Lemon meringue pie meets cupcakes in these incredible lemon curd-filled cupcakes with toasted meringue icing. They start with a vanilla sponge cupcake filled with luscious lemon curd and topped with meringue icing. To finish, the meringue icing is toasted until golden brown, giving them that signature lemon meringue pie flavor. These lemon meringue cupcakes are almost too pretty to eat… almost!
Lemon Meringue Cupcakes
Ingredients
#### Cupcakes:
- – 1 1/2 cups flour
- – 1 1/2 cups sugar
- – 1 teaspoon baking powder
- – 1 teaspoon kosher salt 1/2 if using Morton
- – 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
- – 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- – 1/4 cup water
- – 6 eggs separated
- – 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
- – 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
#### Lemon Curd:
- – 1/2 cup + 2 tablespoons lemon juice preferably Meyer
- – 3 large eggs
- – 1 large egg yolk
- – 3/4 cup sugar
- – 1 pinch salt
- – 1 cup unsalted butter
#### Meringue Frosting:
- – 4 egg whites
- – 1 cup sugar
- – 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
- – 1 teaspoon vanilla or 1 tablespoon vanilla bean paste
Instructions
#### Lemon Curd:
- In a saucepan, bring about 2 inches of water to a simmer.
- In a bowl that can sit on top of the saucepan without touching the water, add lemon juice, eggs, egg yolk, sugar, and salt. Whisk continuously over the simmering water for 10-12 minutes until thick (or until it reaches 180°F).
- Remove from heat and cool to 140°F, stirring occasionally.
- Cut the butter into 1-tablespoon pieces. Gradually whisk in the butter, one piece at a time, until fully melted and incorporated.
- Once all butter is added, the curd will be pale yellow and thick. Cover with plastic wrap directly on the surface and refrigerate until set.
#### Cupcakes:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line two 12-cup muffin pans with cupcake liners.
- Sift together flour, 3/4 cup of sugar, and salt into a medium bowl.
- In a stand mixer with the whisk attachment, beat egg yolks and 1/4 cup sugar on medium speed until thick and pale yellow, about 4 minutes. Gradually add water, oil, vanilla, and almond extract, mixing well. Transfer the mixture to a large bowl.
- Clean the mixer bowl and whisk. Beat egg whites until frothy. Add cream of tartar and continue beating until soft peaks form. Gradually add remaining 1/2 cup sugar and beat until stiff, glossy peaks form.
- Fold the yolk mixture into the egg whites. Gradually fold in dry ingredients, about 1 cup at a time, until fully incorporated.
- Divide batter among cupcake liners. Bake for about 20 minutes until golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool completely on a wire rack, about 25 minutes.
#### Meringue Frosting:
- Using a double boiler or a bowl over a pan of simmering water, combine egg whites, sugar, and cream of tartar. Heat, stirring constantly, until sugar dissolves and mixture is warm.
- Remove from heat and beat on high speed until stiff peaks form and mixture is glossy. Add vanilla and transfer to a piping bag with a tip of your choice.
#### Assembly:
- Create a 1/2-inch hole in the center of each cupcake and fill with lemon curd.
- Pipe meringue frosting on top of each cupcake.
- Toast the meringue with a kitchen torch until golden brown. If you don’t have a torch, place cupcakes under the broiler for 1-2 minutes until golden.