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Lemon Thyme Cupcakes

Lemon Thyme Cupcakes

Chef Patti Curfman, Patti Cakes

Ingredients:

  • 3/4 cup butter
  • 3 eggs
  • 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp. baking powder
  • 1/4 tsp. baking soda
  • 1/4 tsp. salt
  • 1 tsp. fresh thyme
  • 2/3 cup milk
  • 1/4 cup limoncello (Italian lemon liqueur) or milk
  • 1 1/2 cups sugar
  • 1 tbsp. finely shredded lemon peel
  • Lemon Frosting (see recipe below)
  • 1/2 cup lemon drop candies, finely crushed, or Glazed Lemon Slices (see recipe below)

Method:

  1. Allow butter and eggs to stand at room temperature for 30 minutes—meanwhile, line twenty 2 ½ inch muffin cups with paper bake cups. In a medium bowl, stir together flour, baking powder, baking soda, thyme, and salt. Combine milk and limoncello in a 2-cup glass measuring cup; set aside.
  2. Preheat oven to 350°. In a large bowl, beat butter with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds. Add sugar and lemon peel; beat until combined. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Alternately add flour and milk to the butter mixture, beating on low speed after each addition just until combined.
  3. Spoon batter into prepared muffin cups, filling each about ¾ full. Use the back of a spoon to smooth out the batter in cups.
  4. Bake for about 18 minutes or until tops spring back when lightly touched. Cool cupcakes in muffin cups on wire racks for 5 minutes. Remove cupcakes from muffin cups. Cool completely on wire racks.
  5. Up to 1 hour before serving, generously spread or pipe Lemon Frosting on each cupcake. Place crushed candies on a plate. Roll the edges of the cupcakes in crushed candies to coat them. Or top cupcakes with a Glazed Lemon Slice. Makes 20 (2 ½ inch) cupcakes.
  6. Fill with lemon curd frost with lemon frosting and garnish with glazed lemon slices and a sprig of Thyme.

Glazed Lemon Slices :
• 2 small lemons
• 2 sprigs of thyme, removed from stem
• Sugar
• Nonstick cooking spray

Method:

  1. Cut lemons into ¼-inch thick slices. Remove seeds.
  2. Mix the sugar and the thyme together.
  3. Roll slices in sugar mixture to coat well.
  4. Coat a large skillet with cooking spray. Preheat the skillet over medium-high heat.
  5. Arrange lemon slices in a single layer in the skillet. Cook for 6 to 8 minutes or until sugar dissolves and lemon slices appear glazed (do not let them brown), turning once.
  6. Transfer to a piece of foil; cool completely.
  7. Roll cooled slices in sugar again before using. (These slices are edible, but the rind is chewy; if desired, remove slices before eating.)

Lemon Frosting:

Method:

  1. Allow butter to stand at room temperature for 30 minutes.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, beat butter, shortening, and vanilla with an electric mixer on medium speed for 30 seconds.
  3. Slowly add 2 cups of the powdered sugar, beating well.
  4. Add Meyer Lemon Concentrate.
  5. Gradually beat in the remaining powdered sugar.
  6. Beat in milk, 1 teaspoon at a time, until frosting reaches a spreading consistency.
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