Lemon Sun Cakes with Berries and Cream

Light and fluffy lemon-scented cakes topped with fresh mixed berries and whipped cream. These individual sun cakes feature a delicate citrus flavor and are garnished with an assortment of seasonal berries and softly whipped cream for an elegant dessert.

6 servings
1 hr 13 min

Ingredients

  • ¾ cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon lemon zest
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ cup unsalted butter
  • ½ cup sugar
  • 1 whole egg
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla
  • ½ cup whole milk
  • 1 cup raspberries
  • 1 cup blueberries
  • 1 cup blackberries
  • 1 cup strawberries
  • 3 tablespoons superfine granulated sugar
  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • 1 serving fresh berries
  • 6 pieces brioche molds

Cooking Instructions

  1. 1.

    Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 350°F. Generously butter molds and put on a baking sheet.

    10 min

  2. 2.

    Whisk together flour, baking powder, zest, and salt.

    3 min

  3. 3.

    Beat together butter and sugar with an electric mixer at high speed until pale and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Beat in egg and vanilla until just incorporated. Add milk and beat until just combined (mixture will appear curdled). Reduce speed to low, then add flour mixture in 3 batches, beating until just combined after each addition.

    5 min

  4. 4.

    Divide batter among molds, filling each mold about two-thirds full. Bake until edges of cakes are golden and a wooden pick inserted in center of a cake comes out clean, about 25 minutes. Cool cakes in molds on a rack 5 minutes, then turn out onto rack and cool completely.

    30 min

  5. 5.

    While cakes cool, pulse 1/2 cup each of raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, and strawberries (all together) with 2 tablespoons superfine sugar in a food processor until fruit is just crushed. Chill, covered, up to 2 hours.

    10 min

  6. 6.

    Beat cream with remaining tablespoon superfine sugar using cleaned beaters at medium-high speed until it just forms soft peaks. Chill, covered, until ready to serve (but no longer than 2 hours).

    5 min

  7. 7.

    Arrange cakes upside down on 6 plates and top each with 2 rounded tablespoons whipped cream and 1 rounded tablespoon crushed berries. Scatter remaining whole berries over top and serve remaining crushed berries on the side.

    10 min