Lemon Pudding Cake

This picture may not look like much but let me tell you, this lemon pudding cake makes for a perfect summery dessert. While baking, the pudding cake separates into two layers – sweet and cakey on top and silky and custardy on bottom. I had never made a pudding cake before and I was surprised at the simple list of ingredients. The technique relies on baking the cake in a water bath and whisking egg whites into soft peaks and then gently folding them into the batter – if you have the patience to handle that, you will love this cake. What it lacks in presentation-quality is definitely made up in taste. I preferred the cake warm while my husband thought it tasted better chilled. Either way, pudding cakes will be gracing our table from now on.

Lemon Pudding Cake

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons cornstarch
  • 1 1/4 cups sugar
  • 5 tablespoons butter, softened
  • 2 tablespoons grated zest and 1/2 cup juice from 4 lemons
  • 5 large eggs, separated
  • 1 1/4 cups whole milk, room temperature
  • 2 quarts boiling water (I used 3 quarts since my roasting pan is extra-large)

Directions

  1. Adjust oven rack to lowest position and heat the oven to 325 degrees. Grease an 8-inch square baking dish. Whisk the flour and cornstarch in a bowl. With the electric mixer on medium-high speed, beat 1/2 cup sugar, butter and lemon zest until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Beat in yolks, one at a time, until incorporated. Reduce the speed to medium-low. Add flour mixture and mix until incorporated. Slowly add milk and lemon juice, mixing until just combined.
  2. Using a clean bowl and the whisk attachment, beat egg whites on medium high speed until soft peaks form, about 2 minutes. With mixer running, slowly add remaining sugar until whites are firm and glossy, about 1 minute. Whisk one-third of the whites into the batter, then gently fold in remaining whites, one scoop at a time, until well combined.
  3. Place a kitchen towel in the bottom of a roasting pan and arrange prepared baking dish on the towel. Spoon batter into the prepared dish. Carefully place the pan on the oven rack and pour boiling water into the pan until water reaches halfway up sides of baking dish. Bake until the surface is golden brown and edges are set (center should still be slightly wiggly), about 60 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack and let cool about 45 minutes. Serve.
http://www.melskitchencafe.com/2009/06/lemon-pudding-cake.html

Recipe Source: adapted from Cook’s Country

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37 Responses to Lemon Pudding Cake

  1. Brittany says:

    I made this last night for a group of my friends after a dinner party, and everyone loved it. Both rich in flavor and a refreshing treat. Thanks!

  2. JoAnn says:

    Made this last night for dessert…and not being able to follow directions very well, I accidentally added about twice as much sugar as the recipe called for. It was still SO good.

  3. Jenn@slim-shoppin says:

    I love everything lemon!

    Thanks for posting such a wonderful treat!

  4. kitchenbelle says:

    This looks absolutely DELICIOUS. I love lemon desserts and the way you describe this one(sweet and cakey on top and silky and custardy on bottom) has my mouth watering!!!!

  5. Cate O'Malley says:

    I love pudding cake, but have never made it before – yours looks fabulous!

  6. figtree says:

    Any lemon dessert and Im in. Looks fantastic!! Figtreeapps

  7. Melanie says:

    Brittany – refreshing is a good way to describe this. I’m glad you and your friends liked it – thanks for letting me know.

  8. Christy says:

    What a great, refreshing dessert for the summer temps!! Yummy!!

  9. Carrie says:

    Great picture! Looks yum-licious!

  10. Colleen says:

    This looks very good – I love the texture of pudding cakes!

  11. Vanessa Shannon says:

    This looks nummy! By the way, did I mention I love the little changes you made to this blog. Looks really clean and organized….my kind of blog!

  12. Simply Be Photo/Melissa says:

    I seriously had no idea that you were the kitchen cafe lady until Tori mentioned it to me. I have seen and heard people talk about your blog a TON! I’m hoping tomorrow holds out for us. I just looked at the forecast and….not so good.

  13. Melanie says:

    Leslie – yes, you do keep the towel in the roasting pan. It helps the cake pan not slide around. Hope that helps!

  14. Pam says:

    Mmmm. Now this is my idea of the PERFECT dessert. Bookmarked!

  15. Patsyk says:

    It sounds like a perfect dessert at this time of year! I think it looks delicious!

  16. grace says:

    it sounds magical!! i’m not crazy about lemon desserts, but how could i resist something so neat and unique? very cool.

  17. Cammee says:

    I love pudding cakes! I have a yummy Cinnamon Raisin Pudding Cake that I make in the winter. Let me know if you’re interested and I’ll send you the recipe. (Ok I feel really weird saying that to the Goddess of cooking blogs!)

  18. PheMom says:

    I saw from my phone the other day that you mentioned moving, but I was hoping it wasn’t far. Good luck with your move!

  19. Jo says:

    I love lemon and I love pudding style cakes also… not that I cook or eat too many of them!!

    Thanks for sharing.

  20. Nan says:

    This cake is amazing! I give it a 10. I tried it and posted about it on my blog.http://hobblecreekkitchen.blogspot.com/2009/07/too-much-fun.html
    Good work!

  21. Bunny says:

    OMG the way this pudding separates into 2 layers is just like a lemon sponge pie!! I would love this!

  22. Melanie says:

    Cammee – you are so funny, of COURSE I would love your recipe for your Cinnamon Raisin Pudding Cake. By no means am I a goddess of cooking…I absolutely love it when people send me recipes! If you don’t mind, email it to melwg @ hotmail . com

  23. Melanie says:

    Nan – thanks for letting me know you liked this! I am on my way to check out your blog post about it…

  24. Karine says:

    That looks great! Lemon is wonderdul when used as an ingredient for dessert!

  25. Norah says:

    I wondered how that cake would turn out. Its on my list of recipes from Cooks Country to try. Your picture looks great!

  26. teresa says:

    Mmm, I have a feeling I’d be licking the plate after eating this one!

  27. Melanie says:

    JoAnn – glad you liked this and that it wasn’t too sickeningly sweet with double the sugar! Thanks for letting me know.

  28. leslie the licorice stick lady says:

    question—I really want to make this today for a family dinner, but I just wanted to know if you keep the towel in the roasting pan when you pour the water around the cake pan?

  29. Kevin says:

    With the cake and pudding layers that looks so good!

  30. Melody says:

    Yummy! I love Cook’s Country. I learn so much when I watch that show.

  31. Delectable Dining says:

    I don’t think yours lacks in presentation at all! It looks wonderful!

  32. Loralee says:

    Do you think could I cheat and make this cake with just lemon juice, and no zest?

  33. Mel says:

    Loralee – hmmm…the foodie in me is saying don’t do it! But I’m all about substitutions so you could definitely try it. The lemon flavor won’t be nearly as strong (especially if it is bottled juice) but in my world, everything is worth a try. Good luck!

  34. Helen says:

    i’m from yorkshire, england (but now live in utah). this is one of my father’s favorite desserts. we call it ‘lemon snow’ at home. i’m excited to see how it compares.

  35. Mel says:

    I hope you like it, Helen! Let me know what you think.

  36. Luv2cook says:

    I made your slow cooker chocolate cake wich was soo good..i will make this next time I decide to cheat on my diet lol..carrot is my most favorite of cakes though.can you find a way to make a carrot pudding cake..all of your recipes are so gooood if anyone can help me with this it’s you

  37. Mel says:

    Luv2cook – hmmm, a carrot cake pudding cake. Interesting idea!

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