Meyer Lemon Pudding Cakes

Meyer Lemon Pudding Cakes feature a layer of lemon pudding underneath a soft, sweet lemon cake. And it’s all made with just one batter!

Looking for more ways to make pudding cake? Check out this easy chocolate pudding cake!

Pudding cakes are a lovely combination of, you guessed it, pudding and cake. And, these Meyer Lemon Pudding Cakes do all of that with a nice lemon flavor. When you dig your spoon into them past that sugary, brûlée-like top, you first get a light layer of cake. But keep going and you’ll find a lovely layer of pudding at the bottom.

Why You’ll Love This Lemon Pudding Cake Recipe

• Dual delight. Experience the best of both worlds with a soft cake atop a creamy lemon pudding. Each spoonful is a perfect harmony of textures and flavors.
• Surprisingly simple. Despite their complex appearance, these pudding cakes are incredibly easy to make with just a few basic ingredients and steps.
• Zesty lemon flavor. Made with Meyer lemons, these cakes offer a uniquely vibrant and slightly sweet citrus taste that’s more nuanced than the usual lemon dessert.
• Effortlessly elegant. These lemon pudding cakes bring a touch of elegance to any occasion, from a dinner party to a quiet night at home.

What You’ll Need

If you’ve got lemons, then you very likely have everything else you need to make these delicious pudding cakes! See the recipe card below for ingredient quantities and full instructions.

• Granulated sugar
• All-purpose flour
• Eggs – You’ll mix the yolks and whites at different times in the recipe, so separate them when you’re gathering ingredients. Remember that they’ll separate more easily when they’re cold but mix better when closer to room temperature.
• Unsalted butter
• Milk
• Lemons – You’ll need both zest and juice of either Meyer lemons or regular lemons. (Learn more: How to Zest and Juice Lemons) For more about Meyer lemons in comparison to regular lemons, see the section below.
• Salt
• Coarse sugar – This is an optional addition, but it creates a sweet crunchy topping that goes nicely with these little cakes.

Meyer Lemons Versus Regular Lemons

Meyer lemons are believed to be a cross between regular lemons and mandarin oranges. They’re smaller and rounder than regular lemons and have a smooth skin. They’re more sweet than tart, giving them a more mellow flavor. You’re most likely to find them in the early months of the year.

Regular lemons are usually Eureka or Lisbon lemons. They are larger and oblong with textured skins. Their flavor leans more toward tart than sweet. They’re generally available year-round.

These cakes feature Meyer lemons, which are milder and sweeter than traditional lemons. They make for a lighter, subtler flavor. You can, of course, use whichever type of lemon you’d like.

How to Make Lemon Pudding Cakes

This recipe is fairly straightforward, although it has a few special steps that are necessary to achieve the layers in the cakes.

• Prepare for baking. Heat the oven to 350°F. Place six 4-ounce ramekins inside a large baking pan. A 9″ x 13″ x 2″ pan or a roasting pan works well. Most any oven-safe pan that the ramekins fit inside comfortably will work as long as you can fill with water as described below. Divide the ramekins into two pans if needed.
• Mix most of the ingredients. Whisk together the sugar and flour in a large mixing bowl. In a separate bowl, combine the egg yolks and butter until well-mixed. Whisk in the milk, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Add the lemon mixture to the sugar mixture, whisking until smooth.

• Beat the egg whites. With an electric mixer on medium-high speed, beat the egg whites and salt until stiff peaks form. (When you lift the whisk or beater out of the mixture, there should be a peak that points straight upward.)
• Add the egg whites to the lemon mixture. Use a rubber spatula to fold the egg whites gently into the lemon mixture. Once mixed, it should be smooth and foamy. Be sure not to over-mix.

• Portion and bake. Divide the mixture evenly among the ramekins. Sprinkle the top of each cake with coarse sugar, if using. Pour hot water into the large baking pan so that it’s about halfway up the sides of the ramekins. Bake 40 to 45 minutes, or until the tops of the cakes are golden brown.
• Cool the cakes. Use tongs or a jar lifter to lift the cakes carefully out of the pan and onto a wire rack to cool for about 15 to 20 minutes before serving. (They’ll sink a bit as they cool.)

Serving Suggestions

You can serve this lemon pudding cake with no extra toppings, and I assure you that you’ll be most happy. But if you want to dress it up a bit, here are some suggestions:

• Confectioners’ sugar – Just a sprinkle on top before serving.
• Sweetened whipped cream – Add a dollop on top, and add a pinch more zest if you like.
• Fresh berries – Pick one or an assortment to complement the lemon flavor.
• Vanilla ice cream – A scoop of vanilla ice cream melting into the warm pudding cake creates a deliciously indulgent treat.
• Candied lemon peel – For even more lemon flavor.

How to Store Lemon Pudding Cakes

These Meyer Lemon Pudding Cakes will be best the day they’re made, but you can cover them tightly and refrigerate overnight. Rewarm the puddings for 10 to 15 minutes in a 350°F oven.

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