Description
Creamy lemon custard cake delights dessert enthusiasts with its silky layers of tangy sweetness. Rich European flavors and delicate textures invite home cooks to savor each delectable bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 large eggs (room temperature, separated)
- 1.75 cups (414 ml) milk (lukewarm)
- 0.75 cup (90 g) all-purpose flour
- 0.5 cup (113 g) unsalted butter (melted and slightly cooled)
- 0.75 cup (150 g) sugar
- 0.25 cup (60 ml) freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 2 large lemons (grated zest)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- powdered sugar (for dusting)
Instructions
- Preparation: Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, lightly greasing to prevent sticking, ensuring overhangs for easy removal.
- Egg White Technique: Whip egg whites to stiff, glossy peaks and reserve momentarily, creating a foundation for the cake’s ethereal texture.
- Base Mixture: Blend egg yolks and sugar until transforming into a pale, creamy consistency, establishing the cake’s rich undertone.
- Liquid Integration: Fold in melted butter, vanilla extract, lemon juice, and zest, stirring until the mixture achieves a harmonious, fragrant blend.
- Dry Ingredient Incorporation: Gently mix flour into the creamy base, maintaining a delicate touch to preserve the batter’s airiness.
- Liquid Transformation: Stream lukewarm milk into the mixture, whisking continuously to create a smooth, pourable consistency.
- Folding Technique: Delicately integrate whipped egg whites into the batter, preserving small white clusters that will generate a cloud-like top layer.
- Baking Process: Pour the gossamer batter into the prepared pan, ensuring even distribution, then place in a preheated 325°F (165°C) oven.
- Monitoring and Completion: Bake for 40-60 minutes, watching for a firm surface with a gentle center wobble; shield with foil if browning too quickly.
- Finishing Touches: Cool completely in the pan, then dust with a light veil of powdered sugar and refrigerate any remaining slices for optimal freshness.
Notes
- Egg White Technique: Whip egg whites to stiff, glossy peaks for a light, airy texture that creates the cake’s signature delicate layer.
- Mixing Strategy: Fold ingredients gently to maintain the batter’s airiness, avoiding overmixing which can deflate the delicate structure.
- Temperature Control: Bake at a lower 325°F to prevent excessive browning and ensure even, gentle cooking of the custard-like cake.
- Storage Tip: Refrigerate leftovers to maintain the cake’s moisture and delicate consistency, best consumed within 2-3 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40-60 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 9
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 14 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 26 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg