How much lemon juice should I add?

[flobadob]

I want to make fairycakes/cupcakes with a lemon taste. I usually use 4oz of margarine, flour, caster sugar and two eggs for my mixture which makes around 12. I don't have any lemons, only lemon juice at the moment. So how much juice should I add to the mixture to make them taste nice and lemony without tasting sour or bitter?

[vodkancoke]

Probably around a teaspoon for that mixture.

[flobadob]

Thanks, I'll try that. Might put some lemon flavoured icing on top too, but I can taste it first.

[flobadob]

I put in 2 teaspoons but you wouldn't really notice it was lemon after the bake. Maybe something like lemon extract would be better. Or maybe the lemon icing will help matters.

[vodkancoke]

When I make lemon cake I only use the lemon rind in the cake and use fresh lemon juice mixed with caster sugar for the topping. You skewer the cake while still warm and spoon the topping over it and you get a really lemony flavour.

[flobadob]

Is that like Lemon Drizzle Cake vod? Could you give me the ratios of sugar to juice please cos I think that could work with wee buns too rather than one large cake.

[gingejbee]

Not sure that lemon juice added to the mixture will make it taste of lemon, that you will notice. Usually lemon oil, essence or zest gives a lemon flavour.

[vodkancoke]

Hey flob. I usually squeeze 2 lemons and add 4-5 tbsp of caster sugar. Mix well and spoon over the cakes. Even if you put no lemon in the cake mix, the lemon flavour will be there if you skewer the cakes first.

[vodkancoke]

Sorry, squeeze 1 lemon rather than 2. I also just remembered you have no lemons so use about 2 tbsp juice and 5 tbsp caster sugar. It should be quite thick.

[flobadob]

Well I've got them made now, using icing sugar mixed with lemon juice on top. They are okay but not great, though I'll see what the person I'm making them for thinks of them.

I will be trying the skewer idea some other day though, thanks.