Lemon Custard Cakes

Name: Lemon Custard Cakes
Prep time: 20 min
Total time: 45 min
Ingredients: Unsalted butter, room temperature, for custard cups; 3 large eggs, separated; 0.5 cup granulated sugar; 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour; 2 to 3 teaspoons grated lemon zest, (1 lemon); 0.25 cup fresh lemon juice; 1 cup milk; 0.25 teaspoon salt; Confectioners' sugar, for dusting

3.7

(98)

16 Reviews

By

Martha Stewart Test Kitchen

Updated on April 15, 2020

Prep Time:

20 mins

Total Time:

45 mins

Servings:

6

These tangy lemon desserts are baked in a hot-water bath, which helps them to stay creamy and custardy beneath their golden, cakey tops.

Ingredients

Unsalted butter, room temperature, for custard cups
3 large eggs, separated
½ cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 to 3 teaspoons grated lemon zest, (1 lemon)
¼ cup fresh lemon juice
1 cup milk
¼ teaspoon salt
Confectioners' sugar, for dusting

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Set a kettle of water to boil. Butter six 6-ounce custard cups and place in a dish towel-lined baking dish or roasting pan.
In a large bowl, whisk egg yolks and sugar until light; whisk in flour. Gradually whisk in lemon juice, then milk and zest.
With an electric mixer, beat egg whites and salt until soft peaks form. Add to lemon batter and fold in gently with a whisk (batter will be quite liquid).
Divide batter among prepared custard cups; place baking dish in oven and fill with boiling water to reach halfway up sides of cups. Bake until puffed and lightly browned (but pudding is still visible in bottom), 20 to 25 minutes. Serve slightly warm or at room temperature, dusted with confectioners' sugar.

Cook's Notes

Baking the desserts in a hot-water bath keeps them creamy and custardy beneath their golden, cakey tops. If you do not have individual custard cups, bake the batter in an eight-inch square baking dish (or other shallow two-quart baking dish) for thirty to thirty-five minutes.