These Mini Lemon Drop Cakes are delightful bite-sized desserts that combine a sweet buttery flavor with a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture. Their moist and fluffy consistency, paired with a tangy lemon glaze, makes them an irresistible treat for any occasion.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

For the Mini Cakes:

1 cup all-purpose flour
¾ cup granulated sugar
½ teaspoon baking soda
Pinch of salt
½ cup unsalted butter
½ cup water
¼ cup sour cream, at room temperature
1 large egg, at room temperature
Zest of 1 lemon
1 tablespoon lemon juice
½ teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Lemon Glaze:

1½ cups powdered sugar
4 tablespoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons butter, softened to room temperature
1 tablespoon lemon zest

Directions

Prepare the Dry Ingredients: Preheat the oven to 325°F (165°C). In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking soda, and a pinch of salt. Stir until well mixed.
Incorporate the Wet Ingredients: In a saucepan, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat. Add the water and bring the mixture to a boil, stirring constantly. Once boiling, remove from heat and pour over the dry ingredients. Using an electric mixer on low speed, blend until combined. Add the sour cream, egg, lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla extract. Continue mixing on low speed just until the batter is smooth and all ingredients are incorporated.
Bake the Mini Cakes: Grease a mini muffin tin with non-stick cooking spray. Spoon approximately 1 tablespoon of batter into each cavity. Bake in the preheated oven for 12-16 minutes, or until the cakes are golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Once baked, let the mini cakes cool in the tin for about 10 minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack to reach room temperature.
Prepare the Lemon Glaze: In a bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, lemon juice, softened butter, and lemon zest until smooth. If the glaze thickens too much, microwave it for 10-15 seconds to achieve a pourable consistency.
Glaze the Cakes: Once the mini cakes have cooled, dip each one into the lemon glaze or drizzle the glaze over the tops. Allow the glaze to set before serving.

Nutrients

Per serving (1 mini cake, assuming 48 servings):

Calories: 61 kcal
Carbohydrates: 9g
Protein: 0.5g
Fat: 2.8g
Saturated Fat: 1.7g
Cholesterol: 12mg
Fiber: 0.1g
Sugar: 6.9g

Why Mini Cakes Are the Perfect Dessert

Miniature desserts have been growing in popularity due to their convenient size and aesthetic appeal. Mini cakes, in particular, offer the advantage of being easily portable and serving multiple guests without the need for slicing or messy portions. Their small size also makes it easy to enjoy just a bite or two without feeling overly indulgent. The Mini Lemon Drop Cakes are a perfect example of this, offering an irresistible burst of flavor in every bite.

These cakes are also incredibly versatile. While they are perfect for spring and summer occasions due to their fresh lemon flavor, they can easily be served year-round for birthdays, holidays, or any celebration. Their bite-sized nature allows them to be included on dessert tables alongside other treats, and they are just as easy to make in bulk as they are to prepare for a smaller gathering.

The Flavor Profile: Sweet, Buttery, and Tangy

The main attraction of these Mini Lemon Drop Cakes is their balance of sweet and tangy flavors. The base of the cakes is a delicate, soft, and buttery sponge made with simple ingredients like butter, flour, sugar, and sour cream. This base creates a moist and fluffy texture that melts in your mouth.

However, the true star of these cakes is the lemon. Lemon zest and lemon juice are infused into both the cake and the glaze, giving these little cakes a delightful citrus punch that cuts through the sweetness of the cake. The lemon glaze further elevates the flavor with its smooth and tangy finish, making every bite a refreshing treat.

The Perfect Texture: Moist and Tender

Achieving the right texture for Mini Lemon Drop Cakes is essential. You want them to be light, fluffy, and moist, without being too dense or dry. The combination of sour cream and the butter-water mixture ensures that the batter has just the right consistency to bake into soft, tender cakes.

The texture of these mini cakes is particularly important because of their small size. Unlike larger cakes or muffins, mini cakes need to bake evenly, allowing for a smooth crumb and lightness. By baking the cakes at a moderate temperature and checking for doneness using a toothpick, you ensure that they come out of the oven golden brown on the outside while remaining moist and fluffy inside.

Easy to Make and Incredibly Convenient

One of the best aspects of Mini Lemon Drop Cakes is how simple and quick they are to prepare. The ingredients are common pantry items, and the process doesn’t require any specialized equipment. With just a few steps, you can easily create a batch of these delightful cakes for your next event.

Unlike traditional cakes that need to be baked in a large pan and then sliced, mini cakes eliminate the need for cutting and serving. The use of a mini muffin tin ensures that the cakes hold their shape perfectly and are ready to serve immediately. If you’re in a rush or just want to make something special without too much effort, this recipe is perfect for a quick, no-fuss dessert.

Additionally, the ability to prepare these cakes ahead of time makes them even more convenient. Once the cakes are baked and glazed, they can be stored at room temperature or refrigerated until you’re ready to serve them. This makes them an excellent make-ahead option for parties, gatherings, or any special occasion.

Perfect for Any Occasion

Mini Lemon Drop Cakes are incredibly versatile, making them a perfect dessert for a wide variety of occasions. The vibrant lemon flavor and sunny yellow glaze evoke a feeling of freshness, making them especially popular for spring and summer events like baby showers, weddings, and Easter celebrations. Their light, refreshing nature makes them a great choice after a heavy meal, and their eye-catching appearance will brighten up any dessert table.

These cakes also work well for more casual occasions like family gatherings, barbecues, or afternoon tea. They are easy to grab and go, making them an ideal treat for kids and adults alike. Because they are small and individually sized, they can also be packed into lunchboxes or enjoyed as a quick snack throughout the day.

In addition to their versatility for holidays and celebrations, Mini Lemon Drop Cakes are a fantastic way to enjoy a bit of sweetness without overindulging. Their small size allows you to have a satisfying treat while maintaining portion control, making them a great option for those who are mindful of their sugar intake but still want to enjoy a dessert.

Customization Ideas

While the classic Mini Lemon Drop Cake with lemon glaze is delicious on its own, there are plenty of ways to customize this recipe to suit your tastes. If you want to add a little extra texture, consider folding in some poppy seeds into the batter for a delightful crunch, or even adding a hint of vanilla extract for a deeper flavor profile.

For a fun variation, you could also experiment with different citrus fruits. Try using orange or lime juice in place of the lemon for a different citrusy twist. Another option is to add a bit of lemon curd or lemon marmalade between the layers for an extra burst of lemon flavor.

Additionally, for those who prefer their desserts with more sweetness, consider topping the Mini Lemon Drop Cakes with a light dusting of powdered sugar or a few candied lemon peel strips. These additions not only enhance the flavor but also add a beautiful touch of decoration to the cakes.

Conclusion: A Delicious, Refreshing Dessert for All Occasions

In conclusion, these Mini Lemon Drop Cakes are an excellent dessert choice for anyone looking for a refreshing and indulgent treat. They combine the best elements of a classic lemon cake with a modern, bite-sized twist. The light, fluffy texture of the cakes, the bright and tangy lemon glaze, and the simplicity of the recipe make them the perfect dessert for any occasion.

Whether you’re hosting a special gathering or just want a delightful snack to brighten your day, Mini Lemon Drop Cakes deliver both in flavor and presentation. Their versatility allows you to customize them to your liking, while their size and ease of preparation make them an ideal choice for those looking for a quick and delicious dessert. These little cakes are sure to become a favorite for years to come, bringing sunshine and sweetness to your dessert table no matter the season.

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