Lemon Puckers Recipes

Steps:

• 1. Prepare or bake the pie crust of your choice.
• 2. Measure the sugar, cornstarch, and salt into a pan and whisk to mix. Slowly add the hot water stirring constantly and cook over direct heat until the mixture is thick and clear, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat and stir. Stir ½ cup of the hot mixture into the beaten yolks then stir the yolk mixture back into the hot mixture. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, for 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in butter. Add lemon peel and juice and stir until smooth. Cool and pour into baked pie shell.
• 3. Meringue: Beat egg whites with the cream of tartar until frothy. Gradually beat in the 6 Tbs. of sugar a little at a time. Beat until the meringue stands in firm, glossy, peaks. Add lemon juice and lemon peel and continue to beat a few more minutes. Spread meringue on pie making sure it touches the inner edges of the crust. Bake in a slow oven (325F) 10 minutes, or, until delicately browned. Cool.

Steps:

• Cream the butter and cream cheese. Add the sugar and then the egg yolk. Add the lemon rind and mix well. Mix the salt with flour and add in small amounts to the butter-sugar mixture, blending well after each addition. Add the walnuts and refrigerate the dough for 2 hours.
• When the dough is ready to bake, form it into three logs, each approximately 6 inches long, and flatten the logs slightly. Cut 12 1-by-3-inch ovals from each log.
• Bake the cookies on a lightly greased cookie sheet at 325 for 18 to 22 minutes, until they are lightly browned.
• Cool the cookies on racks and glaze with a mixture of the confectioners' sugar and lemon juice.

Steps:

• Make the cupcakes: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and line a muffin pan with 12 cupcake liners. Combine the flour and almonds in a food processor and pulse until the almonds are finely ground, about 1 minute. Add the baking powder, baking soda and salt and pulse to combine.
• Whisk the eggs, sugar, buttermilk, vegetable oil and lemon zest and juice in a large bowl. Add the flour mixture and whisk until just combined. Divide the batter among the muffin cups, filling them three-quarters of the way. Bake until a toothpick inserted into the centers comes out clean, 16 to 18 minutes. Let cool in the pan 5 minutes; remove to a rack to cool completely.
• Make the frosting: Combine 2/3 cup sugar and 1/4 cup water in a small saucepan; cook over medium-high heat until a candy thermometer registers 240 degrees F, about 12 minutes. Beat the egg whites in a large bowl with a mixer on medium speed until foamy; increase the speed to medium high and beat until soft peaks form, 2 minutes. Sprinkle in the remaining 1/4 cup sugar and beat until stiff peaks form, 3 minutes. With the mixer running, slowly pour in the sugar syrup and beat until cool and glossy, 8 to 10 minutes.
• Add the butter a little at a time, beating until incorporated. (It's OK if the mixture looks curdled at first; continue beating.) Beat in the food coloring, then add the lemon zest and juice and beat until smooth, 2 more minutes.
• Make the candied zest: Remove the lemon zest with a vegetable peeler and slice into thin strands. Place in a small saucepan, cover with water and bring to a simmer over high heat. Drain the zest and return it to the saucepan; cover with water and repeat 2 more times. Bring the sugar and 3/4 cup water to a bare simmer in a separate saucepan, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Add the lemon zest strands and cook over low heat, 20 minutes. Drain the zest and arrange in clusters on a parchment-lined baking sheet; let dry.
• Frost the cupcakes and top with the candied lemon zest.