Citrus Cupcakes

Citrus Cupcakes Image_1571.jpg

These slightly tart cupcakes provide some fun in the sun any day of the week.

Yield
Prep Time5 minutes

Ingredients

Look for dairy brands with the Real California seals.    
For Cupcakes:
5 Tablespoon unsalted Real California butter, softened
1 Cup granulated sugar
Grated zest from 1 lime
Grated zest from 1 orange
Grated zest from 1 lemon
1 2⁄3 Cup flour
2 1⁄4 Teaspoon baking powder
1⁄4 Teaspoon salt
1⁄2 Cup California Milk
2 Teaspoon lemon juice
1 Teaspoon vanilla extract
2 large eggs
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For Frosting:
3 large egg yolks
3 large eggs.
3⁄4 Cup granulated sugar.
1⁄2 Cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
3 Tablespoon unsalted california butter
Silver cake beads (dragees)

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350øF. Grease and flour insides of 12 muffin cups or insert paper liners.
With an electric mixer on medium speed, beat together butter, sugar and citrus zests until smooth.
In a separate bowl, stir together Real California Milk, lemon juice and vanilla extract. Mixture will curdle slightly.
With an electric mixer on low speed, alternately add dry ingredients and milk to butter mixture in 3 additions, stirring well after each addition. On medium speed, add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each additon. Beat for 1 minute.
Evenly divide the batter between cupcake molds. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean, about 20 minutes. Cool for 15 minutes. Remove cupcakes from pans. Cool completely before frosting.

Frosting:
Whisk together egg yolks, eggs and suger. Whisk in lemon juice. Cook in a double boiler or on stovetop over low heat, stirring constantly until thickened, about 5 minutes.
Transfer lemon mixture to a bowl. Cool for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in butter. Cover mixture with plastic wrap and refrigerate until cold and firm, 30 minutes to 1 hour.
Frost cupcakes. Sprinkle silver cake beads on each cupcake.

Recipe provided by the California Milk Advisory Board