Lemon Meringue Cupcakes, Say Hello to My Little Blowtorch

I needed a break from cookies. So I made beef bourguignon. Sike! I made cupcakes.

A touch of Joy of Baking's recipe for Vanilla "Fairy Cakes" -- except with a 1/2 teaspoon of Lemon Extract and 1/2 teaspoon of Vanilla Extract.

A dash of Tartine's Meringue topping from a cake recipe on page 81 of their cookbook, since I thoroughly trust their proportions of egg whites to sugar.

A pinch of Lemon Curd, if you wish.

A delicate blast of like 2000 degrees Fahrenheit from the cute mini butane tank in the palm of your hand.  Cue the grunt: [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BAhVmjptZMI]

And it's "Yummy all day" say the Critics*.

*= Oscar

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