Fluffy Lemon Meringue Cloud Cake Recipe

Heavenly Lemon Meringue Cloud Cake Recipe for Sweet Dreams

Whispers of tangy lemon and silky meringue dance together in this irresistible lemon meringue cloud cake that promises pure dessert magic.

Delicate layers of soft sponge embrace bright citrus notes with elegant simplicity.

The cake melts like gossamer on your tongue, delivering a symphony of sweet and zesty flavors.

Light as air and impossibly smooth, each slice tells a story of culinary craftsmanship.

Pillowy meringue crowns this delectable creation, adding a cloud-like texture that elevates every bite.

Bakers seeking a show-stopping dessert will fall in love with this remarkable recipe that turns ordinary ingredients into extraordinary pleasure.

Prepare to be enchanted by a dessert that’s both comforting and sophisticated.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Calories: 250 kcal

Servings: 9

What Goes Into Lemon Meringue Cloud Cake

For Cake Base:
  • Egg Whites: The magical foundation that gives the cake its cloudlike texture, ensuring a light and airy structure. Choose fresh, room-temperature eggs for maximum volume and stability.
  • Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps stabilize the egg white foam, creating a glossy and robust meringue. Opt for fine granulated sugar for smooth incorporation.
  • Cake Flour: Delivers a delicate, tender crumb with its lower protein content. Select fresh, sifted cake flour for the most refined texture.
  • Cream of Tartar: Acts as a stabilizing agent that helps egg whites maintain their voluminous structure and prevents overbeating. Use fresh, clump-free cream of tartar.
  • Vanilla Extract: Adds a warm, aromatic depth to balance the cake's lightness. Choose pure vanilla extract for the most authentic flavor.
  • Salt: Enhances overall flavor and helps balance the sweetness. Use fine sea salt for even distribution.
For Lemon Filling:
  • Lemon Curd: Introduces a bright, tangy counterpoint to the sweet cake. Select a high-quality, smooth lemon curd with vibrant citrus notes.
For Meringue Topping:
  • Egg Whites, Sugar, Cream of Tartar: Work together to create a billowy, glossy crown that transforms the cake into a showstopping dessert. Ensure eggs are at room temperature for maximum volume and stability.

Tools to Bake Lemon Meringue Cloud Cake

Equipment & Tools:
  • Stand mixer or electric hand mixer: Essential for whipping egg whites to fluffy perfection and creating silky meringue.
  • 10-inch tube pan: Crucial for achieving the cake's signature light and airy texture.
  • Large mixing bowl: Perfect for combining ingredients and whipping egg whites.
  • Sifter: Helps create smooth, lump-free flour and sugar mixture.
  • Knife: Used for cutting through batter and loosening cake from pan.
  • Parchment paper-lined baking sheet: Provides a stable surface for assembling and decorating the cake.
  • Spatula: Ideal for folding ingredients and spreading meringue with gentle precision.

Step-by-Step for Lemon Meringue Cloud Cake

  • Cloud Foundation Preparation

Gather pristine egg whites in a spacious mixing vessel. Carefully blend fine sugar with delicate cake flour, sifting the mixture to ensure silky smoothness.

  • Whipping Magic

Transform egg whites into a billowy landscape using cream of tartar and vanilla. Gradually introduce sugar, whisking with determination until glossy peaks emerge that stand tall and proud.

  • Gentle Folding

Softly incorporate flour into the cloud-like mixture, maintaining the airy essence with tender, deliberate movements. Preserve the ethereal volume created during whipping.

  • Baking Transformation

Pour the delicate batter into an ungreased tube pan. Eliminate potential air pockets with a gentle knife swirl. Bake in a warm oven until the surface turns a golden sunset hue, approximately 35-40 minutes.

  • Cooling Patience

Allow the cake to rest upside down, letting gravity work its magic. The cake will cool completely, developing its signature light texture.

  • Lemon Curd Embrace

Slice the cooled cake horizontally. Generously spread tangy lemon curd between layers, creating a zesty surprise within the fluffy interior.

  • Meringue Crown

Whip fresh egg whites until they form elegant, glossy peaks. Lovingly drape the meringue across the cake, creating swirling peaks that resemble soft clouds dancing atop the dessert.

Helpful Tips for Lemon Meringue Cloud Cake Success

  • Cooking Tips & Variations
  • Egg White Magic: Room temperature egg whites whip up faster and reach higher peaks. Separate eggs when they're cold, then let them sit for 30 minutes before beating to achieve maximum volume.
  • Flour Finesse: Sift cake flour twice to prevent lumps and ensure a lighter, more delicate cake texture. Use a fine-mesh sieve for best results.
  • Pan Perfection: Never grease a tube pan for angel food cakes – the batter needs to cling to the sides to rise properly. An ungreased, aluminum tube pan works best for even heat distribution.
  • Flavor Adventure: Swap lemon curd with passion fruit, raspberry, or orange curd for a delightful twist. Experiment with different citrus zests in the meringue for exciting flavor combinations.
  • Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the cake a day ahead and store at room temperature, covered. Add the meringue topping just before serving to maintain its pristine, fluffy texture.

How to Serve the Cloud-Like Cake

  • Citrus Celebration Platter: Arrange cake slices on a bright, white ceramic platter with scattered fresh lemon wedges and mint leaves for a stunning presentation that screams summer elegance.
  • Afternoon Tea Delight: Pair each slice with a delicate cup of Earl Grey tea or lavender-infused chamomile, creating a sophisticated dessert experience that transports guests to a refined tea party.
  • Dessert Wine Companion: Serve alongside a chilled glass of sweet Moscato or late-harvest Riesling, which complements the cake's tangy lemon notes and enhances its delicate meringue texture.
  • Seasonal Berry Accent: Top each slice with a handful of fresh raspberries or blueberries, adding a burst of color and providing a delightful fruity contrast to the cake's creamy lemon essence.

Storing Leftovers of Lemon Meringue Cloud Cake

  • Quick Slice Strategy: Cut the cake into neat portions before storing to maintain its delicate structure and prevent crumbling during refrigeration.
  • Chill and Shield: Wrap the cake carefully in plastic wrap or place in an airtight container to protect its meringue topping from absorbing other refrigerator odors.
  • Freshness Window: Enjoy the cake within 2-3 days for optimal taste and texture. The delicate meringue starts to weep and lose its cloudlike consistency after this period.
  • Temperature Matters: Always serve slightly chilled or at room temperature. Remove from the refrigerator 15-20 minutes before serving to allow the cake to soften and flavors to bloom.
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Fluffy Lemon Meringue Cloud Cake Recipe

Fluffy Lemon Meringue Cloud Cake Recipe


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4.6 from 31 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour
  • Yield: 9 1x

Description

Gourmet creations like lemon meringue cloud cake showcase delicate citrus flavors balanced with pillowy meringue. Home bakers can craft this elegant dessert with precise techniques and quality ingredients.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 large egg whites, room temperature
  • 4 large egg whites, room temperature
  • 1 cup (120g/4.2 oz) cake flour
  • 1 jar (10 oz/280g) lemon curd
  • 1½ cups (300g/10.6 oz) sugar
  • ¾ cup (100g/3.5 oz) sugar
  • 2 tsps cream of tartar
  • ¾ tsp cream of tartar
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • 1½ tsps vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Preparation: Meticulously arrange all ingredients and equipment, ensuring a pristine workspace for cake creation.
  2. Flour Preparation: Sift cake flour with half the sugar, creating a lightweight, airy foundation for the delicate cake structure.
  3. Meringue Mastery: Whip egg whites with cream of tartar, vanilla extract, and salt, gradually introducing remaining sugar until the mixture achieves glossy, sturdy peaks.
  4. Batter Integration: Gently fold flour mixture into the egg white meringue, preserving the batter’s voluminous character with a delicate touch.
  5. Pan Technique: Transfer the airy batter into an ungreased tube pan, eliminating potential air pockets by carefully running a knife through the mixture.
  6. Baking Process: Position the pan on the lowest oven rack and bake at 350°F, monitoring for a golden-brown transformation and dry surface, approximately 35-40 minutes.
  7. Cooling Strategy: Immediately invert the pan post-baking, allowing the cake to cool completely to maintain its ethereal height and structural integrity.
  8. Cake Release: Once cooled, delicately separate the cake from the pan’s edges using a thin, precise knife.
  9. Filling and Assembly: Slice the cake horizontally, creating layers and spreading a generous coating of tangy lemon curd between the sections before reassembling.
  10. Meringue Finishing: Whip fresh egg whites with cream of tartar, gradually incorporating sugar until achieving stiff, glossy peaks, then artfully spread over the entire cake.
  11. Final Flourish: Optionally, use a kitchen torch to lightly caramelize the meringue’s peaks, adding a golden, toasted dimension to the sophisticated dessert.

Notes

  • Workspace Readiness: Meticulously clean and organize all ingredients and tools before starting to ensure smooth cake preparation.
  • Flour Sifting Technique: Sift flour with half the sugar carefully to create a light, airy foundation that guarantees a delicate cake texture.
  • Egg White Whipping Mastery: Whip egg whites precisely, watching for glossy, sturdy peaks that provide the cake’s signature volume and structure.
  • Gentle Folding Crucial: Use a careful, gentle folding motion when combining ingredients to preserve the batter’s delicate air pockets and maintain its ethereal lightness.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 40 minutes
  • Category: Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 9
  • Calories: 250
  • Sugar: 37g
  • Sodium: 90mg
  • Fat: 0g
  • Saturated Fat: 0g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 0g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 63g
  • Fiber: 0g
  • Protein: 4g
  • Cholesterol: 0mg
Emily Roberts

Emily Roberts

Content Creator & Kitchen Tips Specialist

Expertise

Dietary Planning​, Public Health Nutrition, Nutritional Education​, Content Development​

Education

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

  • Degree: Master of Science in Nutritional Sciences
  • Focus: Research on dietary patterns and their impact on chronic diseases.​

Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)

  • Credential: Expertise in translating nutrition science into practical advice. ​

Emily Roberts is our content specialist and registered dietitian at HealthyChoices.org. With her Master’s degree in Nutritional Sciences from the University of Illinois and her Registered Dietitian Nutritionist certification, Emily uses her deep nutrition knowledge to write helpful, easy-to-understand guides about healthy eating. 

Her warm, practical advice empowers readers to confidently make healthier choices, turning everyday meals into simple moments of wellness and joy.

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