Desserts

Lemon Souffle Pudding

Serves 6

Soufflés can be difficult to bake properly, but this imposter is a snap to make. A lemon-lover’s favorite, this light and delicate dessert may seem unmanly, but it makes a complementary finish to large mannish feasts, which are often rich and filling. The bottom is silky and pudding-like while the top has a light meringue-type soufflé thanks to a technique called bain-marie (“water bath”) in which the baking dish is set inside a larger pan filled with hot water.

INGREDIENTS

1 teaspoon unsalted butter, for the baking cups
5 large eggs, separated
3/4 cup sugar
1 tablespoon freshly grated lemon zest
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons confectioners’ sugar, for dusting
Whipped cream, for garnishing

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Using the teaspoon of butter, butter six 2-ounce baking cups or one 12-ounce (8 x 10-inch) oval baking dish. Place the cups or dish in a roasting pan. Bring a tea kettle or medium pot of water to a boil.
2. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, beat the egg whites until stiff. In another clean bowl, beat the egg yolks until frothy and light in color, 3 to 4 minutes. Slowly add the sugar to the yolks while still beating. Mix in the lemon zest and juice.
3. Gently fold the egg whites into the egg yolk-lemon mixture. Pour the batter into each souffle cup (filling each three-quarters full) or the baking dish. Put the roasting pan on the oven rack with the oven door open. Carefully and quickly pour the boiling water into the roasting pan to come halfway up the sides of the baking cups or dish. Slide the pan into the oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes. Don’t overcook.
4. Remove the pan from the oven. Set the cups or dish on a wire rack to cool. To serve, set the cups on serving plates or scoop from the baking dish into individual dishes. Dust with confectioners’ sugar, then top with a dollop of whipped cream.

cook's note

Lemon Zest: If you bake or cook with lemons, limes, and oranges, chances are you’ll frequently need citrus zest. Invest in a Microplane grater; Microplane evolved its range of graters from a traditional carpenter’s rasp. Their graters allow you to effortlessly transform citrus peel into a fine, fluffy pile of zest.

pantry

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