Mini Pistachio Cupcakes with Lemon Curd Filling

Ingredients:

Lemon Curd

• 1 and 1/4 cups sugar
• 0.5 cup lemon juice
• 1 tbsp. grated lemon zest
• 4 large egg yolks
• 3 large whole eggs
• 110 g chilled butter, cut into pieces
• Special equipment: two molds for 6 mini-muffins "bandt"

Pistachio muffins

• 1 cup pistachios
• 2 cups premium flour
• 3/4 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 110 g unsalted butter at room temperature, plus extra for greasing the pans
• 1.5 cups of sugar
• 4 large whole eggs
• 3 tbsp pistachio cream or 2 tbsp pistachio paste
• 3/4 cup sour cream

Preparation:

1. Lemon Curd:
   In a medium saucepan over low heat, whisk together the sugar, lemon juice, lemon zest, egg yolks, and whole eggs. Cook, stirring frequently, until the curd reaches 165°F (75°C), 6–10 minutes; the curd should be thick enough to coat the back of a spoon. Remove from heat and whisk in the butter, one piece at a time, until thoroughly combined.
2. Transfer the lemon curd to a bowl and place a piece of plastic wrap directly on the surface of the cream to prevent a skin from forming. Let cool to room temperature, then refrigerate until completely chilled, at least 1 hour and up to overnight.
3. Grind the pistachios in a small food processor until finely ground. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease two mini bundt muffin tins with butter and dust with pistachio flour.
4. Cupcakes:
   
   In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter and sugar on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, 2–3 minutes. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating until fully incorporated. Stir in the pistachio paste.
5. Reduce mixer speed to low and add the flour mixture in two additions. Spoon about 1/4 cup of batter into each cup and smooth the surface.
6. Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 20 minutes. Invert the cupcakes onto a wire rack and let cool. Spoon 2 tablespoons of chilled lemon curd into the center of each cupcake.