Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Line muffin pans with liners and set aside. In a large bowl add sugar, butter and eggs. Mix with a hand mixer until smooth. Mix in milk, vanilla extract and lemon juice until just combined.
In a separate mixing bowl combine dry ingredients and mix until combined. Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and mix on low with a hand mixer until everything is combined. Stir in lemon zest until combined.
Bake at 425 degrees F for 5 minutes, then lower temperature to 350 degrees and bake an additional 10-12 minutes or toothpick inserted into the center comes out with only a few bread crumbs. Do NOT overcook.