Description
These lemon meringue cupcakes are filled with bright lemon curd and topped with toasted Italian meringue. A light, citrusy dessert with a dramatic finish.
Ingredients
For the cupcakes:
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/2 tbsp lemon zest
2 tbsp lemon juice
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup whole milk or buttermilk
For the lemon curd:
1/2 cup lemon juice (fresh)
2 tsp lemon zest
3 egg yolks
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup unsalted butter
For the meringue:
3 large egg whites
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup water
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F and line a muffin tin with 12 cupcake liners.
2. Cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time. Mix in vanilla, lemon zest, and juice.
3. Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl. Alternate adding dry ingredients and milk to the batter.
4. Divide batter evenly in cupcake liners and bake for 18–20 minutes. Cool completely.
5. Meanwhile, make lemon curd by whisking yolks, juice, zest, and sugar over medium heat. Stir constantly until thickened, then stir in butter and chill.
6. Make a hole in the center of each cooled cupcake and spoon or pipe in chilled lemon curd.
7. To make meringue, whip egg whites until foamy. Simmer sugar and water to 240°F and slowly stream into egg whites while whipping. Beat until stiff, glossy peaks form.
8. Pipe meringue onto each cupcake and torch until golden.
Notes
These cupcakes are best enjoyed the same day for peak meringue texture, but they can be refrigerated up to 2 days. Bring to room temp before serving.
Don’t skip the chilling step for lemon curd—it thickens beautifully once cooled.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cupcake
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 28g
- Sodium: 105mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: lemon meringue cupcakes, lemon curd cupcakes, meringue frosting