Description
Silky lemon custard cake delivers a tangy twist on classic dessert traditions. Rich French-inspired layers promise delightful citrus notes that complement creamy textures you’ll savor with pure pleasure.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 large eggs, separated
- 1 ¼ cups (250 g) granulated sugar
- ½ cup (115 g) unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
- 1 ¼ cups (300 ml) whole milk, at room temperature
- ¼ cup (60 ml) fresh lemon juice
- ½ cup (65 g) all-purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Powdered sugar, for dusting
Instructions
- Prep Station: Butter an 8×8-inch baking dish and line with parchment paper, creating overhanging edges for simple cake extraction.
- Egg White Transformation: Whip egg whites in a pristine bowl using an electric mixer until they form stiff, glossy peaks that hold their shape confidently.
- Yolk Fusion: Blend egg yolks with sugar until the mixture becomes a pale, luxurious cream with a silky sheen.
- Flavor Infusion: Combine melted butter, lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla extract into the yolk mixture, stirring until completely integrated.
- Dry Ingredient Integration: Sift flour and salt into the liquid base, whisking methodically to create a smooth, lump-free batter.
- Liquid Harmony: Stream milk into the mixture while continuously stirring, developing a surprisingly light and fluid consistency.
- Aeration Technique: Carefully fold whipped egg whites into the batter in three deliberate stages, preserving the delicate airiness while accepting a slightly uneven texture.
- Baking Preparation: Pour the luminous batter into the prepared dish, ensuring an even distribution across the surface.
- Oven Transformation: Bake in a preheated 325°F oven for 40-50 minutes, monitoring for a golden-kissed top and a subtle jiggle when gently nudged.
- Cooling and Finishing: Allow the cake to cool completely in the pan, enabling it to set and develop its signature custard-like consistency, then dust with powdered sugar and optionally garnish with whipped cream and fresh berries.
Notes
- Preserve Egg White Integrity: Ensure absolutely clean, grease-free bowl and beaters when whipping egg whites to achieve maximum volume and stability.
- Manage Temperature Sensitivity: Allow ingredients like eggs and milk to reach room temperature before mixing to create smoother, more consistent batter and prevent potential curdling.
- Monitor Baking Precision: Watch cake closely during final baking stages; slight wobble indicates perfect custard texture, while over-baking risks dry, dense result.
- Enhance Flavor Variations: Experiment with alternative citrus zests like orange or lime, or incorporate lavender or almond extract for unique flavor profiles while maintaining core recipe technique.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 9
- Calories: 260
- Sugar: 27 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg