LEMON MERINGUE CUPCAKES RECIPE RECIPES

Steps:

• 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.

Steps:

• For the crust: Preheat the oven to 400˚. Roll 1 ball of pie dough into a 13-inch circle on a lightly floured surface. Transfer the crust to a 9-inch pie plate. Tuck the edges of the crust under to be even with the edge of the pie plate and crimp. Place the crust in the refrigerator for 60 minutes (or freezer for 30 minutes). Line the inside of the crust with parchment paper, then fill with baking weights or dried beans. Bake for 16 to 18 minutes, until the edges of the crust are very lightly golden. Remove the pie weights and parchment paper, brush all over with heavy cream and prick the bottom of the crust with a fork, 6 to 8 times. Return to the oven and bake until the whole crust is golden brown all over, 12 to 14 minutes longer. Let cool to room temperature. For the lemon filling: In a medium saucepan whisk together the sugar, cornstarch, flour and salt. Gradually stir in 1 ½ cups cold water until smooth. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the mixture boils, about 5 minutes. Boil for 1 minute, stirring constantly, then remove from the heat. Whisk the egg yolks in a small bowl. While whisking, slowly add 1/4 cup of the hot sugar mixture into the egg yolks. Gradually stir the yolk mixture from the bowl back into the remaining sugar mixture in the saucepan. Return to medium heat and cook, stirring constantly, until a thermometer reads 160˚ to 180˚. Remove from the heat and immediately stir in the butter, lemon juice and zest, until the butter is completely melted. Pour the filling into the cooled pie crust. Let it cool for 15 minutes. Press a piece of plastic wrap onto the surface of the filling, then cool in the refrigerator for 2 hours. For the meringue: Place a medium saucepan filled with 1-inch of water over medium heat and bring to a simmer. In the bowl of a stand mixer, whisk together the egg whites, vanilla, sugar, salt, and cream of tartar. Place the mixing bowl over the simmering water and continue to mix, scraping the sides of the bowl frequently with a rubber spatula so that the egg whites don’t cook, until the sugar has dissolved into the egg whites, 3 to 5 minutes. (When you rub some of the mixture together in your fingers, you should not feel any texture/sugar granules. If using a thermometer, the temperature should read around 160˚.) Transfer the bowl to a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment and whisk on medium-high speed for 4 to 5 minutes, until the meringue is glossy and holds a medium-stiff peak. Dollop the meringue over top of the pie to completely cover the lemon filling and swirl with the back of a spoon to make decorative swoops and swirls. Toast the meringue with a kitchen torch or place under a broiler (about 8 inches from the broiler element heated to high heat) for 1 minute, until lightly toasted. Let cool completely to room temperature, then serve.