Raspberry Lemon Cupcakes

Instructions

To make Raspberry Lemon Curd Filling:

1. In a medium saucepan, whisk the egg yolks, lemon zest and juice and sugar until well combined. Set saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring constantly with a spatula, cook mixture until it’s thick enough to coat the back of the spatula, about 8-10 minutes.
2. Remove from heat and whisk in the butter, one piece at a time, stirring constantly until smooth. Once smooth, strain through a fine sieve into a small bowl. Combine the lemon curd with raspberry preserve/ puree. Press plastic wrap onto the surface of the curd and refrigerate until chilled, at least an hour or up to a day. This recipe makes about a cup of lemon curd. You wont use it all for the filling. Use leftovers to top pancakes, top ice cream etc.

To make Cupcakes:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line muffin tins with cupcake liners.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and salt.
3. In a large bowl, combine the sugar and lemon zest. Rub with your fingertips until fragrant and sugar is moist. Using an electric mixer, beat the butter and sugar mixture together until pale and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes on medium speed. Add eggs one at a time, beating until just combined after each addition. Beat in lemon juice, vanilla and almond extracts.
4. Reduce mixer speed to low and slowly add half of the flour mixture to the batter. Add the buttermilk and beat until just combined. Add the rest of the flour and mix until just combined. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed. Do not over-mix.
5. Divide batter into prepared tins. Fill each liner about ⅔ full. Bake cupcakes until lightly golden or a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 12-14 minutes. Remove cupcakes from pan and cool completely on a wire rack.

For the Raspberry Frosting:

1. Whip butter for 8 minutes on medium speed using the paddle attachment of an electric mixer. The butter will become pale and creamy.
2. Add the rest of the ingredients and mix on low speed for 1 minute. Then increase speed to medium and mix for 6 minutes until the frosting is light, creamy and fluffy.
3. Fill cupcakes with a teaspoon of raspberry lemon curd filling. Frost cooled cupcakes using your favorite decorating tip. I used Wilton Tip 2D for these cupcakes.