Gluten-Free Lovely Lemon Cupcakes

2 cups almond flour

¾ cup gluten-free all-purpose baking flour

¼ teaspoon baking powder

1 cup butter, softened

2 cups sucanat (crystallized sugar cane juice)

1 (15 ounce) container ricotta cheese

4 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

½ teaspoon pure lemon oil

½ cup prepared lemon curd

14 ounces cream cheese, softened

1 cup butter, softened

1 ⅓ cups confectioners sugar

1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract

1 ½ teaspoons pure lemon oil

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

Line 14 muffin cups with paper liners.

Sift almond flour, gluten-free all-purpose baking flour, and baking powder together in a bowl.

Cream 1 cup butter with sucanat in the mixing bowl of a stand mixer until light and fluffy, 1 to 2 minutes; mix in ricotta cheese.

Beat in eggs, one at a time, beating each egg in thoroughly before adding the next one. Gradually beat in almond flour mixture, about 1/4 cup at a time, scraping down the sides of the bowl often. Mix 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and 1/2 teaspoon lemon oil into the batter until evenly blended.

Fill the prepared muffin cups about 2/3 full.

Bake in the preheated oven until cupcakes have risen and are very lightly golden brown, 25 to 30 minutes. Do not open oven doors until 25 minutes of baking time have elapsed.

Allow cupcakes to cool thoroughly.

Cut plugs out of the centers of the cupcakes and fill each hole with about 1 1/2 teaspoon lemon curd.

Beat cream cheese and 1 cup butter in the mixing bowl of a stand mixer until smooth and creamy. Mix in confectioners sugar, 1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract and 1 1/2 teaspoon lemon oil to make a smooth, spreadable frosting. Frost the filled cupcakes.