Mary Berry's lemon meringue cupcakes
Mary Berry's lemon meringue cupcakes have a lemon curd centre with a swirly meringue top to make a classy and irresistible addition to afternoon tea.
For this recipe you will need an electric hand whisk.
Ingredients
For the sponge
- 100g/3½oz baking spread or softened unsalted butter
- 150g/5½oz self-raising flour
- 150g/5½oz caster sugar
- 3 tbsp full-fat milk
- 2 free-range eggs
- 1 unwaxed lemon, finely grated zest only
- 7g freeze-dried strawberries (available in large supermarkets), to decorate
For the filling
For the meringue
- 2 free-range egg whites
- 100g/3½oz caster sugar
Method
Preheat the oven to 180C/160C Fan/Gas 4. Line a 12-hole muffin tray with cases.
Put the sponge ingredients into a bowl and whisk using an electric hand whisk until light and fluffy. Spoon the mixture evenly between the cases. Bake for 18–20 minutes or until golden-brown, risen and springy to the touch. Set aside to cool completely.
Cut a deep circle in the centre of each cake (about the width of a £2 coin) and pull out a walnut size of sponge to leave a hole. Spoon 1 teaspoon lemon curd into each hole, making sure the curd is level with the top.
To make the meringue, whisk the egg whites in a large bowl with an electric hand whisk until stiff. Gradually add the sugar as you continue whisking on full speed, until you have a stiff glossy mixture. Spread or pipe on the top of each cupcake and sit back in their tins.
Use a chef’s blowtorch to brown the meringues or slide the tray under the grill. Watch carefully and remove when golden-brown.
Sprinkle with the freeze-dried strawberries.
