Friday, May 29, 2009

Lemon Cupcakes with Lemon Curd



We've been on a testing hunt for the ideal cupcake. I've tried a few and they were fine but I must admit, this one from Ina Garten's "Barefoot Contessa Parties" is remarkable. If you're looking for her recipe in the book, it's really her Lemon Cake recipe with Lemon Glaze. I just altered things a little to make them work. I also noticed, or rather Psychgrad pointed it out to me, that Anne from Cooking with Anne had a gorgeous looking curd filled cupcake on her blog. Hmmm...the wheels started moving. Anne really became the inspiration for the flavour and the filling.

Ingredients

1/2 pound unsalted butter (room temperature)
2 cups granulated sugar
4 extra-large eggs (room temperature)
1/3 cup grated lemon zest (6-8 lemons)(Note: I used 5 large lemons)
3 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp kosher salt
1/4 cup lemon juice
3/4 cup buttermilk at room temperature
1 tsp pure vanilla extract

Method
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line muffin cups (I used jumbo size)
2. Cream the butter and sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment for about 5 minutes (scraping sides frequently).
3. With the mixer on medium speed, add the eggs, one at a time, and the lemon zest
4. Sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a bowl. Add the flour and buttermilk mixtures alternately to the butter, beginning and ending with the flour.
5. Divide the batter evenly to muffin cups (my yeild was 27)
I used Dorie Greenspan's "Baking From My Home To Yours" recipe for the lemon curd.


Lemon Curd

1 1/4 cups sugar
3/4 stick (6 tablespoons) unsalted butter, cut into 6 pieces
1 large egg
6 large egg yolks
Freshly squeezed juice of 4 lemons

Method

1. Put all the ingredients in a medium heavy-bottomed saucepan and stir with a heatproof spatula to moisten the sugar.
2. Put the pan over medium-low heat and cook, stirring without stopping until the butter melts and the mixture thickens like custard, 4-6 minutes. (Keep your eyes on the pan because the curd can curdle quickly. It is cooked enough when you can run your finger along the spatula and the curd doesn't run into the track you've created)
Don't worry if the curd looks thin at this point - it will thicken more as it cools.
3. Remove the pan from the heat and scrape the curd into a heatproof jar or a bowl. (I sieved it through a strainer first and was glad I did).
4. Press a piece of plastic wrap against the curd to create an airtight seal and cool to room temperature before storing in the refrigerator.



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28 comments:

theUngourmet said...

These look so great! I just love lemon in cakes!

I made lemon shortcake today and I thought it smelled so wonderful when it was baking!

Steph said...

I was just thinking about making a lemon cupcake with curd today! Those look really yummy.

OhioMom said...

Oh I am so wanting one of those cupcakes, I love lemon cake/cupcakes ... and curd too? Be still my heart :)

Hopie said...

Goodness Giz, those look amazing! I'm craving them now and a minute ago, I didn't even know they existed ;-)

Christo Gonzales said...

oooohhh yeah I love a secret center!

Heather S-G said...

Now those look soooo good! I love that special treat inside, and lemon is always a winner in my book. Lovely!

Dewi said...

Wow, I can imagine how delicious this must be. Love the lemon curd in there.

That Girl said...

Add a little raspberry in there and you have the flavors of my bridal shower cake!

Lori Lynn said...

I'm not a big cupcake fan, but these look so lovely. Love lemon curd too.
I vote for these.
LL

T said...

What did you use for the icing?

kat said...

oh i bet those are fabulous!

shambo said...

You've got me drooling. I usually don't like too many desserts, but the lemon combination sounds wonderful. I want to try making the lemon curd right away. Thanks for the recipe.

Bunny said...

Now this is my kinda cuppie! I love lemon, I've never had lemon curd though. I have to try these so I can make lemon curd.

grace said...

although i'm not crazy about lemon, i have to applaud your cupcakes--they look perfect! the frosting job is terrific, and any lemon-lover would certainly enjoy them. :)

pam said...

Wow! Those look wonderful!

Valerie Harrison (bellini) said...

These remind me so much of my favourite dessert of all time lemon meringue pie.

Adam said...

I've heard quite the amazing response when it comes to that Lemon Cake recipe, and I can see why. They are like little citrus cake suns. I actually think that would be great for a wedding party thing you need. Or maybe just an excuse to eat some cake :)

elly said...

These look SO good. I am a sucker for lemon curd.

♥Rosie♥ said...

Oh my goodness Giz these cupcakes look fabulous!

Unknown said...

I love your blog Giz. I also love the comment you left on my blog about the Duck in a Barrel Cake. I felt like throwing it out the window a couple of times. When I read your post I laughed out load. Thank you.
I joined BloggerAid and I am now following you. I am putting your badge on my blog I hope you will do the same. Fondly,

noble pig said...

I licked m jar of lemon curd clean today. It looks like I'll need to get some more.

Dragon said...

These look so delicious!

Lynda said...

These look sinfully good. Perfect timing for a birthday party this weekend!

Patsyk said...

I love cupcake that are filled with something delicious in the middle! Lemon is truly a favorite flavor as well... I wish I was better at piping on icing like you!

Deborah said...

I've heard such great things about the lemon cake recipe - I can't believe I haven't made it! I love that you turned it into cupcakes - they sound amazing!

Mrs. L said...

Lemon Lemon and more lemon, completely works for me.

Anonymous said...

Scrumptious cupcakes! I would love the lemon curd inside - how wonderful!

test it comm said...

Those cupcakes look so good! I really like the lemon curd surprise!

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