While researching lemon drop cupcakes I ran across an article online from Fox2 News about 19 pregnant women who have eaten lemon drop cupcakes at Cappellino’s Crazy Cakes in Charlottesville, Virginia and have gone into labor.

I cannot dispute this claim nor do I endorse lemon drop cupcakes for anything except pure hedonist pleasure. These lemony, moist cupcakes are fun to make and fun to give away. These are perfect for a springtime dessert. You can make perfect cupcakes from start to finish in about an hour.

Lemon drops are a lemon shaped candy made with real lemon juice. Lemon candies were popular during the beginning of the 19^th century. They were made using the same techniques as making lollipops; with sugar and water boiled to a hard crack stage.

Lemon drops are good for people who are having surgical procedures, have dry mouth or are in labor and cannot drink liquids. It is not east to find these lemon drops but they are worth the search. You can order them online at http://www.candyfavorites.com/lemon-drops-brachs.

Lemon Drop is also a lemony drink made with vodka, lemon juice and sugar. It is basically a lemon martini with sugar on the rim.

Limonchello is a favorite drink in Italy. My mother and I were visiting the island of Capri and discovered this lemony alcoholic beverage. It was sold everywhere we looked in Naples. They had little bottles and my favorite was Limonchello gelato. I found a recipe to make your own but it involves a good deal of time and preparation. It can be found in most liquor stores. See http://www.italylogue.com/food-drink/limoncello-recipe-in-pictures.html.

Ingredients Needed for Lemon Drop Cupcakes

• 1 box Betty Crocker Cake Mix
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• Lemon drop candies for decoration (Brachs Candy Company) you can also crush these and put on top of cupcakes
  See http://www.brachs.com/product_categories/candies.
• Cupcake baking papers
• Cupcake baking pan
• ½ cup fresh squeezed lemon juice or bottled lemon juice
• 2 containers of readymade frosting, 1 container will frost 12 cupcakes
• Spray food color (optional)
• 1/3 cup vegetable oil
• 3 large eggs

Step 1:

Assemble all ingredients. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Step 2:

Line the cupcake pan with the cupcake baking papers. Use paper or foil ones and NO need to grease them. Set pan aside.

Step 3:

Mix the cake mix as directed on the box. Put the cake mix in the bowl, then add the powdered sugar, the oil, the eggs, the water, and the lemon juice. Remove the lemon seeds with a fork. Whisk cake mix with a hand whisker or use an electric beater. Start out on slow speed for 30 seconds to moisten the ingredients. Whip for 2 minutes at a higher speed so you incorporate air into the cake mix. This air will make your cupcakes light and fluffy.

Add powdered sugar to cake mix

Add 3 large eggs

Fresh lemon juice above

Remove lemon seeds with a fork

Whip cake mix

Step 4:

Fill the cupcake baking cups half full. The cupcake batter will rise to the top of the cups while baking. Follow the box for baking directions. I always check the cupcakes at least 10 minutes before the recommended time on the box to make sure they are not burning.

Half fill cups and wipe excess from the pan

Step 5:

Remove cupcakes leaving the paper attached and let them cool. You can frost them after they cool. I used the readymade frosting with the decorating tips. The frosting comes in many flavors. You can add a lemon drop to each cupcake or yellow decorating sugar. I used a yellow spray food color.

Remove cupcakes from the pan

Cupcake icing and decorator tips

Frosted cupcakes

Enjoy your cupcakes. If you are a pregnant woman and these cupcakes cause you to go into labor send me an email or leave a comment on this site. 

I used the extra batter to make some unfrosted mini bundt cakes.

Unfrosted mini bundt cake, spray pan with these (these are not cupcakes)

Share lemon drop cupcakes with neighbors, friends or family

Remember to share some cupcakes and spread the Aloha Spirit where ever you live. Thanks for reading my column and being brave enough to try my creative recipes. Happy Springtime!