangled Noodle
Happy Anniversary! These cupcake photos and all the other pictures are so lovely. But they make me impatient for spring which, right now, feels so far away! Enjoy your goodies!
Ginny
I never would have thought of adding raisins to this recipe. What a neat idea! And I’m so glad to have found your blog. We enjoy indian food and have been looking for new recipes.
Lisa
Your cupcakes are so pretty and your photos breathe spring. The sunshiny colors are inspiring though our forecast calls for snow tomorrow!
Lorraine @NotQuiteNigella
Citrus cakes are amongst my favourite and this looks oh so Spring, especially with the lovely way you’ve styled it. Wow, that an amazing present!
Alskamom
Happy Anniversary, Deeba!
What a lovely blog post. I wish it was more spring-like here, but just when I think it’s going to happen – it snows again. 🙁
I love the cupcakes! They are very beautiful.
Bharti
Such a happy post…Happy Anniversary to you and the husband..wish you many many years of bliss. God bless. The presents and cards. flowers, cupcakes..everything is just so pretty!
noble pig
Happy Anniversary! You are such a good wife and mother, so obvious in your words. Such beautiful cupcakes for a beautiful family!
Zita
Deebe, you are really a treasure 🙂
Congrat’s and what a beautiful cupcakes… adore the paper cups, so cute 😉
Aparna
Those cupcakes look gorgeous, hinting at the approaching summer.:)
A very Happy Anniversary to you and looks like the gift arrived by post just in time.:)
vegeyum
Wow these cakes look so tempting. A beautiful beautiful post.
Komal-Nishka
Deeba, Happy Belated Anniversary.. you kids are so cute. My heart goes out to your son for his gesture as sons are not known to do all this.. 😉
I hope you had a nice day..
diva
happy anniversary darling! 🙂 your pictures make me feel so blissful 🙂 love the sweets, love the cupcakes…LOVE LOVE! xxx
PG
Happy Anniversary to you! the cupcakes look so colurful, yes they are giving me the feel of spring too. Beautiful pictures! It’s time for spring to arrive here too.
Hayley
What a wonderful story you shared. Your pictures are amazing, I just love how you decorate. Thanks for sharing!
Burp and Slurp~!
I love, love , LOVE all these gorgeous spring pictures…the pastel colors…the brightness and optimism and romance of spring! and lemon cupcakes! what a lovely way to welcome spring…
Nadia
wow, what a lovely post…and i love the photography.Your pictures make me want to try out the recipes. Thats what should a food blog do.
Excellent, keep up the good work
nadia
Elra
Deeba my dear, HAPPY HAPPY Anniversary dear. May you both have a long happy life together, so you can watch you kids, grand kid, even great grand kids grow (how’s that sounds)?
And of course, those cupies look so fun to make, and those flowers, ahhhh Debaa. I’ll die if I don’t have flowers around me, because I grew up using lots lots of flower for offering (you know how Hindus are).
All the best,
elra
Ivy
My best wishes for your Wedding Anniversary and may you grow old together to see your children as you wish. The cupcakes look gorgeous.
coffeegrounded
Dear sweet, Deeba, here I am, CoffeeGrounded. I am speechless, well, but at least I can type. 😉 And I must, to let you know how much I appreciate your comments. I really can’t express what your words mean to me. For months I have visited your blog, sent others to view it, and have said to all that I know, “Isn’t her work, beautiful”!!!(Not a question, but an affirmation in all its glory.) 🙂
I feel blessed simply to enjoy your blog, but to be mentioned within it’s pages? Oh Sweet Lady, you have no idea how this makes my heart sing, and sing, it does!
Thank you, and bless you.
coffeegrounded
Deeba….my most important words were lost in my excitement:
Happy Anniversary…I’m so sorry I’m late in sending my wishes. In my heart, time stands still for dear sweet souls, you are no exception.
Proud Italian Cook
Deeba, Happy belated anniversary! I hope you had a wonderful day! Your kids cards are beautiful their talented and creative just like you! Just one look at those cupcakes and I think of spring!
Nachiketa
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY! [Belated though]
Rohan and his gifts are so totally adorable….
Mehar’s card was really nice… 🙂
♥Rosie♥
Oh Deeba this is one beautiful post!! Happy Belated Anniversary sweetie!
hose cupcakes are citrus heaven – yum!
Rosie x
shana
I recently came accross your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I dont know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.
Alanna
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Ruth E
I’m loving lemony things at the minute so I’m just wanting to reach into the screen and lift one of these little guys, they look fabulous!
Happy Anniversary!!!!