Fresh Lemons!

Lemons from my tree! Anyone for Lemon Meringue Pie?

Peter, Paul & Mary Lemon Tree Lyrics

When I was just a lad of ten, my father said to me,
"Come here and take a lesson from the lovely lemon tree."
"Don't put your faith in love, my boy", my father said to me,
"I fear you'll find that love is like the lovely lemon tree."

Lemon tree very pretty and the lemon flower is sweet
But the fruit of the poor lemon is impossible to eat.
Lemon tree very pretty and the lemon flower is sweet
But the fruit of the poor lemon is impossible to eat.

One day beneath the lemon tree, my love and I did lie
A girl so sweet that when she smiled the stars rose in the sky.
We passed that summer lost in love beneath the lemon tree
The music of her laughter hid my father's words from me:

Lemon tree very pretty and the lemon flower is sweet
But the fruit of the poor lemon is impossible to eat.
Lemon tree very pretty and the lemon flower is sweet
But the fruit of the poor lemon is impossible to eat.

One day she left without a word. She took away the sun.
And in the dark she left behind, I knew what she had done.
She'd left me for another, it's a common tale but true.
A sadder man but wiser now I sing these words to you:

Lemon tree very pretty and the lemon flower is sweet
But the fruit of the poor lemon is impossible to eat.
Lemon tree very pretty and the lemon flower is sweet
But the fruit of the poor lemon is impossible to eat.

Have a Creative Day!

Linda

Red Velvet Cupcakes and Chocolate Covered Strawberries!

Here are photos of cupcakes I baked today. They are the Red Velvet with Cream Cheese frosting, then topped with a Chocolate Covered Strawberry!! I had to make 148 of them for a customer! Whew...I am tired!

Have a Creative Weekend!
Linda

Lemon Meringue Cupcakes and Recipes!

I made Lemon Meringue Cupcakes for the Superbowl party! YUMMO!! They were a big hit! I guess I'll put these on the menu!

The Recipe:

Ingredients:
Makes 24 cupcakes
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
2 cups sugar
5 extra-large eggs
3 cups self-rising cake flour
1 cup buttermilk
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

2 tablespoons lemon zest

meringue topping

lemon pie filling
castor sugar

lemon wedges

Directions:
1.Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

2. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat butter until softened. With the mixer on medium, add eggs and sugar; beat until well combined. With mixer on low speed, add flour in three parts, alternating with buttermilk and beginning and ending with flour. Stir in lemon zest and lemon juice.
3. Fill prepared muffin cups three-quarters full with batter. Transfer muffin tins to oven and bake until a cake tester inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean, 20 to 25 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack and let cupcakes cool completely in muffin cups.

4. Using a # tip, fill the middle of each cupcake with lemon pie filling.

5. Finish off with the merengue topping.

6. Garnish with a thin wedge of lemon that was dredged in Castor Sugar

Pie Filling and Meringue

1 1/3 cups granulated sugar, divided
3 tablespoons cornstarch
1 1/2 cups cold water
3 egg yolks, slightly beaten
grated zest of 1 lemon
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon butter
3 egg whites

Pie Filling:
In a saucepan combine 1 cup sugar with cornstarch. Gradually stir in the cold water until smooth. Stir in the beaten egg yolks. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly, and continue to boil and stir for 1 minute. Remove from heat. Stir in the lemon peel, lemon juice and butter. Let cool.

Meringue:

Beat egg whites until foamy. Gradually beat in 1/3 cup sugar; continue beating until stiff peaks form. Spread the egg white meringue mixture over the fulling, sealing to edge of crust. Bake in a preheated 350° oven for about 15 minutes, or until golden brown.

Have a Creative Day!

Linda

AND THE WINNER IS.....

Stefanie from Rose Petals and Rust. Congratulations Stefanie...you are the proud new owner of this Sterling Heart Necklace!! Please contact me with your preferences so I can make it and get it mailed out to you!

Have a Creative Day!
Linda