This Lemon Delicious pudding emerges from the oven with a magical golden sponge layer on top and a deliciously tangy sauce. It's comforting but not too heavy, so perfect for any occasion.
Lemon Delicious also goes by Lemon Surprise, Self-Saucing Pudding, Soufflé Pudding, and Lemon Magic Pudding. It's an old fashioned favourite which is perfect for those cold winter nights.
If you love comfort food desserts like this one, I have the best recipe for Apple Crumble.
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What is Lemon Delicious?
Lemon Delicious is a dessert made from a simple batter folded with egg whites, giving it a light and fluffy texture. It's baked in a water bath, transforming into two layers; the light and soft sponge layer on top and a tangy curd-like sauce underneath.
Why We Love This Recipe
- SIMPLE - it is made with six simple ingredients.
- SELF SAUCING - no need to make a sauce as it produces its own.
- EASY TO PREPARE - the butter is melted in the microwave or on the stovetop, so there is no need to wait until it softens at room temperature.
Ingredient Notes
Note: The full quantities are shown in the recipe card below.
Flour - use self-raising flour.
Butter - use unsalted butter. Unsalted butter gives you complete control of the overall flavour of your recipe, as the salt content in different brands of butter can vary a lot.
Eggs - separate the eggs into yolks and whites.
Lemons - the key ingredient. Use fresh lemons.
Sugar - use caster sugar. White sugar will also work if you don't have any caster sugar.
Milk - use full cream milk.
Step by Step Directions
Note: This is a summary of the instructions. The full ingredients and instructions are shown in the recipe card below.
1. Prepare the batter following the instructions in the recipe card below.
2. Whisk the egg whites into stiff peaks in a separate bowl using an electric whisk.
3. In two batches, add egg whites to the batter.
4. Fold gently to combine but don't overmix. I use a handheld whisk for this or a spatular.
5. Pour the mixture into the baking dish. Insert it into a larger dish or baking tray and pour hot water halfway up the sides.
6. Bake in the oven for 35-40 minutes until golden. Serve immediately.
Serving Suggestions
As this dessert creates its own lemon sauce, there is no need for anything extra except perhaps a dusting of icing sugar. We love to serve it with fresh berries in the summer.
Faqs and Expert Tips
Lemon Delicious is best served straight out of the oven. You can keep any leftovers in the fridge for a couple of days and reheat when needed. There won't be as much sauce as it soaks into the sponge.
Lemon Delicious is better made and baked straight away for the best results.
I don't recommend freezing Lemon Delicious as it will deflate and won't reheat properly.
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📖 Recipe
Lemon Delicious
Equipment
- 1 baking dish measuring 24cm x 17cm x 4cm deep or similar proportions
Ingredients
- 175 g caster sugar, also known as superfine sugar
- 50 g unsalted butter, plus extra for greasing
- 3 eggs, separated
- 1-2 lemons, zest and 4 tablespoons juice
- 200 mls full cream milk
- 60 g self-raising flour, sifted
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 160°C fan-forced / 180°C / 350°F and lightly grease a baking dish with butter. I use an oval dish measuring 24cm x 17cm x 4cm deep.
- Melt the butter in the microwave or in a saucepan over medium heat. Transfer the melted butter to a large bowl and add the sugar, egg yolks and lemon zest. Mix until smooth. (I use a manual whisk for this).
- Add 4 tablespoons of lemon juice and mix well, then add the sifted flour and mix to combine. Gradually stir in the milk, the mixture should be smooth and runny.
- In a separate bowl, whisk the egg whites until stiff with an electric whisk, then add the egg whites to the batter in two batches. Fold until just combined. Don't overmix! See photos in the recipe post.
- Pour the mixture into the baking dish, then put it in an oven tray. Fill the tray up to halfway with boiling water, then bake in the oven for 35-40 minutes. It's ready when the sponge is golden.
- Serve immediately with a dusting of icing sugar.
Recipe Notes
Reheating Lemon Delicious
Lemon Delicious is best served straight out of the oven. You can keep any leftovers in the fridge for a couple of days and reheat when needed. There won't be as much sauce as it soaks into the sponge.Nutrition
Nutrition: The nutrition information is a rough estimate calculated with an online nutrition calculator.
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