Step 1: Preheat the Oven

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a muffin tin with cupcake liners. This step ensures the oven is hot and ready by the time you’ve mixed the batter, so your cupcakes bake evenly.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. This ensures that the leavening agents are evenly distributed, preventing any flat or uneven cupcakes.

Step 3: Cream the Butter and Sugar

In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This should take about 3-4 minutes with an electric mixer. Beating the butter and sugar well creates air pockets, giving your cupcakes a light and tender crumb. Next, beat in the eggs one at a time until fully incorporated, and then stir in the vanilla extract and lemon zest. The lemon zest adds a bright, citrusy flavor that pairs beautifully with the blueberries.

Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, alternating with the milk. Begin and end with the flour mixture for a smooth batter. Mix gently to avoid overworking the batter, as this can result in dense cupcakes. Once the batter is smooth and combined, fold in the fresh blueberries carefully to keep them whole and prevent them from sinking to the bottom during baking.

Step 5: Bake the Cupcakes

Divide the batter evenly among the cupcake liners, filling each liner about two-thirds full. This allows space for the cupcakes to rise. Bake in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean. Let the cupcakes cool completely on a wire rack before frosting them.

Step 6: Prepare the Frosting

While the cupcakes are cooling, prepare the cream cheese frosting. In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, beating on low speed until combined. Then, mix in the vanilla extract and lemon juice until you have a smooth and creamy frosting with a perfect balance of tanginess and sweetness.

Step 7: Frost and Garnish

Once the cupcakes have cooled completely, frost them generously with the cream cheese frosting. For an extra burst of color and flavor, garnish each cupcake with a slice of lemon or a few fresh blueberries. This not only enhances the flavor but also gives a beautiful visual presentation to your dessert.