This magical lemon meringue pudding has a filling that splits into two layers – a luscious tangy curd at the bottom and a light, fluffy sponge at the top. Coupled with the crisp meringue topping and buttery coconut biscuits at the bottom, it’s a warm version of our favourite lemon meringue pie for a chilly night!

LEMON MERINGUE PUDDING

Originally created for Essentials Magazine

Serves 6

100g Tennis biscuits, crushed

220g + 110g Natura Sugars Golden Caster Sugar

finely grated zest of 1 large lemon

6 eggs, separated

90g butter, melted

70g cake flour

1 tsp baking powder

300ml coconut milk

125ml freshly squeezed lemon juice

Preheat the oven to 180C conventional or 160C fan-forced. Butter a 25cm pudding bowl or casserole dish with butter. Sprinkle the crushed Tennis biscuits in the bottom. In a mixing bowl, rub 220g of the sugar and the lemon zest together with your fingertips to release the oils from the zest – it should be very fragrant. Add the egg yolks and beat with an electric whisk until light and creamy. Add the melted butter, sifted cake flour and baking powder to form a batter then mix in the coconut milk and lemon juice. Whip the egg whites until soft peaks form then gradually add the remaining 110g caster sugar to form a glossy meringue. Place half the meringue into a piping bag fitted with a star nozzle. Divide the rest of the meringue into two – whisk half into the lemon curd mixture then fold the rest in gently. Pour into the prepared dish, pipe the meringue on top in rosettes and place inside a larger roasting tin. Fill the roasting tin with boiling water so it comes halfway up the sides of the dish then bake in the oven for 20 minutes until the top just sets – it should wiggle slightly. Remove from the oven, allow to cool slightly then serve warm.