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Lemon blueberry cupcakes topped with swirled cream frosting, fresh blueberries, and lemon zest sprinkles on a white serving tray.

Moist Lemon Blueberry Cupcakes Easy Summer Dessert - Bright, Fresh, and Foolproof

Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 12 Cupcakes

Ingredients
  

  • All-purpose flour (plus a spoonful to toss with berries)
  • Granulated sugar
  • Baking powder
  • Fine sea salt
  • Unsalted butter (melted and slightly cooled)
  • Neutral oil (like canola or vegetable)
  • Large eggs
  • Sour cream (or plain Greek yogurt)
  • Whole milk (or 2%)
  • Fresh lemons (zest and juice)
  • Vanilla extract
  • Fresh blueberries (or frozen, unthawed)
  • Powdered sugar (if making glaze or frosting)
  • Cream cheese (for frosting, optional)
  • Butter (for frosting, optional)

Instructions
 

  • Preheat and prep: Heat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners. Lightly mist the liners with nonstick spray to prevent sticking.
  • Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, 1 cup sugar, 2 teaspoons baking powder, and 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt until combined.
  • Whisk wet ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk 1/4 cup melted unsalted butter, 1/4 cup neutral oil, 2 large eggs, 1/2 cup sour cream, 1/3 cup milk, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 1 tablespoon lemon zest, and 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice.
  • Combine gently: Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients. Stir with a spatula until just combined. The batter will be thick—avoid overmixing.
  • Prep the berries: Toss 1 cup blueberries with 1 tablespoon flour to coat. Fold them into the batter gently so they’re evenly distributed.
  • Fill the liners: Divide the batter among the liners, filling each about 3/4 full. For taller domes, rest the filled pan for 5–7 minutes before baking.
  • Bake: Bake for 18–22 minutes, until the tops are set and springy and a toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs. Avoid overbaking.
  • Cool: Let the cupcakes cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting or glazing.
  • Optional lemon glaze: Whisk 1 cup powdered sugar with 1–2 tablespoons lemon juice until smooth. Drizzle over cooled cupcakes.
  • Optional lemon cream cheese frosting: Beat 4 ounces cream cheese (softened), 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (softened), 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar, 1 teaspoon lemon zest, and 1–2 teaspoons lemon juice until creamy. Spread or pipe on cooled cupcakes.