White Chocolate Lemon Curd Muffins with Crumble Topping: A Zesty Delight

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:

1. In a heatproof bowl, whisk together sugar, lemon juice, and eggs.
2. 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.
3. 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:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a muffin tin with paper liners.
2. In a large bowl, combine melted butter, milk, eggs, sugar, vanilla extract, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Mix until smooth.
3. Sift in the flour, baking powder, and baking soda. Gently mix until just combined.
4. Fold in white chocolate chips.

Prepare the Crumble Topping:

1. In a small bowl, combine flour, sugar, and cubed butter. Rub together with your fingertips until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

Assemble and Bake:

1. 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.
2. Sprinkle the crumble topping over each muffin.
3. 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:

1. Let the muffins cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
2. 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!