🛒 What You’ll Need: Pantry Staples, Maximum Joy
Grab these cozy ingredients—you probably already have most:
400 ml (1⅔ cups) whole milk (full-fat = creamier texture)
Zest of 1 lemon (use organic!)
2 egg yolks (from large eggs)
40g (about 3 tbsp) sugar
1 tsp vanilla sugar (or ½ tsp pure vanilla extract)
15g (1 tbsp) cornstarch (thickens without lumps)
Juice of 1 lemon (~3–4 tbsp fresh)
100g (scant ½ cup) sweetened condensed milk (the secret to silkiness!)
Optional Garnishes:
A dusting of cinnamon
A sprinkle of cocoa powder
Chocolate shavings or whipped cream
That’s it.
No gelatin.
No heavy cream.
Just real food, chilled into brilliance.
💡 Pro tip: Use room-temp milk and egg yolks—they blend smoother!
🔥 How to Make It: Step-by-Step, Spoon-by-Spoon
Let’s cook this like we’re making edible confetti—one golden forkful at a time.
Step 1: Mix the Base
In a heat-safe bowl (preferably glass or ceramic):
Whisk together egg yolks, sugar, vanilla sugar, and cornstarch until pale and smooth (~1 min).
Step 2: Add Milk & Zest
Warm the milk slightly (microwave 1–2 mins—not hot!).
Gradually pour warm milk into the egg mixture, whisking constantly.
Stir in lemon zest.
👉 This prevents scrambled eggs and ensures smoothness.
Step 3: Microwave Magic (Yes, Really!)
Pour mixture into a microwave-safe bowl.
Microwave on high for 2 minutes, then stir.
Microwave another 1–2 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds, until thickened like pudding.
⚠️ Don’t walk away—it thickens fast!
Step 4: Finish & Chill
Remove from microwave.
Stir in lemon juice and sweetened condensed milk until fully blended.
Pour into serving glasses or ramekins.
👉 The condensed milk adds richness and balances tartness.
Step 5: Serve & Savor
Chill at least 30 minutes (or enjoy warm if you can’t wait!).
Just before serving, garnish with:
A dusting of cinnamon or cocoa
Chocolate shavings
Or a dollop of whipped cream
Serve cold—with a cookie on the side, or all by itself.
Bonus: Leftovers keep beautifully for 3–4 days covered in the fridge.
💡 Pro Tips for Next-Level Success
Tip
Why It Works
✅ Use fresh lemon juice
Bottled lacks brightness
✅ Don’t skip the zest
Essential for true lemon flavor
✅ Stir constantly in microwave
Prevents curdling
✅ Make ahead: Assemble 1–2 days ahead—flavors deepen overnight
✅ Double the batch: It disappears fast!
🍽️ When to Serve These Golden Gems
🍋 After simple dinners (grilled fish, roast chicken)
☕ As an afternoon pick-me-up with tea
🎉 Summer BBQs and picnics
🫶 To someone who says, “I don’t eat desserts” —watch them ask for seconds
Because once they taste that lemony-silky, melt-in-your-mouth magic?
They’ll be converted.
❤️ Final Thought: Great Food Doesn’t Have to Be Complicated
You don’t need 17 ingredients or a culinary degree to make something magical.
Sometimes, all it takes is:
A lemon
A can of condensed milk
And the courage to say: “Today, I’m making joy.”
And when your partner says, “Did you get this from a bakery?”
Or your kid hugs you after the first bite…
You’ll know:
You didn’t just make dessert.
You made love.