The Secrets Of Cupcake Perfection

Taste Of Home Magazine Cupcake Contest Yields Sweet Results

(CBS) 
SECOND-PLACE WINNER: Lemon Curd Cupcakes
PREP: 40 minutes + chilling
BAKE: 20 minutes + cooling

Homemade lemon curd flavors these tender cupcakes that were made for my brother-in-law's 66th birthday. He loves lemon and gave these a big thumb's up. — Kerry Barnett-Amundson, Ocean Park, WA

CURD:
3 tablespoons plus 1-1/2 teaspoons sugar
3 tablespoons lemon juice
4 1/2 teaspoons butter
1 egg, lightly beaten
1 teaspoon grated lemon peel

BATTER:
3/4 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon grated lemon peel
1 1/2 cups cake flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup buttermilk

FROSTING:
2 tablespoons butter, softened
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Pinch salt
2 cups confectioners' sugar
2 to 4 tablespoons milk
Yellow food coloring (optional)

For lemon curd: In a heavy saucepan, cook and stir sugar, lemon juice and butter until smooth. Stir a small amount into egg; return all to pan. Bring to a gentle boil, stirring constantly; cook 2 minutes longer. Stir in lemon peel. Cool 10 minutes. Cover and chill for 1 1/2 hours or until thickened.

In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each. Add vanilla and lemon peel. Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt; add to creamed mixture alternately with buttermilk.

Fill paper-lined muffin cups three-quarters full. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes; remove from pan to a wire rack. Cool completely.

Cut a small hole in the corner of a pastry or plastic bag; insert a small round pastry tip. Fill bag with lemon curd. Insert tip 1 inch into center of each cupcake; fill with curd just until tops of cupcakes begin to crack.

Combine frosting ingredients, tinting with food coloring if desired; frost cupcakes. Store in the refrigerator. Yield: 1 dozen.

Editor's Note: You can find confectionery roses in the cake decorating aisle at your grocery store.