Preheat your oven to 175°C (350°F) and line a cupcake tray with liners.
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
In a separate bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until fluffy.
Add the eggs into the mixture one by one, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the lemon juice, lemon zest, and vanilla extract.
Gradually mix in the dry ingredients, alternating with the milk, until the batter is smooth.
Divide the batter evenly among the liners and bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Let them cool completely before filling.
Prepare the Lemon Curd Filling:
In a small saucepan, whisk together the egg yolks, sugar, lemon juice, and lemon zest over low heat.
Stir constantly until the mixture thickens (about 5 minutes). Once thickened, remove from heat and stir in the butter until smooth. Allow it to cool completely before using.