The Preparation!: Lemon Meringue Cupcakes

So the Boyface's birthday is tomorrow and I wanted to make something he would enjoy and share with people in celebration of it. I had three flavors he liked in mind for cupcakes (1) oreo (2) peanut butter cup and (3) lemon. I decided on the lemon because I rarely if ever make anything that is citrusy. The desserts I make always end up with an element of chocolate. :P

So I am using the book Cupcakes by Shelly Kaldunski for the different components of this cupcake and a website recipe. 

Lemon Cupcakes

Bake for 18-20 minutes @ 350 degrees F

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 tsp baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

3/4 cup sugar

1/2 cup + 2 tablespoon room temp. unsalted better

2 room temp. large eggs

1 tsp freshly grated lemon zest

1/2 tsp lemon extract

1/4 cup sour cream

• Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt
• In separate bowl: beat sugar and butter together with electric mixer (2-3 minutes)
• Add eggs, lemon zest, and lemon extract, and beat until combined
• Add flour mixture (1 minute)
• Add sour cream and beat until combined

Lemon Custard Filling

1/2 cup sugar

3 tablespoons cornstarch

1/4 teaspoon salt

2 egg yolks

3/4 cup water

1/3 cup lemon juice

2 tablespoon butter

• In a large saucepan or double boiler combine sugar, cornstarch and salt. Mix well, then add the water
• Do NOT mix the water with the egg yolks. Beat the yolks separately. 
• Heat on med stirring constantly until thick and bubbly. Mixture will be VERY thick. 
• Temper water mixture into the yolks slowly until you have incorporated half of the mixture into the yolks.
• Pour the yolk mixture back into the pan and cook for exactly one more minute. Remove from heat and blend in the lemon juice. Then blend in the butter and beat for 30 seconds.
• Cover with plastic wrap until completely cooled.

Meringue Frosting

3 large egg whites

1/2 cup sugar

2 tablespoon water

1 tablespoon light corn syrup

1/2 teaspoon extract

• In clean heatproof bowl: Combine egg whites, sugar, water, and corn syrup.
• Hold bowl over a simmering pot of water
• Stir constantly until sugar is dissolved
• Use electric mixer on high, beat mixture until glossy and voluminous (5 minutes)
• Add vanilla!
• Use right away, can torch the tops slightly.

Caramel Designs

1 cup of sugar

• cook on medium-high heat until amber in color
• make designs on parchment paper
• let cool and peel off
• Decorate!