Here is the recipe for those who liked the look of them in the "What's Up?" thread under Fun.
LIMONCELLO CUPCAKES
Cupcakes:
1 ½ C all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
½ tsp salt
60g butter
60g cream cheese
½ - ¾ C sugar (original recipe uses 1 C but it is American and I always halve the sugar in their recipes. This time though, I used ¾C in case the lemon made them too tart)
3 large eggs
1 Tbs limoncello (a liqueur. Try using lemon essence if you don't have limoncello, but don't use that much. 1 - 2 tsp would probably do)
½ cup buttermilk
¼ C lemon juice
zest of one lemon
Beat softened butter & cream cheese.
Add sugar & mix until light & fluffy.
Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each.
Add the limoncello & beat until well mixed.
Sift together flour, baking powder & salt.
Alternately add flour & buttermilk to butter mixture.
Mix in the lemon juice & lemon zest just until combined.
Pour into prepared cupcake pans (approx 18) & bake 160°C for about 17 minutes.
Cool on wire racks.
Lemon curd filling: (or buy it ready-made)
½ cup lemon juice
zest of two lemons
¼ C sugar
1 egg
1 egg yolk
Mix lemon juice, lemon zest, & sugar of medium heat until boiling.
Whisk egg & egg yolk.
Whisk lemon mixture into eggs off the heat (to temper).
Add all back to sauce pan & cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, until thickened.
Cool completely.
Use a melon baller (I just used a knife 'cos I don't have a melon baller) to scoop a hole into tops of cooled cupcakes.
Fill with cooled lemon curd.
Lemon buttercream icing:
60g butter
170g cream cheese
4 C icing sugar
2 Tbs limoncello
Beat butter & cream cheese.
Add limoncello & beat until smooth.
Beat in powdered sugar until desired icing consistency is obtained.
Ice filled cupcakes.
Garnish with lemon slices, the bits you cut out, or lemon flavoured lollies.