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    Emily Fabulous » Recipes » Desserts

    Lilac Cupcakes with Lilac Buttercream Frosting

    Published: Apr 28, 2021 · Modified: Jul 3, 2023 by Emily · This post may contain affiliate links · 47 Comments

    Jump to Recipe
    lilac cupcake with frosting and fresh lilac flowers on top

    These Lilac Cupcakes with Lilac Buttercream have a subtle floral flavor and aroma that makes the most beautiful and delicious treat. Make homemade lilac syrup and lilac sugar from fresh edible lilac flowers to get the flavor in these cupcakes.

    lilac cupcake on a platter

    Lilacs are such beautiful and aromatic flowers. And guess what? They are edible! The minute I discovered that you could eat these special little flowers my first thought was to make Lilac Cupcakes with Lilac Buttercream and also my How to Make Candied Lilac Flowers.

    Jump to:
    • Why I Love This Recipe
    • How to Make Cupcakes with Edible Flowers
    • How to Make Lilac Buttercream Frosting
    • How to Make Lilac Syrup
    • How to Make Lilac Sugar
    • Recipe FAQs
    • More Edible Flower Recipes
    • Lilac Cupcakes and Lilac Buttercream Frosting

    Why I Love This Recipe

    These little baked goods taste as good as they sound using fresh lilac flowers. The flavor is subtle and the purple color of the frosting creates a beautiful presentation perfect for any occasion.

    This recipe is a small batch recipe meant to only make about 10-12 cupcakes similar to my Passion Fruit Cupcakes. I always find this is perfect for my house (mostly for me so I don't eat them all 😂). If you want more cupcakes, feel free to double this recipe, or try my Lemon Lavender Cupcakes, and you are good to go.

    lilce cupcakes on a cake stand with fresh lilacs on top

    How to Make Cupcakes with Edible Flowers

    cupcake pan with cupcake liners.

    Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F and prepare the cupcake pan with cupcake liners.

    dry ingredients for cupcakes.

    Step 2: Sift the flour, baking powder, and salt together in a medium mixing bowl and set aside.

    lilac cupcake batter.

    Step 3: Cream butter and sugar until fluffy, about 4–5 minutes. Mix in egg, lemon zest, and lilac syrup, then alternate adding dry ingredients and milk until fully combined.

    lilac cupcake batter in cups.

    Step 4: Fill liners with batter and bake for 15-18 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

    lilac cupcake batter.

    Step 5: Cream butter and sugar until fluffy, about 4–5 minutes. Mix in egg, lemon zest, and lilac syrup, then alternate adding dry ingredients and milk until fully combined.

    baked lilac cupcakes.

    Step 6: Fill liners with batter and bake for 15-18 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

    How to Make Lilac Buttercream Frosting

    lilac buttercream in a mixing bowl

    In a large mixing bowl or stand mixer, whip the butter until light and fluffy. Add 2 cups of powdered sugar, one cup at a time, and mix in completely. Put in the vanilla, milk, and lilac syrup and combine.

    Add the rest of the powdered sugar and continue beating until the frosting is smooth. Add purple food coloring and mix in completely.

    lilac cupcakes and fresh lilac flower garnish

    How to Make Lilac Syrup

    You can check out my post for the complete recipe to make Lilac Simple Syrup. You will need 1 cup of water, 1 cup of sugar, and 1 cup of fresh lilac flowers that have been rinsed and de-stemmed.

    Bring the ingredients to a boil in a small saucepan, remove from the heat, and allow the mixture to steep and cool for 2-3 hours. Once cool, add purple food coloring and store it in a sealable container.

    lilac syrup and fresh lilac flowers on a table

    How to Make Lilac Sugar

    You can make your own lilac sugar in a small coffee/nut grinder, food processor, or blender. Place ¼ cup sugar and 1 tablespoon fresh lilac flowers in the grinder. Pulse about 6-8 times just until combined.

    Place the lilac sugar in an airtight container until you are ready to use it. You can store the sugar for several weeks in a sealed container.

    lilacs and sugar in a grinder
    fresh lilac flowers and sugar in a grinder
    lilac sugar in a grinder
    lilac sugar in a grinder

    Recipe FAQs

    Which lilac flowers can I use for this recipe?

    Ensure you use only lilac flowers that have not been sprayed with chemicals. Rinse the flowers and remove them from the stem before eating or using them in these recipes.

    Are all lilac flowers edible?

    Not all lilac flowers are edible, and it's important to exercise caution when considering their culinary use. While some lilac varieties have edible flowers, others may be toxic. The common lilac (Syringa vulgaris), often grown for its fragrant flowers, is generally considered safe to use in small quantities for culinary purposes, such as in salads or as a garnish.

    Can I use artificial lilac flavoring instead of real lilac flowers?

    Yes, you can use artificial lilac flavoring or extracts if you prefer not to use real lilac flowers. These flavorings can provide a similar taste and aroma without the need for fresh flowers.

    How do I store these cupcakes?

    Store these lilac cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature for 1-2 days or in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. For longer storage, you can freeze them for several weeks without the frosting.

    Can I make these cupcakes gluten-free or vegan?

    Yes, you can adapt this cupcake recipe to be gluten-free or vegan by using the correct flour substitutes and non-dairy ingredients like vegan butter and almond milk. Keep in mind the texture and flavor may change slightly.

    More Edible Flower Recipes

    • sliced lemon lavender tart
      Lemon Lavender Tart
    • lilac-cocktail
      Lilac Gin Sour
    • lavender simple syrup in a flip top bottle.
      Lavender Simple Syrup
    • a lavender lemon cupcake with fresh lavender on top
      Lemon Lavender Cupcakes

    If you get a chance to make these Lilac Cupcakes with Lilac Buttercream, tag me on Instagram or Facebook and show me, or leave a review below! You can also follow me on Pinterest and sign up for my e-mail list to receive more fun and delicious recipes right in your inbox.

    lilac cupcake on a platter

    Lilac Cupcakes and Lilac Buttercream Frosting

    These Lilac Cupcakes and Lilac Buttercream frosting are beautiful to make and even more delicious to eat!
    5 from 33 votes
    Print Pin Rate Save Recipe Recipe Saved!
    Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Cooling Time: 25 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 1 hour hour
    Servings: 10 cupcakes
    Calories: 312kcal
    Author: Emily
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    Equipment

    • stand mixer or hand mixer
    • cupcake pan
    • cupcake liners
    • piping bag and tip
    • medium mixing bowl
    • large mixing bowl
    • silicone or rubber spatula
    • small saucepan for syrup
    • small coffee/nut grinder, food processor, or blender for lilac sugar

    Ingredients

    Lilac Cupcakes

    • 1 cup all-purpose flour
    • 1 teaspoon baking powder
    • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
    • 3 tablespoon unsalted butter, room temp
    • ¾ cup lilac sugar (see notes)
    • 1 large egg, room temp
    • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
    • 2 tablespoon lilac syrup (see notes)
    • ½ cup milk, room temp

    Lilac Frosting

    • 1 cup unsalted butter, room temp (2 sticks)
    • 4 cups powdered confectioners sugar
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 4 tablespoon lilac syrup (see notes)
    • 2-3 tablespoon milk
    • purple food coloring (or red and blue)
    • fresh lilac flowers for decoration

    Instructions

    Lilac Cupcakes

    • Preheat the oven to 350°F and prepare the cupcake pan with cupcake liners.
    • Sift the flour, baking powder, and salt together in a medium mixing bowl and set aside. In the bowl of a mixer or a large mixing bowl, cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, about 4-5 minutes. Add the egg, lemon zest, and lilac syrup and mix in.
    • Add half of the dry ingredients and mix into the sugar mixture using a spatula or spoon (you don't want to overmix the flour!). Add half of the milk and combine. Repeat until all of the ingredients have been mixed in.
    • Fill liners with batter and bake for 15-18 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Do not overbake. Allow the cupcake to cool in the pan for 5 minutes and then place them on a cooling rack to cool completely before frosting.

    Lilac Frosting

    • In a large mixing bowl or stand mixer, whip the butter until light and fluffy, about 4-5 minutes.
    • Add 2 cups of powdered sugar, one cup at a time, and mix in completely. Put in the vanilla, milk, and lilac syrup and combine. Add the rest of the powdered sugar and continue beating until the frosting is smooth. Add the food coloring and mix in completely.
    • Frost the cooled cupcakes using a piping bag and tip of choice (I used Wilton 2D). Add fresh lilac flowers on top of each cupcake for aroma and decoration. Enjoy immediately.

    Notes

    • Ensure you use only lilac flowers that have not been sprayed with chemicals. Rinse the flowers and remove them from the stem before eating or using them in these recipes.
    • Make your own lilac sugar in your coffee grinder! Place ¼ cup sugar and 1 tablespoon lilac flowers in your coffee grinder. Pulse until combined. Place in an airtight container until ready to use. 
    • Make your own lilac syrup by steeping lilac flowers in a simple syrup. Add 1 cup sugar, 1 cup water, and 1 cup lilac flowers in a small saucepan. Being to a boil and remove from the heat. Allow the syrup to steep and cool for 2-3 hours. Strain the flowers from the syrup, add purple food coloring, and store them in an airtight container in the fridge. 

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1cupcake | Calories: 312kcal | Carbohydrates: 38.2g | Protein: 1.9g | Fat: 18.1g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Cholesterol: 64mg | Sodium: 62mg | Potassium: 66mg | Fiber: 0.3g | Sugar: 29.7g | Calcium: 34mg | Iron: 1mg

    Any nutrition calculations are only estimates using online calculators. Please verify using your own data.

    Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @EmilyFabulous_Blog or tag #emilyfabulous!
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    Comments

    1. Mandy says

      May 04, 2024 at 9:28 am

      I’ve tried these twice and the buttercream keeps splitting . What am I doing wrong?

      Reply
      • Emily says

        May 04, 2024 at 2:32 pm

        Hi Mandy, It sounds like your butter may be too cold. When you try again, you can add a few tablespoons of shortening to the mixture and ensure you beat it thoroughly until smooth. Or, if you have the same experience, warm up the bowl with your hands a little so the butter can emulsify. Feel free to send me pictures if you have any, but I hope we can get this right for you. I love these cupcakes!

        Reply
        • Mandy says

          May 08, 2024 at 11:17 am

          I did let the butter sit out for a few hours. It seems to happen when I add the lilac syrup. I was going to try mixing the syrup with the milk before adding it, but I’ll try the shortening too. I’m not seeing an option to send a pic. Thanks for the reply.

        • Mandy says

          May 09, 2024 at 7:50 am

          I think I figured it out. I think the milk and lilac syrup were too cold when I put them in the buttercream. Do you usually use room temperature milk?

        • Emily says

          May 09, 2024 at 7:13 pm

          Hi Mandy, to be honest, not always, but that could be what happened. I hope your next batch turns out awesome!

    2. duniakagyan says

      November 17, 2022 at 5:21 am

      These look delicious! I will definitely try it.

      Reply
    3. Linda says

      May 23, 2021 at 9:06 pm

      The frosting recipe says to add milk, but it is not listed in the ingredients. Just wondering how much?

      Reply
      • Emily says

        May 23, 2021 at 10:13 pm

        Hi Linda, sorry about that. 2-3 tbsp of milk for the frosting. Enjoy!

        Reply
    4. Cindy Mom the Lunch Lady says

      May 03, 2021 at 10:41 pm

      5 stars
      This recipe is making me want to find a lilac tree somewhere to make it! Lilacs are my favourite type of trees and I am so intrigued by the syrup and sugar you've created. YUM!!

      Reply
      • Emily says

        May 03, 2021 at 11:34 pm

        Lilacs bloom super early here in the Pacific Northwest but I hope you find a tree soon. They are just so lovely on their own and fun to work with in the kitchen.

        Reply
    5. Mihaela|https://theworldisanoyster.com/ says

      May 03, 2021 at 7:53 am

      5 stars
      Lilac is my favourite spring flower, and I had no idea it was edible! These must be the most beautiful cupcakes I've seen!

      Reply
      • Emily says

        May 03, 2021 at 3:34 pm

        I LOVE the way lilacs smell so I had to find out if I could get that fragrance in the kitchen and you can!!

        Reply
    6. Michelle says

      May 02, 2021 at 3:06 pm

      5 stars
      These are so pretty! I think I'm going to make them for my sister's bridal shower.

      Reply
      • Emily says

        May 02, 2021 at 4:38 pm

        Great idea, these will be a hit at the shower!

        Reply
    7. Inga says

      May 02, 2021 at 10:31 am

      5 stars
      These look so beautiful! I love the color and the fresh flowers on top 🙂

      Reply
      • Emily says

        May 02, 2021 at 4:39 pm

        Thanks, Inga. Fresh flowers make everything better 😊.

        Reply
    8. Jeannie says

      May 02, 2021 at 1:33 am

      5 stars
      so beatiful cupcakes! how to eat 😋😋 interesting addition of lilac flowers

      Reply
      • Emily says

        May 02, 2021 at 3:20 am

        Thank you!! 😊

        Reply
    9. Cooking with Carbs says

      May 02, 2021 at 12:30 am

      5 stars
      These look so amazing! I love making cupcakes with buttercream icing, but I've never used lilacs before. I love the idea that you're using these edible flowers to add to the flavor and aroma. I'll have to try this soon!

      Reply
      • Emily says

        May 02, 2021 at 3:21 am

        Cooking and baking with edible flowers is fo fun...and delicious!

        Reply
    10. Jamie says

      May 01, 2021 at 8:17 pm

      5 stars
      These are so delicious and beautiful! Love the color!

      Reply
      • Emily says

        May 02, 2021 at 3:21 am

        Thanks, Jamie!

        Reply
    11. Nora says

      May 01, 2021 at 8:14 pm

      5 stars
      What a lovely recipe! And those cupcakes are sooo beautiful! Can’t wait to try your recipe out! Thank you for sharing!

      Reply
      • Emily says

        May 02, 2021 at 3:21 am

        You are really going to like this one, Nora.

        Reply
    « Older Comments
    5 from 33 votes (12 ratings without comment)

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    Hi, I'm Emily! I'm excited to share my passions, experiments, and fun with you. I love to cook, bake, create recipes, mix cocktails and try new things!

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