Meyer Lemon Pudding (super easy recipe!) (2024)

My Meyer lemon pudding is the perfect lemon dessert ~ the flavor is tart, the texture is silky, and it’s simple to make. No Meyer lemons? Regular lemons work too.

Meyer Lemon Pudding (super easy recipe!) (1)

homemade Meyer lemon pudding is my dream dessert!

Tart lemon is a fresh new flavor profile for pudding, and I made sure this recipe really showcases that zingy citrus in the strongest possible way. What’s even better is that the whole thing cooks up in less than 10 minutes. You can use this recipe as a lemon pie filling too, it requires no further baking.

what you’ll need

  • lemon zest and juice ~ use Meyer lemons or regular lemons, and remember to zest your lemon before you juice it! The real lemon flavor is found in the zest, which contains all the essential oils, so don’t skimp on it.
  • egg yolks and cornstarch ~ using both creates a nice thick pudding. The yolks add a rich flavor and custard-like texture. As a bonus they ensure a brilliant golden color.
  • cream ~ it’s essential for this recipe, it will not curdle when mixed with lemon.
  • milk ~ lightens the mixture.
  • sugar ~ balances the tartness of the hefty half cup of lemon juice and allows that lemon flavor to shine through.
  • salt ~ salt enhances flavors whether they’re sweet or savory.
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this lemon pudding recipe is as easy as a box mix.

Sometimes being a lazy cook pays off. After some recipe testing I realized that this pudding could be made uber simple by putting all the ingredients into a saucepan and cooking it up over medium heat, just like you’d do with a box mix. You’ll strain the finished pudding through a mesh sieve to catch any stray lumps, so the result is super silky.

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the flavor and texture of this lemon pudding is reminiscent of lemon curd, lemon custard, and lemon pie.

This pudding is cooked with both cornstarch and egg yolks, which make it thick and rich. Heavy cream makes it, well, creamy. And lots of fresh lemon juice and zest contributes that all important tang. I like to add zest because that’s where the true lemon flavor resides, but then strain it out at the end so it doesn’t affect the silky texture.

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regular lemons and Meyer lemons are interchangeable in recipes

Meyer lemons are a variety with a thin, golden yellow skin, and a sweeter, less acidic flavor. They’re becoming more available in regular supermarkets these days. I use them to make lemon curd, and lemon bars extra special.

If you can’t locate Meyer lemons, definitely use the regular ones, this pudding is too good to miss.

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how we serve it

We topped our pudding with whipped cream and ate it straight from the fridge. The longer the pudding chills, the firmer it sets. For a change, I think next time I may serve them warm. The pudding is plenty thick right from the pan, and the whole idea of creamy warm lemon pudding is pretty enticing. (I may or may not have scraped the pan clean with my spoon and have this on good authority.)

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lemon + cream is a winning combo

My holiday taste testers all agreed that the lemon flavor is vivid and bright in this pudding. I’m so happy about that, because it can be a challenge to bring out tangy lemon flavor in a creamy dessert. I was chasing the same goal in my Fresh Lemon Ice Cream, from way back in ’13. I guess I’m obsessed with this concept, because my Fresh Lemon Truffles are another example of the same lemon/cream combination. Come to think of it, my Lemon Cheesecake does the same thing!

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In a word, go for this one, it’s a winner.

There’s plenty more where this came from!

  • Classic Lemon Cheesecake
  • Easy Lemon Trifle
  • Lemon Chiffon Cake
  • Lemon Layer Cake
  • Warm Lemon Pudding Cake
  • Fresh Lemon Ice Cream

Meyer Lemon Pudding (super easy recipe!) (8)

Meyer Lemon Pudding

Meyer lemon pudding is tart, creamy, and pure lemon bliss, served warm or chilled.

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Prep Time:5 minutes minutes

Cook Time:10 minutes minutes

Total Time:15 minutes minutes

Servings: 4 servings

Equipment

  • mesh sieve for straining the pudding

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Set a large mesh strainer over a large heat proof bowl and set aside.

  • Put all the ingredients into a medium saucepan and give it a good whisk to combine and break up the yolks. Let the mixture sit for 5 minutes, then stir again to make sure the cornstarch is dissolved. Don't worry about tiny lumps, they'll dissolve as the pudding cooks.

  • Cook over medium heat, stirring almost constantly with a whisk at first, then switching to a silicone spoonula as it thickens. You want to avoid the pudding scorching on the bottom or sides of the pan, so modulate the heat and keep stirring.

  • Just as the pudding comes to a boil, it should be thick and glossy. Remove from the burner just as the first large bubbles surface, don't let it continue to boil.

  • Immediately pour the pudding through the strainer, pushing everything through with the back of your silicone spoonula. Only the zest and a few lumps will reamain.

  • At this point you can serve warm, or chill for later. Chill the pudding in the large bowl, or spoon it into individual bowls or cups. If you decide to keep it in the large bowl, place a piece of plastic wrap over the surface before refrigerating to prevent a skin from forming.

  • Serve the pudding with whipped cream, if you like.

Video

Notes

Don’t try to substitute milk or half and half for the heavy cream, you will get a curdled mixture.

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Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Author: Sue Moran

Keyword: citrus, comfort food, dessert, easy, lemon, Meyer lemon, pudding, recipe

Nutrition

Calories: 458 kcal · Carbohydrates: 50 g · Protein: 5 g · Fat: 27 g · Saturated Fat: 16 g · Polyunsaturated Fat: 1 g · Monounsaturated Fat: 8 g · Cholesterol: 226 mg · Sodium: 202 mg · Potassium: 171 mg · Fiber: 1 g · Sugar: 41 g · Vitamin A: 1159 IU · Vitamin C: 12 mg · Calcium: 126 mg · Iron: 1 mg

Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although The View from Great Island attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.

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Meyer Lemon Pudding (super easy recipe!) (9)
Meyer Lemon Pudding (super easy recipe!) (10)
Meyer Lemon Pudding (super easy recipe!) (2024)

FAQs

What is lemon pudding made of? ›

It's made with just four ingredients: whipping cream, sugar, lemon zest, and lemon juice. All you do is warm everything up, then let the pudding set.

Does jello make a lemon pudding mix? ›

Jell-O Lemon Naturally Flavored Cook & Serve Pudding & Pie Filling Mix tastes great whether you enjoy it as a treat or use it as an ingredient in your favorite dessert recipes. Add some wonder to your day with a delicious snack.

Is lemon curd the same as lemon pudding? ›

While curd resembles pudding or custard, the difference lies in the way it's thickened. Custards and puddings rely on cornstarch, milk and cream, while eggs are the primary thickener for curd, making it lighter and brighter.

Does lemon pudding have to be refrigerated? ›

Always refrigerate homemade lemon pudding, preferably in a glass container with a tight lid. If you have store-bought pudding, keep it in a cool, dry place until you open it, then transfer to the fridge. To freeze lemon pudding, put it into airtight containers, leaving a little space at the top for expansion.

Is there an instant lemon pudding mix? ›

Jell-O Lemon flavored pudding mix makes a delicious dessert in 5 minutes; all you need to do is add milk and allow to set. If you have to prepare something sweet instantly, Jell-O Lemon flavored pudding is the best, with a deep rich Lemon flavor. It cures the craving for a dessert in an instant.

What happens if you add gelatin to pudding? ›

Setting with gelatin instead of cornstarch results in a creamy pudding that sits light on the tongue.

What is the secret ingredient in Jell-O? ›

Gelatin, the primary ingredient in Jell-O, is derived from collagen, a protein found in the connective tissues, bones, and skin of animals," Sabat says. "Historically, gelatin was obtained by boiling the bones and tissues of animals, such as cows or pigs, to extract collagen.

Can you buy lemon curd in the grocery store? ›

It's kept in jars and sold in the jam aisle of the supermarket. Yet technically, lemon curd is more of a thick custard than a traditional preserve.

Does Baskin Robbins have lemon custard? ›

Lemon custard ice cream that's both rich and creamy. And if you're into rhyming things, it's also dreamy.

What is lemon jif? ›

Jif Lemon 100ml is a brand of natural strength lemon juice prepared using lemon juice concentrate. This means Jif lemon keeps fresh for longer. Jif Lemon comes in a 250ml glass bottle which is great for use in higher quantities.

Why is Meyer lemon so expensive? ›

Their limited window of availability, coupled with their more fragile nature (which makes shipping them more difficult), naturally makes them more expensive than hardier, year-round regular lemons too.

Can you eat the skin of a Meyer lemon? ›

The layer of bitter white pith that makes a thick protective coating for regular lemons is so thin on Meyers that they may be eaten in their entirety, peel included. Cut thin slices, remove the seeds and roast them with root vegetables, chicken or fish.

What's the big deal about Meyer lemons? ›

Their mild acidity and lush fragrance make Meyer lemons a natural fit in desserts, but they're also great in savory dishes where you want brightness without astringency.

What is lemon custard made of? ›

Egg yolks, cream, milk, and sugar (and in this case lemon for flavor). Many custard recipes contain just egg yolk as a thickener however we prefer with the addition of cornstarch for a great texture and how well it holds up in desserts like pies, tarts, and cakes!

What is pudding made of? ›

In the United States, puddings are nearly always sweet desserts of milk or fruit juice variously flavoured and thickened with cornstarch, arrowroot, flour, tapioca, rice, bread, or eggs. The rarer savoury puddings are thickened vegetable purées, soufflé-like dishes, or, like corn pudding, custards.

What is summer pudding made of? ›

Summer pudding or summer fruit pudding is an English dessert made of sliced white bread, layered in a deep bowl with fruit and fruit juice. It is left to soak overnight and turned out onto a plate. The dessert was most popular from the late 19th to the early 20th century.

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