Lime Curd Cupcakes Food

LIME CURD

Steps:

• Whisk the sugar, 1 tablespoon lime zest, the lime juice and salt in a medium saucepan. Whisk the whole eggs and yolks in a small bowl, then whisk into the lime mixture.
• Cook the mixture over medium heat, whisking constantly, until it¿s thick like pudding, 6 to 8 minutes. Remove from the heat and whisk in the butter a few pieces at a time until incorporated.
• Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a small bowl, pushing it through with a rubber spatula. Press plastic wrap directly onto the surface to prevent a skin from forming; let cool to room temperature. Stir in the remaining 1 teaspoon lime zest. Cover and refrigerate until completely set, at least 4 hours and up to 5 days.

LEMON CURD CUPCAKES

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients.
• Preheat oven to 350 F. Line a 12-cup cupcake pan with paper liners and set aside.
• Beat the sugar and butter in the bowl of a stand mixer with a paddle attachment, until light and fluffy, about 4-5 minutes.
• Add the eggs and vanilla extract. Beat to combine.
• Mix the flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl.
• Add in the flour mixture to the stand mixer bowl alternately with the milk, beginning and ending with the flour.
• Mix in the lemon zest and lemon juice. Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula to make sure all ingredients are combined..
• Divide the batter into the prepared cupcake pan, filling each liner almost to the top. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
• Transfer to a wire rack and cool completely, about 30 minutes.
• To put filling inside cupcakes, first use a small knife to cut a small hole in the center of each cupcake. Remove the center and set aside.
• Fill each hole with about 1 teaspoon of the prepared lemon curd.
• Beat powdered sugar and butter on low. Add the lemon juice, one tablespoon at a time until the frosting reaches the desired consistency. Use additional lemon juice if necessary.
• Place the frosting in a pastry bag fitted with a star tip and decorate the tops of the cupcakes.
• Garnish with additional lemon zest, if desired.

FRESH LIME CURD

Steps:

• Place the sugar, butter, lime juice, lime zest in the top of a double boiler; stir over medium-high heat until butter melts. Mix 2 tablespoons hot lime mixture into the eggs and stir to blend.
• Reduce heat to medium until water simmers. Slowly whisk egg mixture into the lime mixture. Cook over the double boiler until lime mixture thickens and coats the back of a wooden spoon, 20 to 25 minutes. Cool slightly and spoon into a clean, glass jar. Cover and refrigerate.

KEY LIME CUPCAKES

Steps:

• Make the lime curd: Combine the granulated sugar, egg and egg yolk, lime juice and cornstarch in a small saucepan. Cook over medium-low heat, whisking, until thick enough to coat a spoon, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and whisk in the butter, a little at a time, until smooth. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve into a bowl, then stir in the lime zest and salt. Set in a larger bowl of ice and stir until the curd is completely cool. Press plastic wrap directly onto the surface; refrigerate until ready to use.
• Make the cupcakes: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and line a muffin pan with 12 cupcake liners. Pulse the wafer cookies in a food processor until finely ground. Melt 2 tablespoons butter; add to the processor and pulse until the mixture comes together. Press about 1 tablespoon crumbs into each muffin cup.
• Sift the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt into a medium bowl; set aside. Combine the remaining 10 tablespoons butter and the granulated sugar in a large bowl and beat with a mixer on medium-high speed until fluffy, 5 minutes. Reduce the speed to low; beat in the eggs, one at a time. Add the vanilla, lime zest and juice and beat until well combined. Add the flour mixture in 3 additions, alternating with the buttermilk, beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Increase the speed to medium high and mix until combined.
• Divide the batter among the prepared muffin cups, filling each about three-quarters of the way. Bake until a toothpick inserted into the centers comes out clean, 20 to 22 minutes. Remove to a rack; let cool completely.
• Make the frosting: Beat the butter in a large bowl with a mixer on medium-high speed until fluffy, 5 minutes. Reduce the speed to low and beat in the confectioners' sugar. Increase the speed to medium high; add the sour cream, lime juice and salt and beat until fluffy, 2 more minutes.
• Place the lime curd in a pastry bag fitted with a 1/4-inch tip. Insert the tip into the center of each cupcake and squeeze to fill. Frost the cupcakes, then pipe more lime curd on top. Top with lime slices and zest.
• Cook's Note: Key limes are smaller and more tart than regular limes. If you can't find them, look for bottled Key lime juice and use regular lime zest.

LIME CHIFFON CAKE

Steps:

• Let eggs stand at room temperature for 30 minutes., In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. In another bowl, whisk the egg yolks, water, oil, lime juice, lime zest and vanilla. Add to dry ingredients; beat until well blended. In another bowl, beat egg whites and cream of tartar until stiff peaks form; fold into batter., Gently spoon into an ungreased 10-in. tube pan. Cut through batter with a knife to remove air pockets. Bake on the lowest oven rack at 325° for 45-50 minutes or until cake springs back when lightly touched. Immediately invert pan; cool completely, about 1 hour. Run a knife around sides and center tube of pan; set aside., For lime curd, in a small heavy saucepan over medium heat, whisk the eggs, sugar, lime juice, zest and salt until blended. Add butter; cook, whisking constantly, until mixture is thickened and coats the back of a spoon. Transfer to a small bowl; cool for 10 minutes. Cover and refrigerate until chilled., In a small bowl, beat cream until stiff peaks form; fold in 1-1/2 cups curd., Cut cake horizontally into two layers. Place bottom layer on a serving plate; spread with remaining curd. Top with remaining cake layer; spread whipped cream over top and sides of cake. Garnish with lime zest.