Description
Silky lemon sponge custard emerges as French pastry magic on your plate. Delicate layers of citrus and cream invite dessert enthusiasts toward pure culinary bliss.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 eggs, separated
- 1 cup (200 g) granulated white sugar
- 1 cup (240 ml/8 fl oz) milk (whole or reduced fat, but not skim)
- ⅓ cup (80 ml/2.7 fl oz) freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 4 tbsps (57 g) unsalted butter, room temperature
- ⅓ cup (40 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp lemon zest (outer yellow skin of lemon)
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1/8 tsp cream of tartar (optional)
Instructions
- Preparation: Lavishly butter six 1-cup ramekins and preheat oven to 325°F (165°C), creating a hospitable environment for the delicate dessert.
- Base Mixture: Cream butter and sugar until ethereally light, then seamlessly incorporate egg yolks, vanilla extract, and lemon zest, blending into a smooth, aromatic foundation.
- Batter Development: Delicately fold flour and salt into the mixture, alternating with milk and lemon juice to craft a silky, luminous batter with balanced citrus undertones.
- Meringue Creation: Whip egg whites with cream of tartar, gradually introducing sugar until achieving glossy, robust peaks that promise ethereal texture.
- Batter Fusion: Tenderly fold whipped egg whites into the base, preserving the mixture’s delicate airiness and ensuring a cloud-like consistency.
- Baking Technique: Transfer batter to ramekins, filling three-quarters full, then nestle into a water bath, creating a gentle steaming environment for even, luxurious cooking.
- Oven Transformation: Bake for 40-45 minutes until golden-crowned and a toothpick emerges pristine, signaling the custard’s perfect doneness.
- Finishing Touch: Allow slight cooling, then dust with powdered sugar and optionally adorn with whipped cream and seasonal fruit for an elegant presentation.
- Serving: Offer warm or at room temperature, inviting guests to savor the dessert’s nuanced textures and bright, lemony essence.
Notes
- Maintain Egg White Integrity: Whip egg whites in a completely clean, grease-free bowl to ensure maximum volume and stability during folding.
- Water Bath Precision: Use hot water when creating the water bath to help maintain consistent baking temperature and prevent cracking of the custard.
- Gentle Folding Technique: Use a spatula and fold egg whites in a figure-eight motion, turning the bowl as you go to preserve the delicate air bubbles.
- Temperature Matters: Let ingredients like eggs and milk come to room temperature before mixing to ensure smoother integration and better overall texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 242
- Sugar: 28 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 185 mg