These White Chocolate Lemon Curd Muffins are a delightful blend of sweet and tangy flavors, making them a perfect treat for any time of the day. Featuring a rich homemade lemon curd, tender muffin base, and a crunchy crumble topping, each component complements the other to create a burst of flavors that's irresistibly refreshing. The white chocolate chips add a touch of sweetness and smooth texture, enhancing the overall experience.
Why You'll Love This: These muffins offer a unique twist on classic flavors, combining the tartness of lemon with the sweetness of white chocolate in a perfectly baked treat. The homemade lemon curd provides an intensely flavorful heart to each muffin, while the crumble topping adds a delightful crunch. They're moist, flavorful, and have just the right amount of zest to brighten your day.
Perfect Occasion: These muffins are ideal for brunches, tea parties, or as a sweet snack during a busy day. They're also great for packing into lunchboxes for a special midday treat or serving at gatherings where a light, flavorful dessert is desired. Their elegant appearance makes them suitable for festive occasions and casual get-togethers alike.
Decoration Tips: For a beautiful and professional finish, sprinkle powdered sugar lightly over the top of the muffins once they've cooled. You can also garnish each muffin with a small slice of lemon or a twist of lemon zest to enhance the visual appeal and hint at the flavors inside. If you're serving them at a gathering, consider displaying them on a tiered cake stand for an inviting presentation.
Ingredients:
For Lemon Curd:
- 220g granulated sugar
- 135g lemon juice
- 9g lemon zest
- 123g salted butter
- 4 whole eggs + 1 yolk
- 1 + 1/2 teaspoon corn starch
- 2 teaspoon water
For Muffins:
- 2 eggs
- 122g whole milk
- 115g salted butter, melted
- 190g granulated sugar
- 250g all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1/8 tsp baking soda
- 15g lemon zest
- 20g lemon juice
- 92g white chocolate chips
For Crumble Topping:
- 70g all-purpose flour
- 53g granulated sugar
- 47g salted butter, cubed
Instructions:
Prepare the Lemon Curd:
- In a heatproof bowl, whisk together sugar, lemon juice, and eggs.
- Add lemon zest and butter, and place the bowl over a pot of simmering water (double boiler method). Cook, stirring continuously, until the mixture thickens.
- Dissolve corn starch in water and add to the lemon curd mixture, continue cooking until the mixture achieves a thick, spreadable consistency. Remove from heat and let cool.
Make the Muffin Batter:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a muffin tin with paper liners.
- In a large bowl, combine melted butter, milk, eggs, sugar, vanilla extract, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Mix until smooth.
- Sift in the flour, baking powder, and baking soda. Gently mix until just combined.
- Fold in white chocolate chips.
Prepare the Crumble Topping:
- In a small bowl, combine flour, sugar, and cubed butter. Rub together with your fingertips until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
Assemble and Bake:
- Fill each muffin liner with the batter about halfway. Spoon a dollop of lemon curd into the center of each, then cover with more batter.
- Sprinkle the crumble topping over each muffin.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean and the tops are golden brown.
Cool and Serve:
- Let the muffins cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Serve as is, or with additional lemon curd or whipped cream for an extra special touch.
Enjoy these White Chocolate Lemon Curd Muffins, where each bite is a delightful mix of creamy, crunchy, and citrusy layers!