Lemon meringue cake recipe

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

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. 

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’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.