Lemon Meringue Pie Cupcakes

I must admit that this isn't a recipe of mine, but it is an amazing one that everyone loves, and has the WOW factor! 
this is in fact from the Hummingbird Bakery book 'Cake Days' but i thought id share it with you.





















Makes 12-16 Cupcakes

Ingredients 

For the Cake: 

80g butter 
280g caster sugar 
240g plain flour 
1 tbsp baking powder 
1/4 tsp salt 
1 tsp finely grated lemon zest 
2 large eggs 
240ml whole milk 

For the Filling and Italian Meringue: 

70g lemon curd (but i always end up using a whole jar)
200g caster sugar 
4 egg whites 
(this makes a lot more italian meringue than needed so you can just half the quantities and it should be more than enough)


Method 

1. preheat oven to 190c 

2. beat together the butter, sugar, flour, baking powder, salt and lemon zest with an electric whisk, until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs. 

3. break the eggs into a jug, add the milk and beat together with a fork. add half to the dry ingredients and beat until incorporated, add in the rest of the milk mixture and mix again until smooth. 

4. spoon into paper cases in a muffin tray (only fill about two thirds full) pop in the oven and bake for 18-20 minutes or until they spring back to the touch. remove from tins and leave to cool. 

5. for the meringue put the sugar in a small saucepan and cover with about 150ml of water and bring to the boil. meanwhile whisk the egg whites until just foamy. 

6. allow the sugar to boil for about 5-10 mins, or until a forms a little ball when you drop some into ice cold water. then slowly pour into the egg whites whilst whisking on high speed. when all the sugar is added keep whisking until it has quadrupled in size and it is smooth, white and shiny. 

7. once the cupcakes are cooled, hollow them out and pack them with lemon curd, replacing the lid after, trimming to fit if needed. 

8. top the cakes with the meringue and either brown them with a blowtorch or pop them under a grill for a few seconds. (keep an eye on them! i have lost many a cupcake to burnt meringue!) 


And there you have it, lemon meringue pie cupcakes. the Italian meringue is tricky so don't hesitate to comment with problems, or just comment if you're going to make them, or just like the look of the recipe!