Lemon Meringue Cupcakes

INGREDIENTS

3 cups

all-purpose flour

1 tbsp

baking powder

1/2 tsp

salt

1 cup

unsalted butter, room temperature

2 cups

sugar

large eggs (room temperature)

Finely grated zest of 3 lemons (about 3 tablespoons, plus 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice)

1 tsp

pure vanilla extract

1 cup

buttermilk

large egg yolks

Finely grated zest of 2 lemons

1/2 cup

plus 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice (about 3 lemons)

1 cup

sugar

1/8 tsp

salt

1 1/4 sticks

unsalted butter, cold, cut into pieces)

1 1/2 cups

plus 2 tablespoons sugar

2/3 cup

water

2 tbsp

light corn syrup

large egg whites (room temperatur)