I used boxed cake mix to save time and I jazzed them up with additional eggs, oil, and pudding mix to make them extra moist. I added fresh lemon zest to the lemon cake and fresh juice and zest to the whipped frosting so the lemonade flavor would stand out. The final touch: serve in mason jars with a spoon tied on the side. Fun, portable, and tasty too!
These stacked cakes topped with lemon cream cheese frosting are a pretty semi homemade treat. Served in a mason jar they are perfect for picnics, parties, and for mailing as gifts!
Please scroll down to see all the Easy Barbecue Recipes shared this week from Sunday Supper bloggers.
This week’s host: Christie from A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures.
Mason Jar Strawberry Lemonade Cupcakes
Ingredients
For the cakes:
- 1 box Strawberry cake mix
- 1 box Lemon cake mix
- 1 3.4 oz box vanilla pudding mix
- 1 3.4 oz box lemon pudding mix
- 8 eggs divided
- 1 cup vegetable oil divided
- 2 cups water divided {or according to box}
- zest from one lemon
For the Cream Cheese Lemon frosting:
- 1 {8 oz} cream cheese softened
- 4 tbsp {1/2 stick} unsalted butter
- 4 tbsp lemon juice
- zest from 1 lemon
- 2 tsp vanilla
- 16 oz powdered sugar {2 cups}
- 16 oz container Cool Whip
- yellow food coloring {optional}
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325 degrees.
- Line 2 cupcake pans with paper or silicone liners.
- Prepare the strawberry cake mix in a large bowl.
- Add strawberry cake mix, vanilla pudding mix, 4 eggs, 1/2 cup oil, and 1 cup water to the bowl.
- Beat on medium speed with a mixer for 2 minutes. Set aside.
- Repeat with the lemon cake mix in the large bowl. Add 1 cup water {or whatever box says}, 4 eggs, and lemon pudding mix.
- Beat on medium speed for 2 minutes then add lemon zest and stir to combine.
- Using an ice cream scoop, add one full scoop of lemon cake mix to each cupcake liner in the first cupcake pan.
- Repeat with the strawberry cake mix and add to the other cupcake pan.
- Place both pans in the oven and bake for 15 minutes.
- Remove from oven, let cool for 5 minutes, then remove to a cooling rack to cool completely.
- Meanwhile, repeat with remaining batter and bake 2 more trays of cupcakes.
- Once all cupcakes are cool, remove paper wrappers, then slice in half width wise.
- Using a large {16oz} mason jar, add a half of a lemon cupcake then top with a swirl of frosting {not too much or it will ooze over the side}.
- Top with a half of a strawberry cupcake then another swirl of frosting then repeat with one more lemon and one more strawberry.
- Add one last swirl of frosting then add the mason jar lid {and straw if you would like}.
- For the final touch, tie on a spoon with a ribbon then serve or give as a gift!
For the Cream Cheese Lemon Frosting:
- Place cream cheese and butter into a large bowl.
- Beat with a mixer until creamy then add powdered sugar.
- Finally, mix in vanilla, lemon juice, and zest.
- Once combined gently fold in Cool Whip.
- You can add yellow food coloring for a brighter color if you'd like. I add 15 drops.
- Cover and place in the fridge to chill for a couple hours or up to overnight.
- When ready to serve, scoop into a piping bag and pipe onto cupcakes.
This semi homemade recipe uses jazzed up boxed cake mix.
I add a pack of pudding mix, an extra egg, and and extra 2 tbsp of oil along with the required ingredients on the back of the box for each cake.
Adding pudding mix to cakes and cookies is one of my favorite semi-homemade secrets.
Add strawberry cake mix, vanilla pudding mix, 4 eggs, 1/2 cup oil, and 1 cup water to the bowl.
Beat on medium speed with a mixer for 2 minutes. Set aside.
Repeat with the lemon cake mix in the large bowl.
This time add lemon pudding mix.
Add 1 cup water {or whatever box says}, 4 eggs, and 1/2 cup oil.
Beat on medium speed for 2 minutes then add lemon zest and stir to combine.
Using an ice cream scoop, add one full scoop of lemon cake mix to each cupcake liner in the first cupcake pan.
Repeat with the strawberry cake mix and add to the other cupcake pan.
Place both pans in the oven and bake for 15 minutes.
For the frosting:
Place cream cheese and butter into a large bowl.
Beat with a mixer until creamy.
Then add powdered sugar.
Finally, mix in vanilla, lemon juice, and zest.
Once combined gently fold in Cool Whip.
You can add yellow food coloring for a brighter color if you’d like.
I add 15 drops of yellow.
Once all cupcakes are cool, remove paper wrappers.
Slice each cupcakes in half width wise.
I use large{16oz} mason jars with lids for this recipe.
Add a half of a lemon cupcake
Then top with a swirl of frosting {not too much or it will ooze over the side}.
Add one last swirl of frosting then add the mason jar lid {and straw if you would like}.
For the final touch, tie on a spoon with a ribbon then serve or give as a gift!
Sunday Supper Easy BBQ Recipes
Best Burgers and Sandwiches
- Barbecue Rib Burgers with Low Carb Sauce by My Life Cookbook
- Caribbean Jerk Chicken Burgers by Simple and Savory
- Guava-Ale BBQ Pulled Chicken Sandwich by Gourmet Everyday
- Turkapple Burgers with Yumback Sauce by A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
Grill Master Mains
- Grilled Red Snapper with Cilantro and Onion Stuffing by Food Lust People Love
- Honey Glazed Chicken Kabobs by That Skinny Chick Can Bake
- Slow Cooker Pulled Pork with Homemade Coleslaw by A Mind Full Mom
- Spicy Grilled Leg of Lamb by Sunday Supper Movement
Mop Worthy Sauces
- Blueberry Sriracha Barbecue Sauce by Cosmopolitan Cornbread
- Homemade Ketchup by What Smells So Good?
Searing Starters and Sides
- Campfire Corn and Tomatoes by Cricket’s Confections
- Grilled Lime Beer Ritas with Smoky Lime Salt by Our Good Life
- Honey Chipotle BBQ Chicken Wings by Soulfully Made
- Pork Satay with Peanut Sauce by Asian In America
Sizzling Sweets
- All-American Pie Shooter Trio by The Crumby Cupcake
- Flourless Fudge Brownies by Pies and Plots
- Grilled Fruit Kabobs by The Freshman Cook
- Grilled Peaches with Mascarpone by Caroline’s Cooking
- Ice Cream Cone Cupcakes by Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
- Mason Jar Strawberry Lemonade Cupcakes by For the Love of Food
- Mini No Bake Coconut Cheescakes by Jonesin’ For Taste
These look super fun! And perfect for a picnic!
So cute, Nicole! These will brighten up any bbq!
I truly love to eat out of jars and cups and mugs etc. Great recipe!