Lemon Pudding Cake

👨‍🍳 How to Make It (Step-by-step)
✔️ Step 1: Prepare the pudding base
Whisk egg, sugar, starch, lemon juice, zest, vanilla, and milk over medium heat until thickened.
💡 Tip: Constant stirring prevents lumps and ensures a silky pudding texture.

✔️ Step 2: Add the butter
Remove pudding from heat and stir in butter until glossy. Set aside to cool.
💡 Secret: Cover with cling film directly on the surface to prevent a skin forming.

✔️ Step 3: Preheat the oven
Set oven to 170–180°C (340°F) while preparing the cake.
💡 Tip: A fully preheated oven guarantees even rise and prevents soggy texture.

✔️ Step 4: Beat the eggs and sugar
Whisk eggs with sugar until pale, light, and fluffy.
💡 Tip: Room-temperature eggs trap more air, making the sponge lighter.

✔️ Step 5: Add flavour and creaminess
Mix in vanilla, sour cream, oil, and lemon juice for moisture and flavour.
💡 Tip: Don’t overmix—gentle folding keeps the batter airy.

✔️ Step 6: Incorporate the dry ingredients
Sift flour and baking powder, then fold into the wet mixture.
💡 Secret: Sifting removes lumps and ensures even texture.

✔️ Step 7: Prepare the baking dish
Line with parchment and lightly grease.
💡 Tip: Leave extra paper hanging over edges for easy lifting after baking.

✔️ Step 8: Assemble the layers
Pour cake batter into the dish, then spoon pudding gently on top without mixing.
💡 Secret: Use a spatula to spread pudding evenly—this creates distinct layers.

✔️ Step 9: Bake the cake
Bake for 35–40 minutes until golden brown and set.
💡 Tip: Insert a skewer into the sponge (not pudding); it should come out clean.

✔️ Step 10: Cool and serve
Let rest slightly, then serve warm or chilled. Dust with icing sugar if desired.
💡 Secret: Chilling overnight intensifies lemon flavour and improves texture.

🏡 Get ready to fall in love with homemade bread all over again 💚

🛒 Ingredients
For the Pudding:
🥚 1 egg
🫙 1 tsp vanilla extract
🍚 50 g sugar (2 tbsp)
🧂 Pinch of salt
🍃 20 g starch (1 tbsp)
🍀 Zest of 1 lemon
🍋 Juice of ½ lemon
🍶 200 ml milk (⅔ cup)
🥓 25 g butter (1½ tbsp)

For the Cake:
🥚 3 eggs
🍚 150 g sugar (¾ cup)
🫙 1 tsp vanilla extract
🥛 50 g sour cream (2 heaping tbsp)
🌻 150 ml vegetable oil (¾ cup)
🍋 Juice of ½ lemon
🌸 250 g all-purpose flour (1½ cups + 1 tbsp)
🧃 15 g baking powder (1 tsp)

🧊 Storage & Freshness Tips
❄️ Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
❄️ Best enjoyed within 24 hours while layers remain fresh and distinct.
❄️ Freeze slices wrapped in cling film for up to 1 month.
❄️ Warm leftovers in the microwave for 15 seconds before serving.
❄️ Add fresh lemon zest before serving to refresh flavour after storage.

🍽️ Kitchen Tools and 🛠️ Equipment Needed 🔪
🥣 Mixing bowls
🌀 Whisk
🍋 Zester or fine grater
📏 Measuring cups & spoons
🧈 Rubber spatula
📄 Baking parchment
🔥 Ovenproof baking dish
🔪 Sharp knife for slicing
🍥 Fine sieve for flour and starch

🥗 Nutritional Benefits
🍋 This Lemon Pudding Cake is a delightful balance of comfort and lightness. Thanks to the fresh lemon juice and zest, it provides a natural source of vitamin C, which supports immunity and adds a refreshing tang. The eggs contribute protein, helping with satiety, while the milk and butter add calcium for bone health. Unlike heavy cream-based desserts, this recipe stays relatively light, with a moderate calorie count per serving, making it a sweet treat you can enjoy without guilt. ✨

💡 Tip: For an even lighter version, you can substitute part of the oil with unsweetened applesauce or Greek yoghurt.
💡 Secret: Using less sugar but boosting the lemon zest keeps the flavour vibrant without feeling overly sweet.

🌿 Health Benefits of the Ingredients
🍋 Lemons are packed with vitamin C, which supports the immune system and keeps skin radiant.
🥚 Eggs are rich in protein and essential amino acids, providing sustained energy.
🥛 Milk adds calcium for strong bones and teeth.
🌿 Vanilla extract contains antioxidants that help reduce inflammation.
🧈 Butter offers fat-soluble vitamins, including A and E, which aid cell health.
🍋 Lemon zest provides natural flavonoids that support heart health.
🌱 Sour cream contributes probiotics, which can support gut health.
🥥 Vegetable oil delivers healthy fats that help with nutrient absorption.
🍰 Flour offers slow-release carbohydrates, giving you energy throughout the day.
🧃 Baking powder ensures a light texture without excess fat, making desserts less heavy.

📅 Serving Suggestions
🍰 Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a melt-in-the-mouth delight.
🍵 Pair with Earl Grey tea for a calming afternoon break.
🍋 Garnish with thin lemon slices for an elegant table presentation.
🥂 Offer as a light dessert after a seafood dinner to cleanse the palate.
🍓 Add fresh strawberries or raspberries on the side for a fruity twist.
🌿 Sprinkle with mint leaves for a refreshing pop of green.
🍶 Drizzle with a little honey or lemon syrup for extra indulgence.
♨️ Serve chilled from the fridge on a hot day for a refreshing contrast.
🍽️ Plate individually with powdered sugar dusted on top for a restaurant-style look.
🎂 Present whole at the table and slice in front of guests for a dramatic reveal.

💡 Top 20 Tips
💡 Use freshly squeezed lemon juice for the best flavour.
💡 Grate only the yellow part of the lemon zest, avoiding bitterness from the white pith.
💡 Whisk the eggs until pale to achieve maximum fluffiness.
💡 Always let the pudding cool slightly before layering it over the batter.
💡 Don’t overmix the cake batter; gentle folding keeps it light.
💡 Preheat the oven fully before baking for even results.
💡 Line the baking dish with parchment paper for easy removal.
💡 Test doneness with a toothpick—if it comes out clean, the cake is ready.
💡 Allow the cake to rest for 10 minutes before slicing to keep layers intact.
💡 Use room-temperature ingredients for a smoother batter.
💡 Sift the flour and baking powder together for an even rise.
💡 Replace some sugar with honey for a softer sweetness.
💡 Add a tiny pinch of nutmeg to the cake batter for a warm undertone.
💡 Chill the cake overnight for firmer pudding layers.
💡 Dust with icing sugar right before serving, not earlier.
💡 Store leftovers in an airtight container to keep moisture locked in.
💡 Use a glass baking dish to better see the layers form while baking.
💡 For extra shine, brush the baked cake with a thin glaze of lemon syrup.
💡 If baking for guests, bake two small cakes instead of one large for easy serving.
💡 Serve with whipped cream for extra decadence.

Perfect with tea, coffee, or as a naturally sweetened dessert! 🌸