Lemon Meringue Cupcakes

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These cute treats were inspired by one of Martha's signature desserts.

Yield:
24

Martha loves lemon desserts, so she created these fun cupcakes that are mini versions of one of her signature dishes, Mile-High Lemon Meringue Pie. The light cupcake batter is flavored with lemon juice and zest. Then, the cupcakes are topped with homemade lemon curd and finished with a lofty seven-minute frosting that’s just like meringue. Martha pipes the frosting in tall swirls for a dramatic look. The finishing touch is using a kitchen torch to lightly brown the topping. These delicate cupcakes should be eaten immediately—but we don’t think that will be a problem!

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Directions

  1. Preheat oven, prep muffin pan, and whisk dry ingredients:

    Preheat oven to 325°F. Line standard muffin tins with paper liners. Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.

  2. Cream butter and sugar:

    With an electric mixer on medium-high speed, cream butter and sugar until pale and fluffy.

  3. Add eggs, one at a time:

    Add eggs, one at a time, beating until each is until incorporated, scraping down sides of bowl as needed. Beat in zest and vanilla.

  4. Add flour in batches, alternating with buttermilk:

    Add flour mixture in three batches, alternating with two additions of buttermilk and lemon juice, and beating until just combined after each.

  5. Divide batter and bake:

    Divide batter evenly among lined cups, filling each three-quarters full. Bake, rotating tins halfway through, until golden brown and a cake tester inserted in centers comes out clean, about 25 minutes.

  6. Cool:

    Transfer tins to wire racks to cool completely before removing cupcakes.

    Cupcakes can be stored overnight at room temperature or frozen up to 2 months in an airtight container.

  7. Top with lemon curd:

    To finish, spread 1 tablespoon lemon curd onto middle of each cupcake.

  8. Pipe frosting:

    Fill a pastry bag fitted with a large open-star tip (Ateco #828 or Wilton #8B) with frosting. Pipe frosting onto each cupcake, swirling tip slightly and releasing as you pull up to form a peak.

  9. Torch frosting to brown:

    Hold a small kitchen torch 3 to 4 inches from surface of frosting, and wave it back and forth until frosting is lightly browned all over. Serve immediately.

Other Fruit Cupcake Recipes to Try:

Martha made this recipe on Martha Bakes episode 308.

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