LEMON PUDDING BUNDT CAKE ~ BLOG 366.74

It’s not often I use a package mix of anything, but my friend gave me this recipe to make for her dinner night at the Eagles and I followed it to the letter. I actually recommend you do the same thing. 😀 It has a airy tender crumb that is FULL of intense flavor. I’ve since changed it up a bit and also made it strawberry by using a strawberry cake mix and vanilla pudding. The possible combinations are based on your imagination with cake and instant pudding flavors 😀

I’ve also adapted it to a scratch version that uses freeze dried fruit to make it mango or raspberry using a white cake mix.

LEMON PUDDING BUNDT CAKE
CAKE
1 package lemon cake mix
1 small (3.4 ounce) package instant lemon pudding mix
2/3 cup lemon juice
1/2 cup neutral oil
1 teaspoon lemon zest
4 LARGE eggs

  • Preheat oven to 350°.
  • Generously butter (NOT non stick spray) a bundt pan.
  • In a large bowl whisk together the cake mix and pudding mix.
  • Add oil, lemon zest, lemon juice and eggs, whisking to combine well.
  • Pour into prepared pan.
  • Bake 35-40 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.
  • Cool 15 minutes in pan.
  • Invert onto cooling rack to cool completely.

GLAZE
2 cups powdered sugar
1/4 cup lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon PURE vanilla extract

  • Whisk together the powdered sugar, lemon juice and vanilla.
  • Drizzle over cooled cake and let glaze harden 10 minutes or so before serving.
  • Transfer to serving platter and serve with FRESH blueberries or berry of choice 😀

NOTE: Flavors can be altered by using 1/4 cup freeze dried fruit with a white cake mix and vanilla flavored pudding mix.

APPLE BREAD PUDDING with CREME ANGLAISE & SAUTEED APPLES

APPLE BREAD PUDDING serves 8-10
2 tablespoons butter
3 large GRANNY SMITH apples (1 1/2 POUNDS), peeled and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
3 cups heavy cream
3 large eggs
1 large egg yolk
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
16 ounce cinnamon-raisin bread loaf, cut into 3/4-inch cubes
1 LARGE croissant, broken into small pieces
1/4 cup golden raisins
4 tablespoons turbinado sugar

  • Preheat oven to 375°.
  • Melt butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat.
  • Add apples, and cook, stirring occasionally, 8-10 minutes or until softened and lightly browned.
  • Whisk together cream, eggs, egg yolk, sugar and cinnamon in a large bowl until smooth.
  • Stir in bread cubes and croissant pieces and let stand 5 minutes.
  • Stir in cooked apples.
  • Sprinkle 2 tablespoons turbinado sugar into a buttered 13- x 9-inch baking dish.
  • Fold in bread pieces and raisins to apple mixture, and spread in an even layer into baking dish.
  • Sprinkle with remaining 2 tablespoons turbinado sugar.
  • Bake at 375° for 40-45 minutes or until light golden and center is set. Pudding will puff to the top of dish and pull away slightly from sides as it bakes.
  • Cool 10 minutes.
  • Serve warm with Apple Brandy Crème Anglaise and Sautéed Apples if desired.

NOTE:

  • If you like a thinner, crispier bread pudding use a larger baking dish to make a thinner layer. Personally I like LOTS of crispy edges!  Next time I’ll make it in individual ramekins!
  • To make ahead, cover and chill baked and cooled bread pudding overnight. Let stand 20 minutes, then reheat in a 350° oven for 20 minutes.

Sautéed APPLES (OPTIONAL)
2 tablespoons butter
2 large Granny Smith apples, peeled and diced
3 tablespoons sugar
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice

  • Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat.a
  • Add apples, and sauté 2 minutes.
  • Stir in sugar and lemon juice, stirring often, 6 to 8 minutes or until golden.

APPLE BRANDY Crème ANGLAISE (OPTIONAL)
1 cup heavy cream
2 large egg yolks
1/4 cup sugar
2 tablespoons apple brandy
1/4 teaspoon QUALITY cinnamon

  • Whisk together cream, egg yolks, and sugar in a 2-qt. saucepan, and cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, 8 to 10 minutes or until mixture thinly coats back of a wooden spoon.
  • Pour through a fine wire-mesh strainer into a bowl.
  • Whisk together the brandy and cinnamon. Stir in to cream mixture.
  • Fill a large bowl with ice and place cream mixture in ice, let stand, stirring constantly for 30 minutes.
  • Cover and chill at least 1 hour or up to 3 days.