Description
This delightful lemon custard cake is light, airy, and bursting with fresh lemon flavor, perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 large eggs, room temperature
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons lemon zest (from 1–2 lemons)
- ½ cup fresh lemon juice
- 1½ cups whole milk, lukewarm
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- Powdered sugar, for dusting
Instructions
- Prepare your tools and preheat the oven to 325°F (160°C). Line an 8×8-inch baking dish with parchment paper or grease it lightly with butter. This helps the cake release easily once baked.
- Separate the egg whites from the yolks. In a clean bowl, whip the egg whites until stiff peaks form. This will help create that airy top layer that Italian Grandma’s Lemon Custard Cake is known for.
- In a separate large bowl, beat the egg yolks with the sugar until pale and creamy—this usually takes 2–3 minutes. Add the melted butter, lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla extract. Mix until smooth.
- Stir in the flour until just incorporated. Slowly pour in the lukewarm milk and mix until the batter is thin and smooth. It may seem runny—that’s exactly what you want.
- Using a spatula, fold the whipped egg whites into the batter. Don’t worry if some small lumps remain; they’ll help form the layers.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 45–50 minutes, or until the top is lightly golden and set. The center will jiggle slightly—that’s your custard layer.
- Cool completely at room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours (overnight is best). This helps the layers firm up beautifully.
- Before serving, dust the top with powdered sugar for a classic finish. Slice gently with a sharp knife and serve chilled or slightly at room temperature.
Notes
- Ensure all ingredients are at room temperature for the best results.
- For a garnish, consider adding fresh berries alongside the cake.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 60mg