Thursday, April 8, 2010

Recipe #53 - Stirring the Pot: Baked Lime Pudding Cakes


My Mom's Birthday is today and she is not excited. Some women have no problem getting another year older, my Mom is not one of them. For example, I remember the year she turned 30. I was only five years old and I remember it well. My Dad and Grandpa tried telling her that 30 wasn't old, she wouldn't buy into it. Today Mom is turning 57 and even though my parents have been divorced for years, they still love each other deeply. A couple days before Mom's birthday, I always receive an endearing phone call from my Dad. First, he reminds me it is Mom's Birthday. Next, he asks me a million questions about what gift I'm buying. He always follows that up with another million questions about what special things we are going to do for her birthday. He asks me if I have enough money to do everything I want to do. He always wants to make sure there is enough. Bless his heart, my Dad is the sweetest man alive. When my Dad finally feels satisfied with my plans, he'll end the call.

Dear Dad:
We celebrated Mom's birthday all week. Tuesday morning I took her and the kids to breakfast and then we went to the zoo. It was pretty fun, but the weather was unseasonably hot and we all got a little sunburnt, but only on the left side of our body. Don't worry, we laughed about it. We bought her a new blue shirt. Yes, I remember that blue is her favorite color. We also bought her a pair of new blue pants. Mainly because you said just buying a shirt wasn't enough. I know you wanted me to buy bubble bath, but I opted for lotion and some soap she's been wanting. Since you were worried that all of that wasn't going to be enough, I made her these little lime pudding cakes. Yes, I remember that she doesn't like chocolate. Yes, I remember that she likes pies. Instead I opted for these little lime pudding cakes because lately Mom loves limes and she's always a fan of a light dessert. Don't worry because I think these pudding cakes are worthy of her. I wish you could be here to have one. You would probably like them too. Oh, yes, I will make sure to tell her you said "Happy Birthday". I know it will make her happy.




Baked Lime Pudding Cakes
Adapted from Tyler Florence's Stirring the Pot
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
superfine sugar
2 eggs, separated
2/3 cup reduced-fat buttermilk
1 tablespoon lime zest
2 tablespoons lime juice
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2/3 cup superfine sugar
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
Lime halves and leaves, for garnish

Preheat oven to 325F. Butter and lightly sugar four 6-ounce ramekins. Using the paddle attachment on a kitchen stand mixer, beat yolks, buttermilk, lime zest, and lime juice on medium speed until well combined. Reduce the speed to low and slowly add flour, the 2/3 cup sugar, and the salt, until just combined. Transfer to another large bowl. Thoroughly wash mixing bowl with soap and hot water; return to stand mixer. Using the whisk attachment, beat egg whites in the clean bowl until stiff peaks form. Gently fold the beaten egg whites into the yolk mixture, a little at a time.
Divide mixture evenly among ramekins. Place ramekins in a roasting pan and fill the pan with hot water halfway up the sides of the ramekins. Bake about 1 hour, until the top springs back when gently pressed and the cakes have a light golden color. Remove ramekins from water; allow to cool slightly. Carefully invert each onto a plate.

Notes/Results: Definitely a dessert worth serving Mom on her birthday. These cakes are light, soft and delicate. They have a wonderful light lime flavor and I really enjoyed the one I ate this morning (quality control, right) I had to try one before I fed it to my Mom. I would definitely make these again. I think my Mom is going to love them.

28 comments:

  1. Wow, what a beautiful dessert! I love anything lime. The picture is so lovely, too - you did a great job with presentation.

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  2. Gosh, so pretty! I bet these would go awesome with a nice cup of tea... and a second pudding cake LOL.
    *kisses* HH

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  3. Gorgeous! This was definitely one of my favorites from TFF. They just turned out so perfectly. I think I did mine with either lemon or orange, but I cna't remember! lol Glad you enjoyed them, I'm sure your mom will, too.

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  4. How sweet! Happy Birthday to your Mom:)

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  5. This is adorable! Happy birthday to your mom! I can't believe she is so young!

    It's so sweet that she and your dad have stayed close. These little pudding cakes look delicious. I think they might have to be made for my mom's birthday as well. At least Tyler redeemed himself after the ham fiasco!

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  6. Kim, that is such a sweet post! I love getting to know you and your family! These pudding cakes look and sound delicious. I bet your mom had a lovely day with you and the kiddos!

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  7. Kim, what a heart warming post about your mom and dad. Happy Birthday to your Mom.
    Sam

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  8. That is so cute about your Mom and Dad--loved this post. I always wanted to make these pudding cakes but I never got around to it. They look delicious! ;-)

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  9. Very nice, if my lime tree produces fruit, I wanna make these!

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  10. LOVE limes! Your mom sure is lucky to have received such a wonderful birthday treat!

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  11. Your Dad is a sweetie! And so are you for making these special cakes. They sound scrumptious and refreshing for the hot weather we've been having. Happy Birthday to Mom!

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  12. Kim,
    You are so good about giving a glimpse into your life and sharing your family. Happy Birthday to you mom. The dessert looks delicious.

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  13. I love lime or lemon desserts!!!That looks delicious....and happy birthday to your mom :)

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  14. happy birthday kim's mom! what a fun way to celebrate! the cake looks outstanding. GREAT flavors!

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  15. That is such a sweet post, Kim! You have dinosaurs at your zoo? Damn, they need to upgrade their exhibits, they've been extinct for a while;)

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  16. What great pictures. Very professional--looks like something you'd see in a magazine! And so perfect for the warm weather we've been having. Happy birthday to your mom.

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  17. This was a very dear post. Your Dad sounds like quite a guy. Your petite cakes look absolutely delicious and I'm sure your Mom had a wonderful birthday. I hope you are having a wonderful day. Blessings...Mary

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  18. oh what a sweet post and a good daughter you are man love key lime

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  19. What a nice story about your mom and dad. Thanks for sharing that! The dessert looks wonderful and I know everyone must be very happy to have such a cook in the family.

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  20. What a sweet post! Happy birthday to your mom! :) I totally understand her fear of turning 30, though.. I turn 30 next year and I am not stoked... :( the pudding looks fab!

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  21. I turn 30 this year and I am not taking it to well either! I hope your mom enjoyed this wonderful looking dessert :) My mom always asks for german chocolate cake for her birthday.

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  22. I sure hope your mom liked them...I think they look fabulous!
    Wish her a Happy Birthday and tell her it's not the numbers that count, it's how she feels inside!

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  23. I've made Lemon Pudding Cakes but never lime! Ya gotta love Tyler!

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  24. This was a definite warm and fuzzy post. Your post made me smile.

    Your pudding cakes would also make me smile too. Deliicous!

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  25. What a beautiful dish !!!! Happy 30th bday MOM :)

    http://polwig.com

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  26. Awww. How sweet is that?! Your dad and the cakes. : ) These look delish! I vividly remember my mom's 30th birthday also...I was 12. She was a mess. Wore all black. Her lil' size 4 blonde self looked all of 22. People thought she was my sister. I could only wish that I looked as good on my 30th. I did follow her lead when I turned 30, but I did it my way (black high heeled boots up to my knees, little black dress) Why not?

    Your mom looks awesome.

    Speaking of bubble bath and soap...I got the package. Awesome! My whole house smells like a sorority house shower. lol. We used the bubble bath last night. Ahhhh.

    Thank you!

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  27. How nice of both you and your Dad to make sure your Mom's Birthday week was nice. I would love these lime pudding cakes too!

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  28. Happy birthday to your mom! LOL, whenever I complain to my doc about age-related things, she tells me that only the lucky ones get to deal with it. I guess she sees things a lot more dramatic than my wrinkles...

    These look delicious. I love lime, and with summer coming these look like the perfect light dessert. Thanks!

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