Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Line a 12-serving cupcake pan with paper liners. Set aside.
Dry Ingredients: Add flour, baking powder, and lemon zest to a small mixing bowl and whisk to combine. Set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter and sugar with an electric mixer.
Next, mix in the eggs until they’re fully incorporated. Then alternate adding the dry ingredients and the milk, vanilla, and lemon juice. Mixing in stages lets everything combine without overmixing. Beat until the batter is smooth.
Spoon the batter evenly into the cupcake liners in a muffin pan until each one is approximately ¾ full.
Bake for 16 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into one of the cupcakes comes out clean.
Carefully remove the cupcakes from the pan and place them on a wire cooling rack to cool completely.