Hydrangea Cupcakes (white cake with lemon curd)

WHITE CUPCAKE WITH LEMON CURD (MAKES 20-24 CUPCAKES)

INGREDIENTS

• 330 grams of cake flour

• 1 and 2/3 cup of granulated sugar (superfine preferred)

• 1 and 1/2 teaspoon baking powder

• 3/4 teaspoon salt

• 3/4 cup unsalted, softened butter

• 4 large egg whites plus 1 large whole egg

• 3/4 cup whole milk

• 1/4 cup lemon curd (I promise to post this recipe another day)

• 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice plus pinch of lemon zest

Directions

• Preheat oven to 325 F (if using dark cake pans) or 350 F (silver pans) . I recommend using an oven thermometer to check accuracy.

• Measure and mix dry ingredients in a large bowl to blend and aerate.

• Add softened butter to dry ingredients, mix with blender until forms a paste.

• Gradually add egg whites, gently beating. Then add whole egg, gently beat.

• In a small bowl, whisk together milk, lemon curd, lemon juice and zest. Add this mixture (about 1/3 at a time) into the large bowl. It is best to use a spatula at this point to avoid overmixing. DO NOT OVER MIX. The batter and resultant cakes will get hard.

• Scoop (3 tablespoon size) batter into cupcake liners.

• Bake 17-20 minutes, allow to cool, then frost.

WHITE ICING (FOR 12-16 CUPCAKES)

Ingredients

• 1 stick of unsalted butter

• 1/4 cup milk

• 4 cups of powdered sugar

• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

Directions

• Using a hand mixer, cream the butter in medium-large bowl

• Gradually add in sugar and milk

• Add more sugar to thicken or more milk to thin

HYDRANGEA ICING FLOWERS

• Decide what colors you want your flowers, then divide white icing into small bowls. I chose to make white/lavender and blue/lavender flowers, therefore 1 part of icing remains white, 1 part dye light blue, 1 part dye lavender color.

• Place two colors into a pastry bag; one color on the right, the other on the left.

• Use Wilton's tip # 2D (large drop flower)

• Start decorating the cupcake near the center and work your way around to the edge

Recipe courtesy of foodandgladness.com