Description
Mary Berry’s Lemon Curd Cupcakes are classic vanilla cupcakes filled with zesty homemade lemon curd and topped with a swirl of lemon buttercream. The combination of the sweet cake, tart lemon curd, and creamy frosting creates a delightful balance of flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Cupcakes:
- 175g (6 oz) self-raising flour
- 175g (6 oz) caster sugar
- 175g (6 oz) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 3 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Lemon Curd:
- 2 large lemons, zest and juice
- 100g (3.5 oz) caster sugar
- 50g (1.75 oz) unsalted butter, cubed
- 2 large eggs, beaten
For the Lemon Buttercream:
- 125g (4.5 oz) unsalted butter, softened
- 250g (9 oz) icing sugar, sifted
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- Zest of 1 lemon
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Lemon Curd
- Mix the Ingredients: In a heatproof bowl, combine the lemon zest, juice, sugar, and butter.
- Cook the Curd: Place the bowl over a pan of simmering water, ensuring the bowl doesn’t touch the water. Stir the mixture until the butter has melted and the sugar is dissolved.
- Add the Eggs: Slowly whisk in the beaten eggs, continuing to stir the mixture until it thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon. This will take about 10-15 minutes.
- Cool the Curd: Once thickened, remove the lemon curd from the heat and pour it into a clean jar. Allow it to cool completely before using.
Step 2: Bake the Cupcakes
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake cases.
- Make the Batter: In a large mixing bowl, combine the self-raising flour, caster sugar, butter, baking powder, eggs, and vanilla extract. Beat together until smooth and creamy.
- Fill the Cases: Spoon the batter evenly into the cupcake cases, filling each about two-thirds full.
- Bake: Bake the cupcakes in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes, or until they are golden brown and a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool the Cupcakes: Remove the cupcakes from the oven and let them cool in the tin for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Step 3: Fill the Cupcakes
- Core the Cupcakes: Once the cupcakes are cool, use a small knife or a cupcake corer to remove a small section from the center of each cupcake.
- Add the Lemon Curd: Spoon or pipe the cooled lemon curd into the hollowed-out centers of the cupcakes.
Step 4: Prepare the Lemon Buttercream
- Beat the Butter: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter until creamy and pale.
- Add the Icing Sugar: Gradually add the sifted icing sugar, beating well after each addition.
- Add the Lemon: Mix in the lemon juice and zest, beating until the buttercream is smooth and fluffy.
Step 5: Frost the Cupcakes
- Pipe or Spread the Frosting: Use a piping bag fitted with a star nozzle to pipe the lemon buttercream onto each cupcake, or simply spread it with a knife for a more rustic look.
- Garnish (Optional): For an extra touch, garnish the cupcakes with a small piece of lemon zest or a sprinkle of edible glitter.