Citrus Cupcakes Recipe
- For Cupcakes:
- 5 tablespoons unsalted California butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- Grated zest from 1 lime
- Grated zest from 1 orange
- Grated zest from 1 lemon
- 1 2/3 cups flour
- 2 1/4 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup California milk
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs
- For Frosting:
- 3 large egg yolks
- 3 large eggs
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 3 tablespoons unsalted California butter
- Silver cake beads (dragees)
- Cupcakes: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour insides of 12 muffin cups or insert paper liners.
- With an electric mixer on medium speed, beat together butter, sugar, and citrus zests until smooth.
- In a separate bowl, sift together flour, baking powder and salt.
- In a small bowl, stir together milk, lemon juice and vanilla extract. Note: mixture will curdle slightly.
- With an electric mixer on low speed, alternately add the dry ingredients and the milk to the butter mixture in 3 additions, stirring well after each addition. On medium speed, add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Beat for 1 minute.
- Evenly divide the batter between cupcake molds. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean, about 20 minutes. Cool for 15 minutes. Remove cupcakes from the pans. Cool completely before frosting.
- Note: If you are using cupcake liners, insert a table knife along the inside of the cupcake mold and gently pry the cupcake out. If you are not using liners, remove the cupcakes from the pan by running a paring knife around the inside edge of each cupcake and gently lift the cupcake out.
- Frosting: Whisk together egg yolks, eggs and sugar. Whisk in lemon juice. Cook in a double boiler or on stove top over low heat, stirring constantly until thickened, about 5 minutes.
- Transfer lemon mixture to a bowl. Cool for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in butter. Cover mixture with plastic wrap and refrigerate until cold and firm, 30 minutes to one hour.
- Frost cupcakes. Sprinkle silver cake beads on each cupcake. If frosting in advance, refrigerate and decorate just before serving.
