Meyer Lemon Cupcakes with Buttercream Frosting

For the lemon curd:

In a medium sized mixing bowl, combine the lemon zest and sugar. Mix until combined. Set aside.

In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the butter until light and fluffy. Add sugar/zest mixture and beat for another minute.

Add eggs, lemon juice and salt. Beat for another two minutes.

Pour mixture into a non-aluminum pot. Heat over low/medium heat, stirring constantly. Cook for five minutes being sure to stir continuously.

Reduce heat to low. Scoop out about two tablespoons of the mixture and mix with the cornstarch in a ramekin or other small bowl. Once thoroughly combined, pour the cornstarch mixture back into pot and turn heat back up to medium-high and continue cooking for another eight to ten minutes. Be sure to continue stirring as it heats.

When the mixture comes to a simmer and thickens, remove from heat. Pour into a bowl and chill for several hours.

For the cupcakes:

Preheat oven to 350ºF. Line a 12-count cupcake pan with liners or grease the pan.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside.

In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs (whole and whites), milk, vanilla, lemon zest and lemon juice. Beat for another two minutes. Pour the dry ingredients into the wet and slowly mix until fully combined.

Line one cupcake pan with liners.

Scoop into muffin cups. (I filled mine just over ¾ full). Bake for 22-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.

For the buttercream:

In the large bowl of your stand mixer, beat butter, confectioners’ sugar, milk, lemon juice and zest until fluffy. This will take about three to four minutes.

Once the cupcakes are cool and the curd has set, cut a circle out of the top center of each cupcake. Be sure to leave the circle intact as you will be placing the cap back on the cupcakes once filled.

Scoop out enough of the cake center to create a well for the curd. Scoop some curd into the well in the center of the cupcake. Cap with the center you removed.

Frost with buttercream frosting.