You won’t be able to tell from the taste, but this is a (relatively) low-fat dessert. Some recipes for Lemon Raspberry Pudding Cake use butter, but my mother, who introduced me to this recipe, never did.
As you mix the ingredients, you will notice that the batter is very light. As the cake bakes, it separates into two layers. The top becomes one of the lightest cakes ever, and the bottom forms into an intense lemon pudding. Feel free to substitute blueberries instead of raspberries if desired.
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As you can see from the photo, this cake does not cut well. Instead of cutting, scoop the cake from the pan with a big spoon. While it might be a humble-looking dessert, but those are often the best.
INGREDIENTS
- 6-ounce package of fresh raspberries
- 2 large lemons
- 1/3 cup lemon juice
- 1/4 cup flour (35 grams or 1 heavy ounce)
- 1/3 teaspoon salt
- 2/3 cup, plus 1/4 cup sugar, divided (180 grams total or 6 1/3 ounces total)
- 3 eggs, separated
- 1 1/3 cups milk (I use 2 percent, but whole will also work. Don’t use skim milk.)
INSTRUCTIONS
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray or butter a 10-inch glass pie plate or individual ramekins. Pour the raspberries into the pie plate or divide them between the ramekins. Set aside.
- Grate 1 tablespoon lemon rind. Squeeze 1/3 cup lemon juice. Set aside.
- Whisk the flour, salt, and 2/3 cup sugar together. Whisk the yolks, milk, rind, and juice in a small bowl. Add to the flour and whisk until completely blended.
- Beat whites until soft peaks form; add the 1/4 cup sugar slowly and beat until stiff peaks form. Whisk a quarter of the whites into the flour mixture; fold in the remaining whites. It is easiest to use a whisk here with a folding technique.
- Pour into the pie plate. Place pie plate with mixture in another pan and fill it with water about halfway up the pan.
- If using a 10-inch pie plate, bake for 45 to 50 minutes, until the cake is puffed and golden. For individual ramekins, bake for about 30 minutes, depending on the size of the ramekins.
- Serve warm or at room temperature.
