The first warm Saturday of spring, Claire carried her book and a basket of lemons out to the porch. She’d been saving Melissa Tagg’s From the Start for a lazy afternoon, the kind where sunlight pours through the trees and every page feels like a promise of something good.
Halfway through the story, full of small-town charm and second chances, she paused to zest lemons for cupcakes. The kitchen filled with a scent as lively and hopeful as Tagg’s characters. By the time the hero finally confessed his heart, Claire was swirling cream cheese frosting over golden cakes that tasted like sunshine itself.
These cupcakes are a love letter to that feeling: bright, cheerful, and full of hope.
Recipe: Lemon Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting
Makes 12 cupcakes
Ingredients – Cupcakes
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp salt
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tbsp finely grated lemon zest (from about 2 lemons)
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- ½ cup whole milk
Ingredients – Frosting
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp fresh lemon juice
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners.
- In a bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time. Mix in lemon zest and lemon juice.
- Alternate adding dry ingredients and milk, starting and ending with the dry ingredients. Stir just until combined.
- Divide batter among liners. Bake 18–20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Cool completely.
- For frosting: beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar, then vanilla, lemon juice, and salt. Beat until creamy and fluffy.
- Pipe or spread frosting on cooled cupcakes. Garnish with a twist of lemon zest or a candied lemon slice.
Perfect Book Pairing
Curl up with Melissa Tagg’s From the Start or Like Never Before. Both novels overflow with the witty banter and heartfelt small-town romance that make her a favorite among clean romance fans.
These cupcakes taste like a Melissa Tagg novel: a bright burst of hope with a soft landing of sweetness—perfect for an afternoon of happily-ever-afters.
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