Lemon meringue cake recipe

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This lemon meringue cake can be baked ahead and decorated just before serving. It combines the flavour of lemon cake and lemon meringue pie.

Lemon meringue cake
(Image credit: Future)
Serves6
SkillEasy
Preparation Time25 mins
Cooking Time45 mins
Total Time1 hours 10 mins
Cost RangeCheap
Nutrition Per PortionRDA
Calories654 Kcal33%
Saturated Fat16.5 g83%
Fat32.5 g46%
Carbohydrates82 g32%

This lemon meringue cake is an easy-breezy showstopper that is bound to impress your whole family. 

A subtle twist on the classic lemon drizzle cake, this dessert is a real crowdpleaser. It's baked in a pie dish and there are only five steps in the method. You can enjoy it on it's own but it's also delicious served with cream or ice cream. 

Ingredients 

For the base:

  • 170g unsalted butter
  • 170g caster sugar, plus 1tbsp extra
  • Zest and juice 2 lemons
  • 4 medium egg yolks
  • 25ml milk
  • 100g self-raising flour
  • 50g ground almonds
  • ½tsp baking powder
  • 3tbsp lemon curd

For the meringue:

  • 4 medium egg whites
  • 200g caster sugar
  • 25g chopped roasted hazelnuts, plus extra to decorate

You will need:

  • 25cm round pie dish

WEIGHT CONVERTER

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Method 

  1. Heat the oven to 180C (160C fan, Gas 4). Cream the butter and 170g caster sugar with the lemon zest until pale and creamy. Add the egg yolks one at a time, then add the milk, beating as you go, until fully incorporated.
  2. Fold in the flour, almonds and baking powder, then spoon the mixture into the pie dish and bake for 30 mins.
  3. While the sponge is warm, mix the lemon juice and 1tbsp of sugar, and pour this over the sponge. Gently spread over the lemon curd.
  4. For the meringue, whisk the egg whites until stiff . Add the 200g caster sugar and whisk until sti  peaks form. Fold in the hazelnuts then spoon onto the cake, leaving a 3cm border of cake uncovered around its edge. Scatter a few more hazelnuts on top.
  5. Return to the oven for 25 mins. Serve warm or cool.

Top tips for making lemon meringue cake

You can whip up the cake ahead of time but, if serving warm, add the meringue before you present it, to keep it looking pristine. If you allow it to sit for too long before serving, the meringue will likely weep. 

Does lemon meringue cake need to be refrigerated?

If you have any leftovers, it's best to scrape off the meringue and discard it The sponge base will keep in an airtight container for a couple of days.

Can you eat lemon meringue cake the next day?

The meringue will lose it's crunch and won't be very appetising the next day. The sponge will still be fine but we'd recommend eating the cake on the day it is baked. 

Can I make meringue in advance?

If you would like to make your own mini meringue kisses for the cake decoration, you can make them up to two days ahead. Store in an airtight container until you’re ready to use. Scatter over the top of the cake before serving or in everyone's individual bowl. 

Profile picture of Jessica Ransom
Jessica Ransom

"If you want to make this cake with the meringue topping ahead, I'd recommend making an Italian meringue. It's more stable than a classic meringue and will sit at room temperature very happily. Blowtorch the top just before serving or at the table for some fun theatrics. Read this guide on how to make Italian meringue if you've never made it before." 

In step one of this recipe you need to beat the butter and sugar together until fluffy. The easiest way to do this is with an electric hand mixer. Food editor Jessica Dady likes this set from Kenwood if you need to invest in one.

Kenwood Hand Mixer - View at ASDA

Kenwood Hand Mixer - <a href="https://www.awin1.com/awclick.php?awinmid=2925&awinaffid=103504&clickref=hawk-custom-tracking&p=https%3A%2F%2Fdirect.asda.com%2Fgeorge%2Fhome%2Fblenders-processors%2Fkenwood-hmp30a0wh-hand-mixer%2F050878784%2Cdefault%2Cpd.html" data-link-merchant="awin1.com"" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">View at ASDA

Kenwood’s surprisingly compact hand mixer is light, easy to use and stylish. It’s time to let this handy piece of kit do all the hard work when it comes to baking.

We are sure it will quickly become one of your most used pieces of kitchen equipment. There are five speed settings and the mixer also comes with a dough hook attachment to make light work of kneading bread or pizza dough.

The beaters are made from durable stainless steel and can be washed in the dishwasher.  

You need to try the original recipe that inspired this bake. Our lemon meringue pie is an impressive pudding the whole family will love. For something a little easier try our lemon trifle or lemon pound cake.

Rose Fooks
Deputy Food Editor

Rose Fooks is Deputy Food Editor at Future Publishing, creating recipes, reviewing products and writing food features for a range of lifestyle and home titles including GoodTo and Woman&Home. Before joining the team, Rose obtained a Diplome de Patisserie and Culinary Management at London’s Le Cordon Bleu. Going on to work in professional kitchens at The Delaunay and Zedel.


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