The blackberry-swirled tops of these individual lemon desserts conceal a delicious surprise: the rich citrus pudding underneath. There’s no trick to creating the two layers — simply fill ramekins, dot with blackberry sauce, swirl, and bake in a pan with water. The moist, gentle heat makes the tops light and cakey and the centers smooth and creamy. These treats are fitting summer fare; their flavors are a sweet (and tart) nod to the season.
Advertisement – Continue Reading Below
1
pt.
blackberries
1/2
c.
fresh lemon juice
1
tbsp.
fresh lemon juice
1
c.
sugar
3
tbsp.
sugar
3
tbsp.
unsalted butter
3
large eggs
6
tbsp.
cake flour (not self-rising)
1
c.
milk
3/4
tsp.
salt
boiling water
4
oz.
Creme fraiche
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Process 2 1/2 ounces blackberries (12 to 15 berries), 1 tablespoon lemon juice, and 3 tablespoons sugar in a food processor or blender until smooth. Pass mixture through a fine sieve into a small bowl; discard solids. Set sauce aside.
- Butter inner top inch of six 6-ounce ramekins; set aside. Whisk together egg yolks and 3/4 cup sugar in a medium bowl. Whisk in flour and milk in two batches each, beginning with the flour. Whisk in remaining 1/2 cup lemon juice, the salt, and the melted butter, and set aside.
- Put egg whites in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment; beat on medium-high speed until very frothy, about 1 1/2 minutes. With mixer running, add remaining 1/4 cup sugar in a slow, steady stream; beat until whites hold stiff (but not dry) peaks, about 2 minutes. Whisk half the whites into reserved lemon mixture until combined; gently fold in remaining whites with a rubber spatula.
- Place the ramekins in a high-sided roasting pan or baking dish, and divide the batter among ramekins, filling each almost to the top. Spoon a few drops of berry sauce onto cakes, and use a toothpick or skewer to swirl sauce into batter. Transfer to oven; pour boiling water into pan, a bit more than halfway up sides of ramekins.
- Bake until cakes are set and the tops are just starting to turn golden brown, 35 to 40 minutes. With tongs, transfer the ramekins from pan to a wire rack, and let cool 15 minutes.
- Meanwhile, beat creme fraiche in a clean mixing bowl until it holds soft peaks. Serve cakes warm with creme fraiche and remaining blackberries.
