Heavenly Lemon Meringue Cloud Cake Recipe: Sweet Bliss

Lemon meringue cloud cake represents a dreamy dessert that dances between tangy brightness and billowy sweetness.

Light as air and impossibly elegant, this confection reimagines simple ingredients into a culinary masterpiece.

Soft meringue layers float above zesty lemon cream, creating a sensational texture that melts on your tongue.

Mediterranean citrus notes weave through each delicate bite, promising a refreshing escape from ordinary desserts.

Bakers who adore sophisticated sweets will find this recipe both challenging and rewarding.

Intricate techniques merge with stunning visual appeal, making every slice a conversation starter.

The magic happens when classic techniques blend with modern pastry innovation.

Experience the Lightness of a Lemon Meringue Cloud Cake

• Whip Up Cloud-Like Texture: This cake boasts an impossibly light, airy meringue that literally melts in your mouth, creating a cloud-soft experience that defies gravity and delights the senses.
• Burst with Zesty Lemon Excitement: The bright, tangy lemon curd provides a perfect contrast to the sweet meringue, delivering a flavor explosion that dances between sweet and tart with every single bite.
• Master a Showstopping Dessert: Despite its impressive appearance, this cake is surprisingly achievable for home bakers, offering a technique-building experience that looks like it came straight from a professional pastry kitchen while being surprisingly manageable.
• Perfect for Celebration Moments: Whether you're hosting a brunch, marking a special occasion, or simply craving a spectacular dessert, this cake transforms ordinary moments into extraordinary memories with its stunning visual appeal and irresistible flavor profile.

Gather What You Need for This Airy Dessert

• Egg Whites: Provide structure and volume for a light, airy cake texture, best when at room temperature.
• Sugar: Sweetens and stabilizes the meringue, helping create a smooth and glossy texture.
• Cake Flour: Ensures a delicate, tender crumb with its low protein content.
• Cream of Tartar: Stabilizes egg whites and helps create a more consistent meringue.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds a subtle, warm flavor to complement the lemon.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances the sweetness.

• Lemon Curd: Provides a tangy, bright filling that adds moisture and intense citrus flavor, store-bought or homemade works well.

• Egg Whites, Sugar, Cream of Tartar: Create a light, glossy, and stable topping that browns beautifully when torched or baked.

Baking Your Cake: From Batter to Golden Peaks

Step 1: Whip Up the Dreamy Cake Base

Sift cake flour and half the sugar together twice. In a spacious mixing bowl, combine egg whites with cream of tartar, vanilla, and salt. Beat at medium speed until foamy. Gradually add remaining sugar, 2 tablespoons at a time, until stiff, glossy peaks form. Gently fold in flour mixture, preserving the cloud-like volume.

Step 2: Bake to Golden Perfection

Transfer batter to an ungreased 10-inch tube pan. Slice through batter with a knife to remove air bubbles. Place on lowest oven rack and bake at 350°F for 35-40 minutes until golden and dry to touch. Immediately invert pan and let cake cool completely for 1 hour.

Step 3: Create Luscious Lemon Curd

Whisk lemon juice, zest, sugar, eggs, and butter in a saucepan. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly until mixture thickens. Strain and cool completely.

Step 4: Slice and Fill

Loosen cake edges with a knife. Carefully remove from pan and slice horizontally into two layers. Spread cooled lemon curd between layers on a parchment-lined sheet.

Step 5: Craft the Billowy Meringue Topping

Whip egg whites with cream of tartar until soft peaks form. Gradually add sugar, beating on high until stiff, glossy peaks develop.

Step 6: Decorate with Heavenly Peaks

Generously spread meringue over cake, creating dramatic swirls and peaks. Use a kitchen torch to lightly brown meringue or broil carefully for a golden finish.

Secrets to Achieving the Perfect Meringue Crown

• Whip Egg Whites with Precision: Use room temperature egg whites for maximum volume, and ensure absolutely no yolk contamination, which can prevent proper peak formation.
• Prevent Deflation Technique: Fold flour gently using a bottom-to-top motion with a rubber spatula, turning the bowl gradually to maintain the meringue's delicate air bubbles.
• Pan Selection Matters: Always use an ungreased tube pan with a removable bottom to help the cake climb and achieve maximum height during baking.
• Temperature Control Trick: Place the cake on the lowest oven rack to guarantee even heat distribution and prevent over-browning of the delicate meringue.
• Cooling Hack: Invert the pan immediately after baking to prevent the cake from collapsing and maintain its incredible cloud-like structure.

Tips for Keeping Your Cake Fresh and Fluffy

• Refrigerate: Place cake in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Cover loosely with plastic wrap to prevent the meringue from sticking.
• Serve Chilled: Remove cake from refrigerator 15-20 minutes before serving to allow it to come to room temperature and soften slightly.
• Avoid Freezing: The delicate meringue and light texture won't hold up well in the freezer, so enjoy within a few days for the best taste and texture.

Match Your Cake with Beverages and Garnishes

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: A chilled Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio perfectly complements the cake's zesty lemon notes, cutting through the meringue's sweetness with its bright, acidic profile.
• Match with Herbal Tea: A light chamomile or lavender tea provides a delicate, floral backdrop that enhances the cake's airy texture and lemony essence, creating a harmonious taste experience.
• Serve with Fresh Berries: A side of raspberries or strawberries adds a burst of fresh tartness that echoes the lemon's citrusy punch, while providing a beautiful color contrast to the white meringue.
• Complement with Sorbet: A small scoop of lemon or berry sorbet alongside the cake creates a refreshing palate cleanser, intensifying the dessert's citrusy brightness and cooling sensation.

Reimagine the Cloud Cake: Exciting Flavor Twists

• Tropical Paradise Splash: Swap lemon curd with passion fruit or mango puree for a vibrant, exotic flavor profile that transports your taste buds to sunny beaches.
• Chocolate Berry Cloud Cake: Fold cocoa powder into the cake batter and top with fresh raspberry compote, creating a rich, decadent variation that balances sweetness and tartness.
• Lavender Honey Dreamy Layer: Infuse the meringue with dried lavender and drizzle with local honey, transforming the cake into an elegant, aromatic dessert perfect for sophisticated gatherings.
• Nutty Caramel Cloud Creation: Sprinkle toasted almond slivers between cake layers and drizzle with salted caramel sauce, adding depth and crunch to the light, airy texture.

Lemon Meringue Cloud Cake Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 27 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 8 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Lemon meringue cloud cake whisks classic dessert lovers into a realm of delicate citrus bliss. Pillowy meringue crowns zesty lemon curd, creating a heavenly confection that melts gracefully on your palate with each sublime bite.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 12 large egg whites, room temperature
• 1 cup (120g) cake flour
• 1 jar (10 ounces or 280g) lemon curd

Sugar and Stabilizers:

• 1–½ cups (300g) sugar
• 2 teaspoons cream of tartar
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1–½ teaspoons vanilla extract

Meringue Topping:

• 4 large egg whites, room temperature
• ¾ teaspoon cream of tartar
• ½ cup (100g) sugar

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Prepare your workspace by gathering all ingredients and equipment, ensuring everything is clean and ready for cake creation.
2. Sift cake flour with half the sugar, creating a light, airy mixture that will contribute to the cake’s delicate structure.
3. In a pristine mixing bowl, whip egg whites with cream of tartar, vanilla extract, and salt, gradually introducing the remaining sugar until the mixture transforms into glossy, sturdy peaks.
4. Gently incorporate the flour mixture into the egg white meringue, using a delicate folding technique to maintain the batter’s voluminous nature.
5. Transfer the airy batter into an ungreased tube pan, carefully eliminating potential air pockets by running a knife through the mixture.
6. Position the pan on the lowest oven rack and bake at 350°F, watching for a golden-brown transformation and a dry surface, approximately 35-40 minutes.
7. Immediately after removing from the oven, invert the pan and allow the cake to cool completely, which helps maintain its ethereal height.
8. Once cooled, delicately release the cake from the pan’s edges using a thin knife.
9. Slice the cake horizontally into two layers, creating a canvas for the lemon curd filling.
10. Spread a generous layer of tangy lemon curd on the bottom layer, then reassemble the cake with its top layer.
11. Whip fresh egg whites with cream of tartar, gradually adding sugar until the meringue forms stiff, glossy peaks.
12. Artfully spread the meringue over the entire cake, creating elegant peaks and swirls that showcase your culinary craftsmanship.
13. Optional: Use a kitchen torch to lightly caramelize the meringue’s peaks, adding a golden, toasted dimension to the dessert.

Notes

• Whip egg whites to perfection, creating a cloud-like base that melts in your mouth with delicate elegance.
• Transform simple ingredients into a stunning dessert that showcases the magic of precise baking techniques and carefully balanced flavors.
• Master the art of meringue by understanding how gentle folding and precise sugar incorporation create an airy, glossy topping that turns a classic cake into an extraordinary culinary experience.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 246
• Sugar: 29g
• Sodium: 130mg
• Fat: 0.5g
• Saturated Fat: 0.1g
• Unsaturated Fat: 0.4g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 61g
• Fiber: 0g
• Protein: 6g
• Cholesterol: 0mg