Ingredients
Scale
- 4 eggs (room temperature) – separated
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter – melted and slightly cooled
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
- grated zest from 2 large lemons
- 1 3/4 cups milk – lukewarm
- powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325°F. Line an 8×8-inch baking dish with parchment paper leaving overhang on the sides, lightly grease with cooking spray, then set aside.
- Whip the egg whites until stiff peaks form, set aside.
- Beat the egg yolks and sugar until pale yellow.
- Add melted butter and vanilla and mix until evenly combined.
- Mix in flour until evenly incorporated.
- Add lemon juice and lemon zest and mix until combined.
- Slowly beat in the milk until well combined.
- Add egg whites and whisk by hand. You don’t need to fold it in completely. Leave small egg whites lumps. When you pour it into the pan, lumps will float on the surface and create the top layer during baking.
- Pour the batter into the pan and bake for 40-60 minutes (until the cake is barely jiggly in the center, but the top is firm to touch). Start checking after 35 minutes. If the top browns quickly, cover the cake with aluminum foil. Do not overbake or the cake will turn rubbery.
- Cool the cake completely before dusting it with powdered sugar.
- Store leftovers in the fridge.
Notes
The batter is very thin. Do not overbake to keep the custard texture. Small lumps of egg whites in the batter create the custard top layer during baking.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40-60 minutes
- Method: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 150mg