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Mini lemon drop cakes are drenched in a mouthwatering lemon glaze making them delicious and addicting and perfectly sweet + tangy!
We love all things mini like fruit tarts, cinnamon rolls, and donuts. These mini Lemon Drop cakes are a perfect treat for lemon fans.
Easy Lemon Drop Cakes
I am a huge fan of all things lemon, and these Mini Lemon Drop Cakes are my latest experiment.
The original recipe called for a cake mix, but it made 75 lemon drops. I didn’t need that many, so I decided to come up with my own recipe. I am thrilled with how they turned out.
I took them to a bridal shower, and they were a big hit! They are soft and buttery, and the lemon glaze soaks into every nook and cranny, making every bite delectable. Be careful, they are hard to stop eating!
Fresh lemon zest is the secret to incredible lemon flavor, so don’t leave it out. If you love lemons, you are really in for a treat!
How to Make Lemon Drops
PREP. Spray mini muffin pans with non-stick spray; set aside.
DRY INGREDIENTS. Whisk together flour, sugar, salt, and baking soda in a mixing bowl; set aside.
WET INGREDIENTS. Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add water and bring to a boil.
COMBINE. Pour hot mixture over dry ingredients and beat with a hand beater till barely blended. Beat in the sour cream, egg, zest, and lemon juice till smooth.
BAKE. Scoop batter into muffin pans. Bake at 325° for about 12 minutes. Let cool for 5 minutes, then turn onto cooling racks. Cool completely before glazing.
MIX. Whisk all glaze ingredients together in a small mixing bowl. Heat for about 10 seconds in the microwave till glaze is very thin.
GLAZE. Dip lemon drops top side down into the glaze. Let excess glaze drip off into the bowl, then invert lemon drops bottom side down onto cooling racks. (Place waxed paper underneath the cooling racks for easier clean up.) Let sit till glaze hardens.
SToring Info
These mini lemon drop cakes might just be the perfect lemony dessert! Here are a few helpful tips you might like before you get started with baking them:
STORE covered on your countertop at room temperature if you plan to eat within a few days.
FREEZE them before you add the glaze. Flash freeze the cakes on a baking sheet for about an hour and then add them to a freezer safe container or Ziploc bag. They will store well frozen for up to 3 months. When you are ready to eat them just thaw out on your countertop and then make the glaze and dip your cakes.
If you love lemon, Here are a few more recipes to try:
Lemon Drop Mini Cakes
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1 whole egg
- 1 Tbsp fresh lemon zest
- 1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
Lemon Glaze
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tsp fresh lemon zest
- 1 Tbsp butter, melted
- 2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 2 Tbsp milk
Instructions
- Spray mini muffin pans with non-stick spray; set aside.Â
- Whisk together flour, sugar, salt, and baking soda in a mixing bowl; set aside.
- Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add water and bring to a boil.Â
- Pour hot mixture over dry ingredients and beat with a hand beater till barely blended. Beat in the sour cream, egg, zest, and lemon juice till smooth.
- Scoop batter into muffin pans. Bake at 325° for about 12 minutes. Let cool for 5 minutes, then turn onto cooling racks. Cool completely before glazing.
- Dip lemon drops top side down into the glaze. Let excess glaze drip off into the bowl, then invert lemon drops bottom side down onto cooling racks. (Place waxed paper underneath the cooling racks for easier clean up.) Let sit till glaze hardens.Â
Lemon Glaze
- Whisk all glaze ingredients together in a small mixing bowl. Heat for about 10 seconds in the microwave till glaze is very thin.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Can I make these ahead and freeze them and then ice them when they thaw out?
Yes, flash freeze the cakes on a baking sheet for about an hour and then add them to a freezer safe container or Ziploc bag. They will store well frozen for up to 3 months. When you are ready to eat them just thaw out on your countertop and then make the glaze and dip your cakes.
As someone who doesn’t always love lemon desserts, this was great!! But don’t be like me, make sure you don’t fill the batter to the top of the tins, they did rise and it just made it a little harder to get them out. I also had to leave them in an extra 10 mins. Personally, I would probably leave them in even longer to get them nice and caramelized on the outside. Very yummy!!
I’m glad you enjoyed this lemon dessert and for the extra little tips. I know I like reading through recipe comments to see what different bakers suggest when trying a new recipe.
I just made these, and they are the best. I made 12 in a mini bundt pan and had enough batter left to make another pan full. I can’t stop popping them in my mouth, and I haven’t even put the glaze on them yet. Thanks, I will be making these again soon!
LOL! Love to hear that!! They are so good even without the glaze! Thank you for letting me know!
Everyone loves these when I have made them.
They are always a hit! I am so happy to hear that! Thank you!!
Can these be made using cupcake papers?
They definitely could! Though, you would want to take them out before you dip them into the glaze, so it could drip down the sides.
Loved the taste of these. That being said I found them so difficult to remove them from the pans. I sprayed them and followed all the instructions. None of them came out intact. Disappointed .
Oh, shoot! I am sorry they were. I like to add a little flour too, if I am worried they won’t come out. I appreciate you trying them!
I have made these many times. Hint! I cut parchment paper the size of the bottom of each cup.(I actually bought a 1.25 hole punch just for this!) . The cakes are very tender no matter how much you grease your pans it’s hard to ger them out without breaking them. Parchment paper on the bottom really works!
Thanks for sharing that!! Hope that helps others!
These were amazing! Our local WalMart and Aldi stopped selling Lemon Bites about a year ago now and my grandson has been super bummed! He tasted one of these and said Thank You, they are amazing!”
Yay! I’m so glad you enjoy them!
Took these to a playgroup this morning, and the moms wanted the recipe. Big hit! Thanks!
Lousy; gummy; heavy – nothing like Costco’s Lemon Bites.
Sorry to hear you didn’t enjoy the recipe. Thanks for sharing your feedback and giving the recipe a try.