Lemon Limoncello Cupcakes Recipe 435

Steps:

• Cupcakes: Preheat oven to 350˚F and position a rack in the centre of oven. In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking powder & salt; set aside. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter, cream cheese & sugar on medium speed till light and creamy, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add the limoncello and beat an additional minute. On low speed, add flour mixture and buttermilk alternatively, beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Add the lemon juice and zest and mix on low speed just till incorporated. Divide the batter between 12 muffin tins. Bake for 20 minutes or till a toothpick inserted near the centre comes out clean. Let cool completely. Lemon curd: In a heavy medium saucepan, stir together the lemon zest, juice and sugar and bring to a simmer over medium heat. In a small bowl, whisk together the egg and egg yolk. Whisk the lemon mixture into the eggs to temper them. Scrape the mixture back into the saucepan and place over medium heat, whisking constantly until it thickens, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat, and let cool completely. Frosting: Prepare the cream cheese limoncello frosting. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter and cream cheese on medium speed till light and creamy, about 2 to 3 minutes Add the limoncello and beat for an additional minute. Reduce the speed to low & gradually add the sifted powdered sugar & beat till fully incorporated and smooth. Assemble the cupcakes. Cut a hole into each cupcake with the lg. end of a melon ballerina or the back end of a large pastry tip. Fill each cavity with the lemon curd. Fill a pastry bag with a star tip and the cream cheese limoncello frosting and pipe onto each cupcake. Decorate with lemon & berries if desired.

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for dark or nonstick pan). Place paper baking cup in each of 24 regular-size muffin cups. In large bowl, beat cupcake ingredients with electric mixer on low speed 30 seconds, then on medium speed 2 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally. Divide batter evenly among muffin cups, filling each about two-thirds full.
• Bake 18 to 23 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan 10 minutes. Remove from pan to cooling rack.
• In large bowl, beat cream cheese and butter on medium speed until light and fluffy. On low speed, beat in powdered sugar and Limoncello until mixed; beat on medium speed until fluffy. Frost cupcakes, mounding and swirling frosting in center.
• Garnish with lemon slices if desired. Store covered in refrigerator.

Steps:

• Remove yellow part of lemon peel either with micro-plane or sharp peeler. If any pith remains on the back of a strip of peel, scrape it off.
• Place peels in a large jar with screw-top lid or sealed with clamps and cover with one bottle of vodka.
• Leave mixture to mellow for 2 weeks in a dark place.
• After mixture sets, combine sugar and water in a small saucepan, bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the sugar has dissolved. Allow the syrup to cool to room temperature (This is very important- if the sugar syrup is still warm the limoncello will result cloudy instead of limpid).
• Using a coffee filter or fine sieve, strain the vodka from the peels and mix it with the remaining bottle of vodka and the syrup. Put the liqueur in bottles, seal tightly (cork or screw-top lid) and let the components marry, in a dark place, for at least 10 days before using.
• For drinking straight, store the Limoncello in the freezer.

Steps:

• Using a vegetable peeler, peel rind from lemons (save lemons for another use). With a sharp knife, scrape pith from peels and discard. Place lemon peels and vodka in a large glass or plastic container. Cover and let stand at room temperature for at least 2 weeks, stirring once a week., In a large saucepan, bring water and sugar to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 10 minutes. Cool completely., Strain vodka mixture, discarding lemon peels. Return mixture to container; stir in sugar mixture. Pour into glass bottles; seal tightly. Let stand for 2 weeks. Serve chilled.