Lemon Bonet: A Sweet, Citrusy Delight
Category: Desserts
Servings: 1
Ingredients:
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Whole milk | 700g |
| Lemon juice | 3 lemons |
| Lemon zest | 1 lemon |
| Limoncello | 70g |
| Amaretti biscuits | 100g |
| Egg yolks | 10 |
| Sugar | 150g |
| Cornstarch (Maizena) | 50g |
| Water | q.b. |
| Lemon (for garnish) | 1 |
| Mint (for garnish) | q.b. |
| Sugar (for garnish) | 20g |
| Amaretti biscuits (for garnish) | 2 |
Preparation Steps:
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Prepare the Amaretti: Begin by placing the amaretti biscuits into a blender and processing them into a fine powder. This will form the base of the lemon custard.
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Whisk the Eggs and Sugar: In a separate bowl, whisk the egg yolks and sugar together until light and fluffy.
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Add the Liquid Ingredients: With the mixer running, slowly add the filtered lemon juice, lemon zest, limoncello, and the powdered amaretti. Continue mixing until well combined. Then, add the cornstarch, and stir the mixture until smooth and uniform.
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Prepare the Baking Dish: Take a 31×12 cm (12×5 inch) rectangular loaf pan, or individual pudding cups if preferred. Place the pan into a larger, deep baking dish. This will be used for the water bath during baking.
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Fill the Pan: Carefully pour the prepared lemon custard mixture into the loaf pan, using a ladle to prevent spills.
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Water Bath Cooking: Fill the larger baking dish with hot water until it reaches two-thirds of the height of the loaf pan. This creates the necessary moisture for baking the custard evenly.
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Bake the Bonet: Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F) for a static oven, or 160°C (325°F) for a fan-assisted oven. Bake the lemon bonet for 45–50 minutes (or 40-45 minutes for the fan oven). The bonet is done when the edges begin to pull away from the pan and the top is lightly golden brown.
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Cool the Bonet: Once baked, carefully remove the loaf pan from the water bath. Let it cool to room temperature before transferring it to the fridge to chill for about 1 hour.
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Prepare the Lemon Garnish: While the bonet chills, wash the lemon and cut it into thin slices. Place the slices in a pan, sprinkle with 20g sugar, and cook for a few minutes until the lemon slices are caramelized.
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Remove the Bonet from the Pan: After the bonet has chilled, fill a container with hot water. Dip the base of the loaf pan into the hot water for a few seconds to help loosen the custard. Gently run a knife along the edges of the pan to separate the custard from the sides.
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Serve the Bonet: Turn the bonet out onto a serving platter, carefully inverting the pan. Decorate the top of the bonet with the caramelized lemon slices, fresh lemon zest, whole or crumbled amaretti biscuits, and a few mint leaves for a refreshing finish.
The Lemon Bonet is now ready to serve—creamy, citrusy, and bursting with flavor! Enjoy this delightful dessert, perfect for any occasion.
Enjoy the harmony of sweet, tangy, and herbal flavors in this beautiful lemon bonet—a dessert sure to impress and satisfy your guests!
