Tender Lemon Cupcakes filled with a delicious creamy blackberry filling and topped with cream cheese frosting. The whole thing is decorated with a candy heart. They make an impressive display for any occasion.
You know how people say they are dog people or cat people, and you rarely have bipartisan pet people? Well, I think the same goes for cake or pie. I’ve probably eaten my body weight in pies and cakes over the years, but consider myself more of a pie person than a cake person. I think the reason for that is some cakes are dry and have just an o.k. flavor. That was until these Lemon Cupcakes with Blackberry Filling!
Over Halloween, our neighbors were having a bonfire after the kiddos finished trick or treating. I wanted to make something that both kids and adults would like, and be easy to eat. I made some little Bundlettes last Christmas that were delicious, so thought about making those into cupcakes. They are made using a cake mix, and quick and easy was what I was looking for. I wasn’t quite in the chocolate mood (a rarity), so decided on lemon. We love lemon with a raspberry filling. Who wouldn’t like that?
Long story short, I couldn’t find the ingredients for the raspberry filling, so thought I’d experiment with blackberry. These cupcakes are so moist, and the blackberry flavor really comes through in the creamy filling. Doesn’t the lavender color of the filling make a pretty contrast to the lemon cake? I frosted each one with cream cheese icing and topped them with a lavender heart.
Don’t have time to make them now? Pin it for later!
Lemon Cupcakes with Blackberry Filling
Ingredients
Cake
- 1 lemon cake mix
- 1 instant lemon pudding
- 1 cup sour cream
- 4 large eggs room temperature
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
Filling
- 6 oz unsalted butter 1-1/2 sticks, softened to room temperature
- 1/2 cup seedless blackberry jelly I use Polaner all fruit blackberry spread
- 1 cup powdered sugar
Cream Cheese Icing
- 16 oz cream cheese softened to room temperature
- 12 tbsp unsalted butter softened to room temperature
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1-1/2 lbs powdered sugar sifted
Candy Hearts
- White Candy melts
- Purple food coloring
- Decorator sugar
- Paper heart template optional
Instructions
Candy Hearts
- Fill a pastry bag 2/3 full with candy melts and a drop of food coloring. Melt candy melts in the microwave for 15-second intervals, squeezing to mix after each interval. If using, place the heart template under a piece of wax paper, pipe hearts. Sprinkle immediately with sugar and allow it to set.
Cake
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Prep a cupcake pan with grease or cupcake liners.
- Combine all of the ingredients together and mix until just combined. Fill 2/3 full.
- Bake for 30 to 35 minutes turning halfway through baking. Allow to cool completely on a cooling rack. The cake is best if you cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight before filling, frosting and serving.
Filling
- Place butter in the bowl of an electric stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Beat on medium-high until creamy (3 to 5 minutes). Add fruit spread and beat until combined. Turn the mixer down to low and add the confectioners' sugar.
Cream Cheese Frosting
- In the bowl of an electric mixer, fitted with a paddle attachment, blend the cream cheese, butter, and vanilla extract together until smooth. Add the confectioners' sugar and beat until smooth.
Assembly
- Remove a plug of cake from the top of the cupcakes using a cupcake corer or apple corer. Fill a pastry bag with the blackberry filling. Snip the end of the bag with scissors and gently squeeze filling into each cupcake. If you don't have a corer, you can top the pastry bag with a medium size decorating tip. Insert the tip through the bottom of the cupcake liner and squeeze to fill. Don't overfill or you will bust your cupcake.
- Fill a pastry bag that has been fitted with a large icing tip. Starting from the outer edge, squeeze frosting in a circular motion. Ease up on pressure and pull up to get point.
- Top with candy heart or other embellishments if desired.
Notes
Nutrition
Heavens people! I’ve made these cupcakes twice now, and they are converting me into a cake person. I’ve made them into cupcakes and the little Bundtlettes. Cupcakes or Bundtlettes wouldn’t they be just perfect for a wedding shower, birthday or about any occasion? They are already becoming a regular in my house.
Here are a few more recipes that are convincing me that I’m a cake person!
Super Special Spice Cake with Peanut Butter Frosting
Raspberry Chocolate Pound Cake
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Mike says
Blackberries are one of my favorite flavors. It goes great with cakes.
Rachel says
These sound absolutely wonderful! I must keep these in mind for spring time 🙂
Julie Menghini says
Thanks Rachel. I do love this combo. It would be great for spring.
swayam says
These are incredible Julie! You are the cupcake boss! I still dream of those minion ones 🙂 Thanks for joining us at #SaucySaturdays. You always bring such great food!
PS: you have been featured in last week’s party! Go on, check it out and feel free to brag to your friends 🙂
Julie Menghini says
Thank you! You are so sweet for such kind comments.
Christine | Mid-Life Croissant says
Yes! Totally perfect for a wedding or baby shower. They’re beautiful. I’m a pie person too but these flavors are so adult I know these would totally work for me. Thanks for linking up at #SaucySaturdays.
Julie Menghini says
Thank you Christine!
carolinescookingblog says
These are adorable, love the little hearts. Sound tasty too.
Julie Menghini says
Thank you Caroline!
Suchitra says
These cupcakes are so pretty!!! I am sure they taste delicious too! Saving the recipe!
Julie Menghini says
Thank you! They would be fun to make for the kiddos.
sarahgiebens says
Such gorgeous cupcakes!
Julie Menghini says
Thank you Sarah! Easy and delicious.
Shari says
These look so moist, and I love the flavor combination. What a cute way to decorate them, too, with the purple heart. Your neighbors are very fortunate! Pinning!
Julie Menghini says
We are lucky that we have such great neighbors too. Their little ones are getting big but still love hanging out a bit. We really enjoy them too.
Loretta says
Wow-weeeee, I want one of those right now, even though I’ve indulged and been bad over Thanksgiving. Those 2 flavors go so well together, love the surprise centers and gorgeous colors Very clever! Don’t even think of moving or downsizing, your neighbors would not like it :)).
Julie Menghini says
These cupcakes are so light and moist. I know that they aren’t timely for the season, but in addition to sharing them with the neighbors, I baked them as a part of a charity basket I put together.
tentimestea says
A cake convert! (I think I am absolutely a cake person…though I would never turn down a pie 🙂 ) Lemon and blackberry sound like the perfect combination of fruit, and the colours are really very lovely!
Julie Menghini says
Thank you so much! This cake was yummy indeed.
cookingwithauntjuju.com says
Lemon and blackberry – that’s a beautiful pairing (flavor and color) and I bet they were delicious, especially since you have made them twice.
Julie Menghini says
Thank you Judi! Easy and delicious. Enjoy the rest of your weekend!
Sarah says
You’ve just combined two of my favorite flavors and turned them into cupcakes! These look so fantastic – love the blackberry filling mixed with the lemon frosting – LOVE!
Julie Menghini says
Thank you so much Sarah! They were delicious and easy!
glamorous glutton says
These are so beautiful and such fab photos too. I’m definitely a dog person, but a food and dog person. GG
Julie Menghini says
Thank you! We are both dog foodies!
Arl's World says
So pretty and they sound delicious Julie!
Julie Menghini says
Thank you Arl! Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Dawn says
Mmmmmm! They sound just delicious… and look so pretty, Jule! Such a high compliment… coming from a Cookie person, like me! 🙂 Sending Thanksgiving hugs from our house to yours, Julie! ♡
Julie Menghini says
Dawn you have made my day. Such wonderful kind comments. I am truly thankful that we have become blogging friends! Thanksgiving hugs to you and your family too!❤︎
Kavey says
Love the idea of your flavour combinations but also the gorgeous presentation, those purple hearts are adorable!
Julie Menghini says
Thank you so much. They are very light, moist and pretty. Probably more spring or summer colors, but the lemon went nicely with the blackberry. I appreciate your stopping by!
Celebrating Sunshine says
Your cupcakes look absolutely beautiful! Love the raspberry filling. 🙂
Julie Menghini says
Thank you Ana! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving with your family!
Celebrating Sunshine says
Thank you, Julie! Same to you! 🙂
Lynz Real Cooking says
Gorgeous! these are just all the way around amazing Julie! yummm
Julie Menghini says
Thank you Lynz! They are really tasty and very moist!
Lynz Real Cooking says
They are so beautiful and I feel i can taste them! A wonderful and moist little cake!!!
Julie Menghini says
Thank you Lynz!
Lynz Real Cooking says
🙂
Liz says
I’ve probably eaten ten times my body weight or more. I prefer the Bundtlettes, they look extra special!
Julie Menghini says
Thank you Liz! I thought those little bundtlettes were adorable too!
Liz says
Very adorable, indeed!
Julie Menghini says
Thank you Liz!
Anna says
These look and sound wonderful, Julie!! Oh how I wish I could taste them — will definitely have to make them! I love the idea of combining lemon with blackberry, and love the heart decor on top!! 🙂
Julie Menghini says
Thank you Anna! Any time that I use fondant or these candy decorations I make a few extra. Then if my little neighbor people are here to help they can go crazy with their own works of art.
Anna says
That’s such a great idea, Julie! How fun!
simplyvegetarian777 says
So pretty Julie!
You must write a book on baked desserts!!
Julie Menghini says
Thank you Sonal! If you could only see my disaster today, you would tell me to please cease all baking attempts! Of course they only happen when you have a million other things to do. You are so sweet Sonal and I really appreciate your support.
simplyvegetarian777 says
Julie
I appreciate your support as well!
You are one of the few fellow blogger friends whom I always find around me and that makes me immensely happy!
Julie Menghini says
Ditto Sonal! It seems like bloggers go there separate ways after a while. I understand it but it’s kind of sad too. I love maintaining some of those relationships. They are very special!
simplyvegetarian777 says
Absolutely ❤️
Lina says
Omg! I am totally in love with these!!!! Amazing Julie! I am so sorry! I have missed a lot of ur posts on the reader!
Julie Menghini says
Thank you Lina! No worries my friend, I’ve noticed a lot of people have been absent but are getting back into the swing of things!
Lina says
Haha! Yes!!
Linda says
They do look luscious! And the color of the light purple between layers of smooth mellow yellow is lovely! Bet they tasted so good! 🙂
(can you send some my way?!)
Julie Menghini says
Thank you Linda! I sure wish there was to share that easily!
Dad Whats 4 Dinner says
Very nice looking cupcakes. When you pipe yummy filling into the cupcakes I might become a cake person too. :))
Julie Menghini says
Thank you! I’m sure you’ll be baking these up for the kiddos in no time!
Johanne Lamarche says
Oooooh swooning over here!
Julie Menghini says
Thank you Johanne!
ameasuredlife4 says
these are BEAUTIFUL! Well done! (I, myself, am a cake person. 😉 )
Julie Menghini says
Love it! I think I am actually just a FOOD person! 🙂