Oh So Lemony Cupcakes

Here are the cupcakes I made for my hubby's birthday.  He loves lemon and wanted lemon cupcakes with lemon icing...real icing, and lots of it.  I am actually not a lemon OR an icing person, but these turned out SO SCRUMPTIOUS!  The cake was a great lemon flavor and super moist, with a bit of lemon curd filling...perfect!  The lemon buttercream icing was not too sweet and provided a great balance of flavors.  I have made this same recipe as a cake before and it turns out beautifully as well....but my hubby wanted cupcakes, so cupcakes he had!

For the cake:

• 1 box lemon cake mix
• 1 box 3.4 ounce box instant lemon flavored pudding mix
• 1 1/2 cups 7-up
• 1 tsp lemon extract
• 4 eggs
• 3/4 cup vegetable oil

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In a large bowl, mix all ingredients until smooth.  Bake according to package directions for cupcakes or  cake you desire.
Allow to cool.

For Filling:
Purchased or homemade lemon curd.  I always use purchased, I have not had luck as of yet making my own lemon curd.
Fill a pastry bag fitted with a round decorating tip with lemon curd.  Insert decoraters tip into each cupcake and squeeze a small amount (about 1 tsp) of curd into each cupcake.  If making a 2-layer round cake, simply spread desired amount of lemon curd in between both layers.

For Icing:

• 1/2 cups shortening
• 1/2 cup butter
• 3 1/2 - 4 cups confectioners sugar, depending how sweet you like it and how stiff you need it to be
• 2 - 3 tsp clear imitation lemon extract
• 3 fluid ounces heavy cream
• zest of 1 lemon
• juice of 1/2 lemon

Cream shortening and butter until fluffy. Add lemon extract and cream. Beat until combined. Add confectioners' sugar, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Beat on high speed until frosting is fluffy.

This recipe is linked up at:
Frou Frou Decor
Nikki's Nifty Knacks
Tidy Mom
Simply Sweet Home
Eat at Home