Lemon Cheesecake Cupcake
- 1 cup graham cracker crumbs
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
- 8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
- 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- 1 egg white
- 1 1/2 cups pastry flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup fine sugar
- 2 ounces (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 2 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
- 3 eggs
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon limoncello liqueur
- Zest of 2 lemons
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 8 ounces (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 1 cup cake shortening
- 1 teaspoon almond bakery emulsion
- 1 teaspoon lemon extract
- 2 pounds confectioners' sugar
- For the graham cracker crumbs: In small bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs and butter and stir.
- Set aside.
- For the cheesecake filling: Using an electric mixer, beat the cream cheese and confectioners' sugar for 3 minutes.
- Beat in the vanilla and egg white until smooth and creamy.
- Set aside.
- For the cake batter: Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F; line cupcake pans with 12 cupcake liners.
- In a medium bowl, combine the pastry flour, baking powder and salt and set aside.
- Using an electric mixer with a paddle attachment, cream the sugar, butter and cream cheese on medium speed until light and fluffy.
- Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
- Add the lemon juice, limoncello and lemon zest and mix until incorporated.
- On low speed, add the flour mixture and buttermilk alternately, beginning and ending with the flour.
- Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of the graham cracker crumbs in the bottom of each liner, fill about halfway with the cake batter and top with the cheesecake filling.
- Bake until an inserted toothpick comes out clean, 25 minutes.
- For the buttercream frosting: In the bowl of an electric mixer with a paddle attachment, beat the butter and shortening on medium speed until light and fluffy.
- Add the almond and lemon flavorings and beat for 2 minutes.
- Add the confectioners' sugar one cup at a time, alternating with 1/4 cup water, and beat until incorporated.
- Top each cupcake with some of the buttercream frosting.
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Taken from www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/lemon-cheesecake-cupcake.html (may not work)