These Lemon Meringue Cupcakes are the ultimate cupcakes with the perfect balance between tangy and sweet! Classic vanilla cupcakes filled with a buttery, luscious lemon curd, and topped with a smooth Swiss meringue frosting. This is what citrus season is all about!
The Most Luscious Lemon Curd
For these lemon meringue cupcakes you can use whatever lemon curd you have, even store bought is fine. But did you know that making your own lemon curd is super easy? All you need is a handful of ingredients, a bowl, a pot and a few utensils and 30 minutes! Most likely you should have all the ingredients at hand.
Making your own is so much better. Click the picture to get straight to my lemon curd recipe. It is so smooth, buttery and perfectly lemony! I've used lemon curd in these recipes in the past:
- Fresh Strawberry Cake with Lemon Curd
- Lemon Curd Filled Pavlova Nests with Blackberry Sauce
- Lemon Curd and Red Currants Brûlée Tarts
But you can use it pretty much everywhere butter and lemon would be tasty, and when isn't that the case?
If you want a fun variation on these cupcakes, why not try mango lime curd instead?
How to Make Swiss Meringue (Marshmallow Frosting)
Many are intimidated by making Swiss meringue, or heated meringue on the stove. I hear you, because I usually make French meringue, which is uncooked. Absolutely great when making pavlova. I choose Swiss here because it is more stable and perfect for a frosting. And just look at the glorious consistency - delicious and light marshmallowy frosting that actually can be piled high (unlike regular buttercream frostings where less is more).
And guess what? It is really easy, it's just one extra step!
In a clean, grease-free metal or glass bowl, add egg whites, sugar and salt. Over a double boiler, let the mixture melt while stirring - about 4-6 minutes (1). I like to use the bowl of the stand mixer.
A double boileris a pot with an inch or so simmering water, placing a larger bowl on top of this pot. Now the simmering water will heat the bowl on top, giving a more gentle warm-up, so it's important that the mixture isn't boiling. It's also important that the larger bowl is so large so that the water doesn't escape and goes into the egg whites (same when melting chocolate!).
The mixture is properly melted when you can't feel any grains of sugar between your (clean) fingers (2). Now place the bowl back into the stand mixer and mix on medium low for 2 minutes, until frothy. Gradually increase the speed to high, for about 5 minutes. The bowl should be cold.
The end result you're looking for is a glossy meringue that slightly holds its shape (the semi stiff peaks will turn slightly downwards as in picture 3). Add 1 teaspoon vanilla extract right at the end, quickly mix it in.
Now you're ready to add it to a piping bag with a star or round tip!
Easy Vanilla Cupcakes
In the photos, I used a different recipe for vanilla cupcakes. I realized I wanted to make the cupcakes themselves even easier, and so I went back to my classic muffin recipe. It is fluffy, buttery and oh-so-delicious.
Cream butter and sugar together for a couple of minutes, with a handheld mixer. Add in eggs, one at a time, and mix in between each. Add in buttermilk and vanilla extract, lemon juice and zest, if using. Now add the dry ingredients to the bowl; flour, baking powder and salt. Give it a mix - easy peasy!
Pour into a prepared muffin tin with liners, about ⅔ way up. Bake for 20 minutes in a pre-heated oven of 350F (180C) and cool completely on a wire rack.
Assemble the Lemon Meringue Cupcakes
To make room for the lemon curd, you can either cut a hollow in the muffins with a small, sharp knife, or even push the center down with a large decorating tip. I cut it out with a sharp knife. If you want you can add a little of the top on top of the lemon curd, so the cupcakes look whole again. I alternate between doing this, but you will have room for a little less lemon curd.
Because I didn't have a large enough decorating tip, my meringue didn't turn out that fabulous to look at. So I do recommend piping the swiss meringue with a large star or round top. Start at the center and then make large circular motions to create the beautiful mountain of meringue.
Enjoy! You may scroll down to find a printable recipe card.
I'd also recommend giving these coconut cupcakes with chocolate orange buttercream or carrot cake cupcakes a try!
Did you like this recipe? Here's more:
- Summer Berry Pavlova
- Easy Rhubarb Crisp with Raspberries
- Refreshing Hibiscus Tea
- Chocolate Pear Cake with Hazelnut Crumb Topping
- Lemon Cake with Crumb Topping and Cream Cheese
- Homemade Blueberry Muffins with Crumb Topping
- Fresh Strawberry Cake with Lemon Curd
- Spiced Brown Buttercream Frosting
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Lemon Meringue Cupcakes with Lemon Curd and Swiss Meringue
These Lemon Meringue Cupcakes are the ultimate cupcakes! Classic vanilla cupcakes filled with a buttery, luscious lemon curd, and topped with a smooth Swiss meringue frosting. This is what citrus season is all about!
Ingredients
Vanilla Cupcakes
- 1 ¾ cups flour, 225g I always recommend using a kitchen scale when baking.
- 2 teaspoon baking powder
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- 2 sticks softened butter, 225g
- 1 cup + 2 tablespoon granulated sugar, 225g
- 4 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ cup buttermilk, 4 tablespoon (or kulturmelk)
- 1 lemon, juice and zest. Optional
Swiss Meringue and Lemon Curd
- 4 large egg whites
- 1 cup granulated sugar, 200g
- pinch salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3.4 oz lemon curd* (100ml)
Instructions
Vanilla Cupcakes
- Preheat oven: 350F (175C).
- Mix dry ingredients together: flour, baking powder and salt in a small bowl.
- In a large bowl, cream butter using a handheld mixer, about 1 minute. Gradually add in sugar and mix on high speed for 2 minutes.
- To the butter, add eggs, one at a time, mixing in between each addition. Add buttermilk, vanilla extract and lemon juice + zest.
- On low speed, mix the dry ingredients into the wet, stop when it's just incorporated.
- Pour the cupcake batter into cupcake liners - preferably in a cupcake tin too - about ⅔ way up. Bake for 20 minutes or when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool completely on a wire rack.
Swiss Meringue
- In the stand mixer bowl, add egg whites, sugar and salt. Put the bowl over a pot of an inch of simmering water, making sure the bowl doesn't touch the water. While whisking, let the mixture melt - NOT boil, it takes about 4-6 minutes and the mixture will be warm somewhere between 120-140F (50-60C). You can feel between your finger tips if the sugar granules have melted. Once completely melted, place the bowl back into the stand mixer.
- Start with medium low and whisk for about 2 minutes, until frothy. Gradually increase to high for about 5 minutes and the bowl is cold. The end result should be glossy and semi-stiff peaks that have a little bend. Add 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and mix in. Add to piping bags with large round or star tip.
- Cut a hollow in the center of the cupcakes with a sharp knife, or you can press it down with the backside of a decoration tip. Add 1-2 teaspoon lemon curd into the hollow. Frost with swiss meringue.
- If you want a torched frosting, you can just quickly torch with a kitchen torch, or put them under the broiler in the oven (but keep your eyes on them!).
Notes
* Recipe for homemade lemon curd. Or store bought is fine!
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 21 Serving Size: 1 cupcakeAmount Per Serving: Calories: 236Total Fat: 12.3gSaturated Fat: 7.1gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 76mgSodium: 126mgCarbohydrates: 30.7gFiber: 0.4gProtein: 3.5g
Ideas for leftover egg yolks:
Lemon Ricotta Cake with Vanilla Pastry Cream
Abby
Tuesday 16th of June 2020
Hi, I'm really excited to try making these this weekend! One quick question as I can't see it anywhere (apologies if I've missed it anywhere) - what type of flour (ie plain, self-raising etc) are you using?
Stine Mari | Ginger with Spice
Wednesday 17th of June 2020
Hi Abby. If not otherwise stated, I always use all purpose flour (but I agree I should mention it!). Enjoy and happy baking!
Lathiya
Monday 17th of February 2020
The name f the cupcakes is like a dream...lemon meringue with lemon curd sounds heavenly. The cupcakes look gorgeous.
Stine Mari | Ginger with Spice
Tuesday 18th of February 2020
Thank you so much, Lathiya.
Emily
Tuesday 4th of February 2020
I love lemon meringue pies and this cupcake version is so amazing! Especially love the lemon curd filling!
Stine Mari | Ginger with Spice
Wednesday 5th of February 2020
Thank you so much, Emily. I love that lemon curd filling!
Jacque Hastert
Tuesday 4th of February 2020
Cupcakes are the best and lemon desserts rank high in my book. I can't wait to give these a try!
Stine Mari | Ginger with Spice
Wednesday 5th of February 2020
I love lemon desserts as well! Enjoy!
Ramona
Tuesday 4th of February 2020
Oh my!! These look absolutely perfection. That lemon curd!!! I cannot take my mind off these now till I make them. Drooling really badly over here . Soo perfect!
Stine Mari | Ginger with Spice
Tuesday 4th of February 2020
I totally know what you mean. Some dishes are like that! And I'm happy this one is so for you!