Description
Light, bright, and melt-in-your-mouth delicious, this Lemon Custard Cake bakes into three magical layers: a fluffy sponge top, a creamy lemon custard center, and a soft buttery base. Perfect for citrus lovers and easy enough for any day.
Ingredients
4 large eggs, separated
150 g granulated sugar
113 g unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
95 g all-purpose flour
500 ml whole milk, lukewarm
80 ml freshly squeezed lemon juice
Zest of 2 lemons
1 tbsp water
1 pinch salt
Powdered sugar, for dusting
Lemon slices and mint leaves, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 160°C (325°F). Grease and line an 8-inch (20 cm) square pan with parchment.
2. Separate eggs. Place yolks in a large bowl and whites in a clean mixing bowl.
3. Whisk egg yolks with sugar until pale and slightly thick.
4. Whisk in melted butter, then add lemon juice, lemon zest, and water.
5. Whisk in flour and salt until smooth (no lumps).
6. Slowly whisk in the lukewarm milk to make a thin batter.
7. Beat egg whites to stiff peaks.
8. Gently fold egg whites into the batter in 3 additions, leaving a few soft white streaks (do not overmix).
9. Pour batter into prepared pan and bake 45–50 minutes, until lightly golden on top and the center still jiggles slightly.
10. Cool completely in the pan, then chill at least 1 hour before slicing for clean layers. Dust with powdered sugar and garnish if desired.
Notes
For best layers, make sure the milk is lukewarm (not hot) and the butter is not sizzling hot.
Fold the egg whites gently—overmixing can reduce the fluffy top layer.
The cake sets as it cools; chilling helps the custard layer firm up and slice neatly.
Store covered in the refrigerator up to 3 days. Serve chilled or at room temperature.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: International
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 260
- Sugar: 22 g
- Sodium: 120 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg