Lemon Meringue Cupcakes

I am the first to admit that I get too many magazines in the mail, but I only do it for the recipes. This is one from Rachael Ray Everyday that I have been wanting to make for awhile. I got the perfect opportunity when my dad asked for some treats. His favorite dessert is Lemon Meringue Pie and you have to make these because you will not believe how they taste exactly like it even though they are Cake! The cake tastes like pie crust in a miraculous way, flaky and delicious. The lemon curd is like the filling and the meringue is the meringue. It is wild to pop one of these minis in your mouth. Next time, I want to make the curd from scratch but I was in a pinch, so I used Dickinson's Lemon Curd.

From Every Day with Rachael RayApril 2007

MAKES FOUR DOZEN

Prep Time: 30 min

Bake Time: 30 min
1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 sticks (8 ounces) unsalted butter, softened
1 2/3 cups sugar, plus more for decorating
2 tablespoons finely grated lemon peel, plus thin strips of peel for garnish
2 large eggs plus 4 egg whites, at room temperature
One 10- to 12-ounce jar lemon curd

1. Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 350°. Line mini-muffin pans with paper liners. In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking powder and salt. In a separate bowl, combine the buttermilk and lemon juice.

2. Using an electric mixer, beat the butter on high speed until creamy, about 1 minute. Add 1 cup sugar and the lemon peel and beat until fluffy, about 5 minutes. Add the 2 eggs, one at a time, and beat until combined, scraping down the sides between additions. On low speed, beat in a third of the dry ingredients, then a third of the buttermilk mixture. Repeat, alternating ingredients, until the batter is smooth.

3. Spoon the batter into each liner, about three-quarters full. Bake until a toothpick comes out clean, about 20 minutes. Let cool on a rack.

4. In a heatproof bowl, whisk together the remaining 2/3 cup sugar and the egg whites. Place over a saucepan of barely simmering water, making sure the water doesn't touch the bowl, and heat just until the sugar dissolves, whisking constantly. Remove from the heat and beat on high speed until stiff, glossy peaks form.

5. Spread a thin layer of lemon curd over each cupcake and dollop the meringue on top. Toss the lemon peel strips in sugar to coat, and place one on each cupcake.