Strawberry Lemonade Cupcakes
Sometimes I kind of forget how old I am.
In my mind, I’m still around my early 20′s, which is kind of a stupid time for my brain to choose because I can tell you with certainty that I was not at my best then. I was too skinny, smoked cigarettes, and went out on dates with guys I knew would probably annoy me just for the free dinner. But for whatever reason, I see young people and think, “oh, they’re about my age, I could probably hang out with them”, then I do the math and realize that I was graduating High School when they started Kindergarten.
A couple of days ago, my husband and I went to the wedding of a couple who were just graduating from college. The bridesmaid dresses were cute and tasteful (when did THAT start happening?), the colors were muted and trendy, it was actually fun to watch, and I was wondering, when did weddings get all cool? Which is totally something an old person wonders about.
At the reception, the couple and their friends started dancing to rap music and all I could think about was #1 If I went out there, I would be THAT weird old person #2 I didn’t even know the moves that they all seemed to know and #3 The music was super loud. Like…I couldn’t even hear myself think, which was totally distracting.
When you find yourself saying things like, “let’s go home, the music is so loud it’s giving me a headache”, you are officially NOT a young person anymore.
Anyways, I say if you’re getting older, just embrace it. Because there is nothing worse than being that old person who thinks they can still dress like they are in High School, trust me on this.
Also loud music is overrated. People need to be able to converse, it’s part of life.
Because Memorial Day was yesterday, it’s officially time for Summer desserts. I thought we’d start with Strawberry Lemonade Cupcakes. For the cake part, I used a recipe from Paula Deen (pre diabetic recipes) that I’ve been dying to try for awhile. White cake mix is combined with strawberry jello and pureed strawberries in sugar syrup and the result is amazing.
If I had a little girl…. (ahem, baby in my belly), I would make these cupcakes for tea parties all the time and it would be fabulous.Strawberry Lemonade Cupcakes
Adapted from Paula Deen
INGREDIENTS
- 18.25 oz box white cake mix
- 3 oz box strawberry gelatin
- 15 oz (mine was 16 oz and it was fine) package frozen strawberries in sugar syrup, thawed and pureed
- 4 eggs
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1/4 cup water
- Frosting:
- 2 sticks butter
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1/3 cup sweetened lemonade mix (I used Country Time)
- 2-3 Tablespoons water
- Lemon drops and sanding sugar for garnish (optional)
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 350. Line 24 muffin tins with cupcake liners and set aside.
2. In the bowl of a mixer, stir together cake mix and gelatin powder. Add pureed strawberries, eggs, oil, and water. Beat on low speed until just combined, then increase speed to medium and beat until batter is smooth. Fill cupcake tins about 2/3 full, and bake for about 20 minutes or until tops spring back when lightly touched. Cool on a cooling rack.
3. Make frosting: In the bowl of a mixer, beat butter until smooth. Add powdered sugar and lemonade powder and beat on low until just combined. Add 2 Tablespoons water and increase speed to medium high, beating for about 2 minutes, until fluffy and smooth. If frosting is too thick, add another tablespoon of water.
4. Frost cupcakes, top with a lemon drop and sanding sugar if desired.
Notes: If you’re going to pipe the frosting high on your cupcakes, double the frosting recipe.
Speaking of, I’m at 14 weeks!!
My first appointment (FINALLY) is Thursday, and I’m super anxious to see if all is well. Please keep your fingers crossed!!
Enjoy the cupcakes and have a happy Tuesday!!
Thanks for visiting my blog! I realize you could be doing more important things with your time. Like watching the news or washing socks. I hope you stay awhile. Much more fun than socks, I promise. 
These look so great! One question…what tip do you use for the frosting. I can never seem to get such a nice look….
Thanks!!
Hi Laura…I’m a cake decorator and to get the look you’re asking about I use either the coupler without any tip in it..so long as it’s a solid circle or a # 10 tip..I already know I have to wash couplers and if I can save myself from washing one more tip, well, it’s all good in my world.
I used a large cupcake frosting tip…it has a really big round opening. You can buy one here: http://www.bakeitpretty.com/best-ever-cupcake-icing-kit/
I am 29 and I’ve always thought that music was too loud and I looove spend my time at home. If this kind of things make a person old… I’ve been old my entire life, haha :)
You are nice in your 14 weeks! Fingers crossed.
Such yummy cupcakes!!!
Strawberry Lemonade is the flavor of summer for me. Good luck with your appointment!
PS. you are still the cutest and you aren’t nearly as old as me!
I think the same thing every time I go into certain stores in the mall…why is the music SO loud??? DO they not know that old people are the ones with money?
Delicious cupcakes. If you have a girl I am totally flying down to have tea and cupcakes.
Haha….so glad you went with one of Paula’s pre-diabetic recipes. That made me laugh out loud. ;) They look fabulous and perfect for summer…I love a lemon dessert!
Cannot wait to hear about your appointment! Will be thinking about you on Thursday!!!
PS…I went shopping for kiddo and decided to go into one of those cool “hip” clothing stores at the mall. The music was so loud, I could not even find the sizes…I had to leave and run to Target, where it’s FREEZING, but I can still hear myself think.
there are so many things that make me realize I’m officially old to so many… pass me a cupcake so I can drown my misery? you’re way cute – loving all of the pic updates :)
These look pretty & delish. I have a friend who’s having a ‘surprise’ baby today (we’re both older than you) and I’m so excited I can’t hardly stand it . . have her FB page up & waiting for pics. Good luck with your appointment! I was only able to have the one daughter & they are the best- fingers crossed! ;)
Love to see that growing belly :) And these cupcakes too…
Ok, lol…. Is it wrong that my favorite part of this post is the look on John David’s face??? He’s freaking priceless!
These cupcakes look yummy & I can’t wait to try them! You are looking so good-love the pink top!
That look on your son’s face is priceless!
Most of the time, I still think I’m 18. But then I see all the small children multiplying around me that my friends and family are having- and some of them are even big!- and I realize it’s actually been a while since I was 18. Of course, I then encounter an actual 18-year-old and realize that they are quite obnoxious.
Anyway… those cupcakes are adorable, and I want some!
You look ADORABLE! I convinced myself that I was only having a boy, that way I could not be disappointed…I cried for 2 weeks after I found out I was having a girl, any time I said “I’m having a girl!”
Now that girl is 9 and a sass machine! Has to have the last word and knows IT ALL. LOL
I’ve never had a tea party with her, she is a Daddy’s girl, so she likes sports and riding bikes and she has never asked me to play Barbies or braid her her…I also have a son, who DOES like to bake, we call him sugar boy. If it’s sweet he’ll eat it!
Congratulations! Crossing my fingers for you!
I can not wait to try these cupcakes! Thank you for sharing.
OMGIAMSOEXCITEDFORYOU!!! I really want you to have a girl because THINK OF ALL THE SHOPPING POSSIBILITIES! And tea parties and YES. Plus, then Jon David will be the perfect older brother for his younger sister :) adorable! I loveee the frosting on these bad boys and just may want to face plant it.
a) I’m TOTALLY always the old person who thinks the music is too loud and wants to go home.
b) ooooo baby-ness appointment style, yeaaaaaah.
c) Well there’s not a c, but let’s see. OH THAT RHYMED.
these look delicious, something a young, hip person would make!
Fingers are crossed for you!! You guys could not be any cuter if you tried. And the old person inside me – oh she’s there, yawning at 8:30pm and yelling that the TV is too loud. I think I’m becoming my mother too soon!
When I’m with youngerish people I usually think all is going well until they start talking about bands I don’t know. And umm why do doctors make everyone wait so long for that first appointment? So annoying
If you had a baby girl, she’d love making these cupcakes with you!
Also, I went to a wedding not too long ago where most of the participants were drunk and chugging beer like it was the end of the world. Even when I was young and their age, I never did anything like that. It made me feel especially mature for my age. haha
I just cannot believe that you’ve had to wait so long for your first appointment – really!!! Best wishes for an uneventful one!
Fingers and toes crossed for your appointment! That photo of Jon David absolutely cracks me up! The collection of these photos in an album will be priceless!
And these cupcakes? I need these for summer! YUM!
Your pictures are absolutely adorable. The way you feel about weddings, I feel about pregnant women. You look so cool. I totally wore ugly moomoos and such. Now, preg.clothes is so trendy! Love the cupcakes!
LOL! Ever read someone’s post & think ‘I could be her friend’? :-D
The bad thing is that my ‘I may be getting old’ moment was when the people I thought I could hang out with actually started calling me ma’am. Really??? I was just barely into my 30s!
Thanks for the laugh! And the new recipe to try.
Ahahaha your belly is sure growing! Can’t wait to see what little Cookbook Princess/Prince looks like!
Jon David is hilarious and those cupcakes look delish! Praying that all goes well with your doc appointment and the doc has nothing but good news. And here’s to hoping you have a baby girl for future tea parties! :)
Haha, I’ll embrace getting older with you. I think my little sister is now officially cooler than me, but I guess with all my grandma hobbies it didn’t take much anyway. ;-)
OMG that Jon David expressions just kill me :) he is so dang funny!!
You look great! My bet is that it is a little girl in there.
I have two daughters who are now 18 & 15 and let me tell you – they’re the best! So much fun! My oldest is my shopping buddy :) And I’m even happier to say neither one of them gave hubby and I a hard time. Both are great girls!
Ohhhh I KNOW! I’m so over loud music! People need to be able to talk! How awkward to be making gestures to each other because you can’t hear? Ugh. I’m such a grandma. I’m 27 and think music should be soft.
I’ll be thinking about ya for your checkup! Hoping for a little baby girl to eat pink cupcakes with! eee!! :)
You are an adorable pregnant person — seriously. These cupcakes look amazingly yummy and my “Lemonheads addicted teenage son” will love them completely. :)
You look super adorable! (Why is it boys cannot stop themselves from making funny faces?) Fingers crossed for your Thurs. appointment!
LOL. Hey, i’m still a college student and think loud music is overrated. it’s like…HOW DO YOU EVEN HEAR? but, maybe that’s the point…
anyways, i think this is a lovely recipe and looks just like summer!
You are so cute with your little belly! These cupcakes look so perfect! They are adorable, and the flavors sound incredible for summer!
I totally look at 25 year olds and think we are the same age. I am SO wrong!
I love the expressions your son makes in these pictures!! I liked you story, I often feel I’m getting old, turning 40 soon and thankfully, I don’t think I’m trying to act younger, that would be embarrassing, especially for my kids! Love the color contrast on these cupcakes. My lips are puckering up at the frosting, I wish I could have one now!
Girlie Heaven and dieters’ Hell methinks!
That picture is just too cute! The cupcakes look amazing..pinning and sharing!
You look beautiful. Your son is gorgeous. Pregnancy certainly agrees with you. All the best with the appointment. I also enjoyed your article. I have an acquaintance who’s turning 30 and she’s completely funked out about it. I dare say in about another 10 years she’ll be grateful she left her 20s behind because you really come into your own after 30. Take care.
Well, first of all, you are the most adorable pregnant woman ever! I really loved your hair wavy in the last pic, but it looks great straight, too! Secondly, your son is hysterical!! He seems to take after his mom (at least the way I read/interpret your blog). Third, those cupcakes are adorable! I have to make cupcakes tonight for my 8 yr old daughter’s teacher (well, I only need one for the teacher, to go with her gift – then a few for the bus driver, the rest may have to go in the freezer to be frosted later). My daughter wants to make chocolate with purple frosting. If I had the ingredients, I would make these strawberry lemonade ones. Maybe I’ll get the ingredients and make them for our vacation. I can bring the frozen cupcakes and frost them at the beach house. Fourth, I have an almost 14 yr old son along with the 8 yr old daughter. I was over the moon to have the daughter (we were surprised in the delivery room). I am sooooo in love with her, still. She is quite a diva, though, which can be too much, if you know what I mean. Anyway, best wishes for an uneventful, healthy pregnancy and crossing my fingers (virtually, cuz I can’t keep ‘em crossed for the next 26 weeks) for a healthy baby girl!
These are just too cute. A friend of mine creates cupcakes for Paula Deen she has a blog The Cupcake Project so this recipe very well could have been hers. Darling and yes they would be perfect for tea parties young and old.
Speaking of old, I know what you’re talking about with music, clothing and dancing but where you haven’t hit yet is the age when you find yourself talking like your parents, discussing your aches and pains. It sucks and my husband and I are both there despite the fact we refuse to slow down with exercising. Guess what? There’s more rude awakenings ahead.
Fun post as always.
I love these adorable belly pictures with your son. What a great memory for both of you and such a great way to get him involved in the pregnancy as well. I might have to steal this if I ever have a little one again…
As for the feeling like you’re in your early twenties…I feel you! I feel like I’m about 25 and yet, I’m in the latter part of my 30s. Seriously, how did THAT happen? I now have to do that “you’re older, is this appropriate” check whenever I buy new clothes, etc. Ah well, at least my little one still appreciates my selective immaturity. LOL!
Fingers crossed for a great check-up!
Strawberry lemonade looks even better in cupcake form!
These cupcakes look fantastic and I can’t wait to try them. You however, look even better! Congrats on the baby building – it is no small task building a new heart and brain for a HUMAN and still creating delicious and tempting desserts. Obviously, you are very good at multi-tasking.
I have to say, your posts always make me laugh! Thanks for the humor – you bring joy via cupcakes and words!
You are just tooo cute!!! I just look fab! And once again I love Jon David facial expression when he is measuring your bump!! Hope all goes well with the doctors appointment tomorrow.
These look so good!!! I cannot wait to make them once my morning (AKA ALL DAY) sickness goes away!!! :) Happy Baking and Happy Pregnancy to you too! :)
While reading your post i thought you wud be so old but hey you are so young!!!! i m 38 n i still want to feel that i m YOUNG!!! i have two kids n i wish i can have another one…me n my husband we both Love babies n since our daughter’s turning 2 we just miss having Toddlers around the house!!!
Your cupcakes recipe seem so cool n i so wanna try it for an upcoming tea Party!!!
n hey you are the cutest Preggy ever n i love the pics…n kinda thinking of borrowing the pics w your son if i ever have another baby…all the best to your Doc’s check ups!
its my very first time in your blog n i can feel i wud be a regular one from now one…:)
I love your Summer dessert. Totally cool and adorable! oh…thanks for reminding me I’m old, too. :) Yes, I rather go home than not able to hear myself think because the music is too loud. hehehe…..
Seriously, these are the cutest cupcakes ever!!!! How on earth do you dream these things up??
Congrats on the upcoming little one!
I wanted you to know that I pinned this amazing recipe and just made them for a retirement dinner at work and they were a HUGE hit!!! The cupcakes themselves are so flavorful and moist and may be my new favorites. With the addition of the unbelieveable lemonade frosting they are too good to be real. So thanks for making me the hit of the dinner!! And I will be making these again and again.
These cupcakes look amazing. Great way to kick off the summer. Good luck on your appointment and congrats!
Love your site! These look sooo good and cute! I had to share it on my own page. Please feel free to check my page out, I make handmade items. I will also be starting a dessert/cake business soon! :) Thanks, and CONGRATULATIONS!!! :D such exciting news!
I don’t know how old you’re talking about because looking at the picture you don’t look old AT ALL. And speaking of the picture, your son’s expression makes this a photograph to cherish! :D
[...] strawberry lemonade cupcakes from Confessions of a Cookbook Queen perfectly express the summertime sentiments without bringing [...]
Ha…yep, I could almost name the three way to loud stores. I guess I was meant to be a geezer. Adorable cupcakes, but totally upstaged by the cutest boy ever!
These look amazing! I plan on making them tomorrow fora family BBQ, but I have a question(probably silly). How much is a stick of butter? Where I live they only come in 2 cup bricks.
Thanks!… Will let you know how they turn out.
One stick is 1/2 cup, so one cup for the icing.
Thanks! That is what I figured but wanted to be sure.
I’ve made these tasty darlings, and they are great! I can’t wait to impress the pants off everyone at my BBQ tonight!
I think I am going to have to try these for my 7 year old’d birthday party next weekend! Who cares if it is a horse theme at a horse ranch, these look too good to pass up:)
Made these over the weekend — Yowzah! Excellent flavor! Love the tangy lemonade frosting!
I’m totally old. I will turn on the talk radio show in the car to check traffic. I don’t think I would have ever done that in my 20s!! And I totally made this recipe (in cake form, but with strawberry frosting) for my daughter’s last birthday. I loved it!!
These cupcakes looks adorable!!! So suited for summer! And you look gorgeous by the way! Good luck with Thursday!
These look awesome! We are having a you are my sunshine theme birthday party for my daughters first birthday. I am going to make these to go in mason jars for taking home, thanks so much for sharing, congrats on your baby to be I hope all is going wonderful:)
[...] Strawberry Lemonade Cupcakes from Confessions of a Cookbook Queen are adorable (and [...]
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