Method
Step 1:
For the lemon curd, place the sugar and lemon juice in a heatproof bowl, then add the eggs and butter. Don’t allow the mixture to sit around; start whisking immediately as the sugar and acidity of lemons will start to cook the eggs.
Step 2:
Place the bowl over a pan of gently simmering water, but be careful that the bowl doesn't touch the water. Cook over gentle heat, whisking all the time until butter melted and mixture has thickened. The mixture will continue to thicken on cooling. Place the curd in sterilised jar and put to one side while prepare the sponge.
Step 3:
For the cupcake sponge, preheat the oven to 180°C and line a cupcake tray with paper cases.
Step 4:
Cream the butter, sugar and vanilla seeds together in a large mixing bowl until pale, fluffy and well combined.
Step 5:
Crack in the eggs, one at a time, and beat until both are fully incorporated into the mixture.
Step 6:
Fold in the flour, candied lemon zest if using and lemon zest until well combined.
Step 7:
Place a couple teaspoons of batter in the bottom of the cases and add a teaspoonful of lemon curd to the middle of each cupcake and then cover with a little more mixture.
Step 8:
Bake the cupcakes in the oven for 15-20 minutes, or until they are pale golden-brown and spring back when pressed lightly in the centre.
Step 9:
For the meringue, make a sugar syrup by dissolving sugar in water over a gentle heat.
Step 10:
Whisk the egg whites until soft peaks and doubled in volume. Gradually add the sugar syrup while you continue to whisk, being careful that the syrup doesn’t touch the whisks/beaters. Keep whisking continuously, until the meringue mixture is thick and glossy and has cooled down – check by feeling the side of the mixing bowl.
Step 11:
Spoon the meringue in a piping bag and pipe some meringue on the top of each cake, using a blow torch, lightly brown the top of each cake to toast the meringue. Finish with lemon zest and sprinkling icing sugar.
Ingredients
For the lemon curd
- 175g Billington's Unrefined Golden Caster Sugar
- Lemon juice (from 2 lemons)
- 2 Egg(s) (free range)
- 110g Butter (unsalted) (cut into cubes)
- 175g Billington's Unrefined Golden Caster Sugar
For the cupcake sponge
- 100g Butter (unsalted) (softened)
- 100g Billington's Unrefined Golden Caster Sugar
- 1 Vanilla pods (seeds scraped out using a sharp knife)
- 2 Egg(s) (free range)
- 100g Self-raising white flour
- 1 Lemon zest
- 3 tbsp Candied lemon zest ((from specialist cake decorating shops))
- 75g Lemon curd (from recipe above)
For the italian meringue
- 2 Egg white(s) (free range)
- 50ml Water
- 100 Billington's Unrefined Golden Caster Sugar
- 1 Lemon(s) (strips from the rind, to decorate)
- Icing sugar (to dust)
Recipe Reviews
These cupcakes are utterly lemonly and delectable. They went down insanely well with my family and neighbours and I have even been asked by my daughter to make them again for her upcoming birthday! The meringue topping is so light in comparison to the traditional buttercream which makes for a lovely change.
Even though I was terrified of using a blowtorch for fear of having no eyebrows anymore, it really is the best to finish it off and I recommend you to use one if you have it. I also must urge you to buy a sugar thermometer if you haven’t got one already because it is ideal for making the sugar syrup and knowing you have the right temperature rather than just guessing.
Thank you for the delicious recipe.
I followed the recipe on the episode. I didn’t get enough batter for 6 cupcakes but I suspect that my tins were too big. Still delicious though. Very lemony and not too sweet.
Delicious. First time making the Italian meringue and it made great alternative to topping with butter cream, making a lighter result. Cheated with good quality bought lemon curd. Making again today, think they'll become a favourite.
Ingredients
For the lemon curd
- 175g Billington's Unrefined Golden Caster Sugar
- Lemon juice (from 2 lemons)
- 2 Egg(s) (free range)
- 110g Butter (unsalted) (cut into cubes)
- 175g Billington's Unrefined Golden Caster Sugar
For the cupcake sponge
- 100g Butter (unsalted) (softened)
- 100g Billington's Unrefined Golden Caster Sugar
- 1 Vanilla pods (seeds scraped out using a sharp knife)
- 2 Egg(s) (free range)
- 100g Self-raising white flour
- 1 Lemon zest
- 3 tbsp Candied lemon zest ((from specialist cake decorating shops))
- 75g Lemon curd (from recipe above)
For the italian meringue
- 2 Egg white(s) (free range)
- 50ml Water
- 100 Billington's Unrefined Golden Caster Sugar
- 1 Lemon(s) (strips from the rind, to decorate)
- Icing sugar (to dust)