
Ingredients
- 110g caster sugar
- 3 large eggs, 2 beaten
- 4 lemons, zest finely grated, juiced to give 60ml
- 30g unsalted butter, cubed, plus extra for the dish
- 8 brioche slices, 1 cm thick, halved diagonally to make 16 triangles
- 350ml whole milk
- 50g double cream, plus extra to serve (optional)
- 2 tsp vanilla bean paste
- 2 tbsp demerara sugar, for sprinkling
Method
Step 1
To make the lemon curd, put 60g caster sugar in a heatproof bowl with 1 egg, the lemon juice and half the zest; whisk briefly to combine. Set over a pan of gently simmering water, whisking continually for 10 mins or until thickened. Remove from the heat, whisk in the cubes of butter, then pass through a sieve into a clean bowl. Cover the surface with baking paper or clingfilm to prevent a skin forming. Leave to cool, then chill until needed. (You’ll need 120g to make the pudding – enjoy the rest on buttered toast.)Step 2
Generously grease a 22 cm baking dish with butter. Spread half the brioche slices with the lemon curd on one side, then use to line the dish – curd-side up – in a tight, single layer with no gaps, trimming as needed. Repeat with the remaining brioche and curd to make a second layer.Step 3
Put the remaining 50g caster sugar and remaining lemon zest in a bowl and rub together with your fingers to bring out the natural oils. In a large jug, combine the milk, beaten egg and cream, then add the zesty sugar and vanilla paste; whisk well to make a custard. (Use straight away or chill overnight to let the flavours infuse.) Pour the custard over the layered brioche and leave to soak for 1 hr.Step 4
Preheat the oven to 170°C/150°C fan/gas 3½. Scatter over the demerara; bake for 30 mins or until golden. Best eaten immediately with a drizzle of cream, if you like.