Lemon Whipped Cream Frosting

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Light and refreshing, this Lemon Whipped Cream Frosting recipe is the perfect addition to homemade lemon cupcakes. So quick and easy to make!

If you like these lemon-frosted cupcakes, try my Lemon Pudding Cake Recipe next. Pink Lemonade Cupcakes are another favorite!

Lemon whipped cream frosting on a lemon cupcake.
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Why This Frosting is Best

When it comes to cupcakes, we can all agree (I hope) that the frosting is the best part.

I love all kinds of frosting, from tried-and-true vanilla buttercream to chocolate ganache frosting. It’s impossible to pick a favorite–they all have their place.

While I’ve made a lemon cake and lemon cupcakes with lemon buttercream frosting in the past, today I was in the mood for something different. Something light, creamy and refreshing!

You’re going to love this Lemon Whipped Cream Frosting.

  • It’s homemade whipped cream flavored with real lemon!
  • The perfect thickness for piping onto cupcakes.
  • Holds its shape like cool whip! We used our stabilized whipped cream recipe as a starting point!
  • A balance of tangy, sweet and creamy flavors to tickle your tastebuds.
  • Easy to make in minutes!

Serve today’s frosting on our super moist lemon pudding cupcakes for a delicious duo. Or pipe it onto our easy coconut cupcakes.

Ingredient Notes

Ingredients needed to make lemon whipped cream frosting.

To make this lemon whipped cream frosting, you’ll need a few basic ingredients:

  • Heavy whipping cream – for creaminess and thickness.
  • Powdered sugar – for sweetness.
  • Lemon extract – A highly concentrated extract made from real lemons.
  • Lemon zest – The colorful outer layer of lemon peel adds color and more “zesty” flavor to the frosting.
  • Unflavored Gelatin- A flavorless, odorless thickening agent that makes the frosting easy to pipe with a frosting bag. You could also use clearjel for this too. You can find unflavored gelatin in the Jello and pudding aisle of the grocery store!
Lemon whipped cream in a glass bowl with electric beaters.

Serving Suggestions

Use this frosting on your favorite batch of cupcakes! Try it on these Lemon Coconut Cupcakes!

I love lemon on lemon on lemon, but I realize not everyone is that citrus obsessed. Balance out the lemon flavor by piping this frosting onto Vanilla Cupcakes instead.

Lemon Whipped Cream frosting is a delicious topping for a White Cake and Lemon Coconut Cake, too. You can’t go wrong with a frosting this good!

Perfect with fruit on our angel food cake, pound cake, or strawberry shortcake.

These Pineapple Orange Cupcakes are another easy, light dessert idea topped with a whipped cream style frosting. Less than 75 calories per cupcake!

What’s YOUR favorite cupcake and frosting combo? Share it in the comments!

Lemon whipped cream being piped onto a cupcake.

Recipe FAQs

Does this frosting need to be refrigerated?

YES! After topping your cupcakes, keep them in the refrigerator until ready to serve. The cold preserves the consistency and structure of the piped frosting.

Can I use lemon juice instead of extract?

No, lemon juice will not work the same. Juice is far less concentrated than the extract and won’t add much flavor to the whipped cream. The extract gives this whipped cream frosting a bright, lemony taste without adding excess liquid.

How can I make this whipped cream frosting without the lemon flavor?

Substitute vanilla extract for the lemon extract and omit the zest. Easy. I also have a Stabilized Whipped Cream recipe that works as a Cool Whip substitute. It tastes great as a u0022frostingu0022 on cupcakes too!

More Easy Desserts

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Lemon Whipped Cream Frosting

4.20 from 5 votes
By: Aimee
Light and refreshing, this Lemon Whipped Cream Frosting recipe is the perfect addition to homemade lemon cupcakes.
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Additional Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes
Servings: 24 cupcakes

Ingredients 

  • 24 lemon cupcakes baked and cooled
  • 2 cups heavy whipping cream
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon lemon extract
  • 1 lemon zested
  • 1 teaspoon unflavored gelatin
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Instructions 

  • In a large mixing bowl, beat heavy cream with a whisk (attached to a stand mixer or a handheld electric mixer) for 2-3 minutes until thickened. Slowly beat in the powdered sugar, lemon extract, lemon zest, and unflavored gelatin.
  • Beat an additional 2-3 minutes until desired consistency.
  • Frost cooled cupcakes and refrigerate for one hour. Serve cold and enjoy.

Notes

  • Unflavored Gelatin- A flavorless, odorless thickening agent that makes the frosting easy to pipe with a frosting bag. You could also use clearjel for this too. You can find unflavored gelatin in the Jello and pudding aisle of the grocery store!
  • Use on our lemon pudding cupcakes or any other variety!
  • Keep cupcakes in refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Nutrition

Calories: 381kcal, Carbohydrates: 51g, Protein: 4g, Fat: 19g, Saturated Fat: 10g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 8g, Cholesterol: 74mg, Sodium: 198mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 38g
Course: Basics
Cuisine: American
Did you make this recipe?Mention @shugarysweets or tag #shugarysweets!

Light and refreshing, this Lemon Whipped Cream Frosting recipe is the perfect addition to homemade lemon cupcakes.

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About Aimee

Aimee is a dessert lover (specifically rice krispie treats), workout enthusiast, self-taught foodie, and recipe creator.

Learn more about Aimee.

Affiliate Disclosure:**There may be affiliate links in this post! By clicking on them, or purchasing recommended items I may receive a small compensation. However, I only recommend products I love! Thank you for supporting Shugary Sweets! See my disclosure policy for more info**

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Posted on May 9, 2023

Comments & Reviews

  1. 5 stars
    Made this last night and it turned out great. The lemon extract I had was bad so I substituted double lemon juice plus another half and it was perfect.

  2. Will this frosting thaw well if used to frost a cake that must be frozen? If not, how long will it stay nice on a cake?

  3. 1 star
    the worst icing recipe i have ever used. turned out thin and curdled looking. i couldnt do anything with it.

    1. I wonder why? I made it yesterday (used less sugar and lemon juice instead of lemon extract) and it turned out great.

    1. Instant Clear Jel is modified food starch. It’s great for making stabilized whipped cream. I use 1/2 teaspoon per cup of heavy whipping cream. I blend it very well with about half of the sugar and add it to the cream when I think I’ll just have a minute or two left to whip. It works very quickly.

    1. It’s a very thin and light frosting. I personally wouldn’t recommend it unless you knew the cake would be eaten the day of making.

    1. They are not the same. If you don’t want to buy the extract, use a fresh lemon and zest it with some of the juice too.

  4. This is very easy process for making this lemon whipped cream, i am surly trying to make this cream in my kitchen.

  5. This frosting sounds so refreshing and perfect for spring time cupcakes. I’m a first time commenter on your blog, even though I have been following it for awhile. Please stop by my blog, I’ve just started so any support would be great.

4.20 from 5 votes

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