These lemon cupcakes are light, fluffy and filled with a burst of tangy homemade lemon curd. Topped with smooth lemon buttercream, they’re a citrus lover’s dream in cupcake form.
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I've been so disappointed the last couple of months because I keep missing out on the Sweet Adventures Blog Hop. I don't know how I miss it (must have had something to do with buying a house and going overseas the last two months) but this month I am in.
Even if you don't know what I'm talking about I'm sure you've assumed something with 'sweet adventures' in the name is bound to be good and you will have assumed correctly.
Each month, food bloggers from across the world (well at least I think, might just be us Aussies) gather and share our sweet goodies related to the month's theme, chosen by the host. This month it's a Sweet Surprise hosted by Love SWAH.
My recipe - lemon cupcakes with lemon curd filling - is extra special because it's the first recipe featuring lemons picked from my very own lemon tree!
I went all out in lemony goodness - lemon pound cake cupcakes, which would make a rather tasty loaf cake just on their own, are filled with homemade lemon curd, topped with lemon buttercream icing and finished with a sprinkling of lemon zest.
You would think one bite and you'd be making a face like you'd just sucked a sour warhead (anyone remember those?) but it's not like that at all.
The sweetness of the icing and the cake provides a nice balance for all that lemony goodness, I promise.
What's the surprise? The blob of lemon curd hidden underneath the lemon buttercream icing. I'm very glad that I gave most of these away because I fear they would have all ended up in my stomach otherwise.
You can use store-bought lemon curd if you like but I encourage you to try making is using Celia's microwave recipe. It's so very easy and quick to make. I fear I'll be making rather often now I have a constant supply of lemons. Enjoy!
Recipe
Lemon cupcakes with lemon curd filling
Ingredients
Cakes
- 250 g 8oz butter
- 250 g 8oz caster (superfine) sugar
- 2 tablespoon lemon zest
- 4 large free-range eggs
- 200 g self-raising flour
- 50 g almond meal
Filling
Icing
- 4 tablespoon butter softened
- 2 teaspoon lemon zest
- 2 cups icing confectioner's sugar
- 2 tablespoon lemon juice
- Extra lemon zest for decoration
Instructions
- Pre-heat the oven to 160C (320F) fan-forced and line two 12-hole muffin trays with cupcake liners.
- In a food processor, process the butter, sugar and lemon zest until smooth.
- Add the egg, one at at time and mix them through.
- Scrape down the sides then add the flour and almond meal and process until smooth (you may need to scrape down the sides again so there are no dry parts).
- Divide the batter between the cupcake liners and bake for 25-30 minutes or until a cake tester inserted in the middle of a cupcake comes out clean.
- Transfer the cakes to a wire rack to cool completely.
- While the cakes are cooling make the icing.
- In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat the butter and lemon zest together until smooth and creamy.
- Slowly add the icing sugar, pour in the lemon juice and increase the speed.
- Keep beating until the icing is light and fluffy.
- If the icing is too thick, add a little milk or water to thin it so you can pip it.
- When the cake have cooled, use a sharp knife to cut a cone-shaped hole in the top of each of the cupcakes.
- Spoon a half a teaspoon of lemon curd on each one.
- Using a piping bag, pipe icing on top of the cakes to cover the lemon curd.
- Sprinkle with extra lemon zest.
Nutrition
Lucinda Simpson says
Can you freeze these cupcakes? I’ve never tried it but I’ve read you can freeze buttercream and lemon curd so I am hoping.
Claire says
Yes I don't see why not. You might like to try freezing the cupcakes and lemon filling separate, then once it comes time to defrosting the cupcakes add the filling in then to ensure they don't go too soggy in the defrosting process. Good luck!
Becky says
Do these need to be refrigerated if you’re not serving them right away?
Claire says
Yes that would be best Becky
cathy says
reviving an old thread :p
i made these over the weekend for friends and family and oh my were these lemon curd cupcakes delicious and popular. everyone loved it. felt like i was in heaven after that first bite and was so sad towards that last bite :p just wanted to say thanks so much for sharing this awesome and yummy treat with the rest of us and i will definitely be making these again.
Claire says
Oh Cathy I know the feeling of sadness as you get to the end of something delicious. At least with cupcakes there are usually more? You're very welcome and I'm glad they were a hit.
Chloe Duffy says
Hi Claire,
I'm just a bit curious to why you use almond meal in this recipe?
Usually you see almond meal and raspberries together?
Claire says
Hi Chloe. No particular reason other than I thought I'd give it a go! You could add a raspberry on top that would be quite delicious!
Claire says
Hi Claire,
Just wondering if I could use oranges to make this recipe?
Claire says
Hi Claire. You sure can!
Joanna Norland says
Stumbled on this when I was looking for inspiration for what to do with some leftover lemon curd I made. Looks fantastic - I'll give it a go this weekend. your photography is lovely, though living in the UK, I'm green (yellow?) with envy about the idea of having a lemon or lime tree!
Claire says
Thanks so much Joanna! Haha yes you can be yellow with envy. I was so excited when I realised we had one!
Nic@diningwithastud says
I've been toying with getting myself a lemon tree :) you've inspired me! They look great!
Claire says
Do it Nic!
Stephanie@Henry Happened says
lemon is so refreshing, I love it in summer sweets!
Claire says
Isn't it! Give me anything lemon flavoured and I'm happy!
GourmetGetaways says
It looks like great minds think alike ;)
I love your cupcakes... it makes me wish I had some of my own left still :)
Claire says
They do indeed GG!
Liz @ I Spy Plum Pie says
These look delicious! My mum has heaps of lemon and lime trees and we're always trying to come up with new ways of using the hundreds of lemons they seem to produce. I love lemon curd to putting it in a cupcake sounds like an excellent idea!
Claire says
Definitely Liz. I'm sure they'd be quite delicious in a lime version too.
Maureen | Orgasmic Chef says
I love your cupcakes. Anything with lemon curd would make me happy!
Claire says
Well I know what to make when you visit Maureen!
The Life of Clare says
I love sour warheads! I've made a similar cupcake when our lime tree went berserk last year. They were delicious!
Claire says
I just loved watching people eat them. Oh so hilarious!
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella says
OMG they are adorable!! Love the cross section pic! And Swah seems so lovely too :D
Claire says
Thanks Lorraine!
Kyrstie @ A Fresh Legacy says
These look fabulous Claire. I adore lemon curd. A lovely way to enjoy some of your home grown lemons :)
Claire says
Thanks Kyrstie!
Chris says
I'm 100% sure those are delicious. After all, they look already lovely and I have tasted some sweet treats with a lemon curd filling before. However, I guess if I have to wait until my lemon tree bears some fruits, I would never manage to make my own lemon curd.
Claire says
Thanks Chris! I'm sure you could make your own curd with Celia's recipe. It's super easy!
JJ - 84thand3rd says
So glad you were able to join us this month! Mostly Aussies but a few from around the world ;D Lemon is one of my favourite flavours and these sound simply perfect - and even better that they are from your own tree!
Claire says
Me too JJ! Let's hope I don't forget next month!
Tania @ The Cook's Pyjamas says
Yum. My lemon tree is laden at the moment, so I might just have to give these a go. Thanks.
Claire says
You're very welcome Tania I hope you like them!
celia says
Claire, thank you for the shout-out, very kind of you, as I think you make the lemon curd more often than I do these days! :) And it HAS to be better now it's made with your own lemons! We're finally getting lemons this year on our tree, and it's been such a joy! xx
Claire says
No Celia thank you for the recipe! I probably do! Oh so delicious. I just saw your lemons on instagram. How exciting!
Swah says
Oh these look absolutely divine, I almost want to lick my screen! I love lemon cupcakes and the thought of biting into a lemon curd-filled one.... yum! And may I ask where did you get your cute mini cupcake stand from?
Claire says
Of course you may. Hate to disappoint you though... it's from NYC.