Ingredients
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1 cup unbleached all-purpose flour
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1/2 teaspoon baking powder
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1/2 teaspoon baking soda
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1/4 teaspoon salt
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4 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
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3/4 cup granulated sugar
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2 eggs
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2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
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1 tablespoon lemon peel, freshly grated
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1 teaspoon vanilla extract
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1/2 cup buttermilk
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6 ounces white chocolate, coarsely chopped (use premium white chocolate for best results)
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8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
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1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
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2 teaspoons lemon peel, freshly grated
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1 teaspoon vanilla extract
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3 cups confectioners' sugar
Instructions
- To Make Cupcakes:.
- Position the rack in the center of the oven and heat to 350°F
- Place 12 cupcake paper liners in a 2 1/2-inch muffin pan.
- Sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt into a medium bowl and set aside.
- Beat the butter and granulated sugar in a large bowl with an electric mixer at medium speed until light and creamy.
- Beat in the eggs one at a time. Beat in the lemon juice, lemon peel and vanilla.
- Beat in one-half of the flour mixture, scraping down sides of bowl.
- Gradually add the buttermilk and beat in the remaining flour mixture until the ingredients are mixed.
- Divide batter among the muffin cups, filling each about one-half full.
- Bake for 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- Cool cupcakes in pan on a wire rack for 10 minutes.
- Remove cupcakes and cool completely.
- To Make Frosting:.
- Place the white chocolate in a microwavable medium bowl.
- Microwave on HIGH for 1 to 1 1/2 minutes.
- Let stand for 1 minute.
- Stir until it’s completely melted and smooth. Cool slightly.
- Add the cream cheese, butter, lemon peel and vanilla.
- Beat with an electric mixer at medium speed until the ingredients are mixed.
- Add the confectioners’ sugar and beat until the frosting is smooth.
- To Assemble Cupcakes:.
- Remove the paper liners from the cupcakes and turn the cupcakes upside down.
- Spread a 1/4-inch thick layer of frosting to completely cover the top and sides the cupcakes.
- Spoon the white chocolate curls over the frosting, gently pressing, if necessary to help them adhere to the sides.
- Sift the confectioners’ sugar over the tops of the cupcakes.