There’s something truly magical about a classic angel food cake paired with the bright, zesty punch of lemon pie filling. This delightful combo offers a perfect balance of airy sweetness and tangy freshness, making it a fantastic dessert for any occasion.
Whether you’re celebrating a special event or just craving a light, refreshing treat, this recipe will quickly become your go-to. The angel food cake’s ethereal texture complements the luscious, smooth lemon filling, creating a dessert that’s both elegant and easy to prepare.
In this post, I’ll walk you through making a flawless angel food cake from scratch and preparing a vibrant lemon pie filling that brings the whole dessert to life. Plus, I’ll share some helpful tips, variations, and serving suggestions to make your baking experience enjoyable and successful.
Don’t forget to check out some of my other recipes like Afghan Vegetarian Pulao Recipe Easy and Delicious Guide or Baby Spinach Salad Recipe Vegan: Fresh & Easy Ideas for more culinary inspiration!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This angel food cake and lemon pie filling recipe is a match made in dessert heaven. The cake itself is incredibly light and fluffy, made with just a few simple ingredients like egg whites and sugar.
It’s fat-free and low in calories, making it a guilt-free indulgence. The lemon pie filling adds a burst of citrus flavor with just the right amount of sweetness and tartness, elevating the cake to a whole new level.
Additionally, this recipe is versatile and perfect for beginners. You don’t need fancy equipment or hard-to-find ingredients.
Plus, it’s a crowd-pleaser — perfect for summer picnics, family gatherings, or even an elegant dinner party.
Ingredients
- For the Angel Food Cake:
- 1 cup cake flour
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar, divided
- 12 large egg whites, at room temperature
- 1 ½ teaspoons cream of tartar
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- For the Lemon Pie Filling:
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 cup water
- 3 large egg yolks, lightly beaten
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/3 cup fresh lemon juice (about 2 lemons)
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
Equipment
- Angel food cake pan (tube pan with removable bottom)
- Electric mixer or stand mixer with whisk attachment
- Sifter or fine mesh sieve
- Mixing bowls
- Rubber spatula
- Medium saucepan
- Whisk
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Zester or microplane
- Cooling rack
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Make sure your angel food cake pan is clean and dry — do not grease it as the batter needs to cling to the sides to rise properly.
- Sift the cake flour and ¾ cup of the sugar together. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, beat the egg whites, cream of tartar, and salt on medium speed until soft peaks form. Slowly add the remaining ¾ cup sugar, a tablespoon at a time, while continuing to beat until stiff, glossy peaks form.
- Gently fold in the vanilla extract. Next, carefully fold in the sifted flour mixture in small batches, using a rubber spatula. Be gentle to avoid deflating the egg whites.
- Pour the batter into the ungreased angel food cake pan. Smooth the top with a spatula.
- Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the top is golden and springs back when lightly touched. Immediately invert the pan onto a cooling rack to cool completely. This prevents collapse.
- While the cake is baking, prepare the lemon pie filling. In a medium saucepan, whisk together the sugar and cornstarch.
- Gradually add the water, whisking until smooth. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until the mixture thickens and starts to boil.
- Reduce heat to low. Slowly whisk about 1/2 cup of the hot mixture into the beaten egg yolks to temper them.
- Return the egg yolk mixture to the saucepan. Cook and stir for 2 more minutes without boiling.
- Remove from heat and stir in butter, lemon juice, and zest. Mix until smooth and well combined.
- Allow the lemon filling to cool completely. You can cover it with plastic wrap pressed directly on the surface to prevent a skin from forming.
- Once the cake has cooled, run a knife around the edges to loosen it. Remove the cake from the pan carefully.
- Slice the angel food cake horizontally if desired. Spread a generous layer of lemon pie filling between layers or serve it on top.
Tips & Variations
For the fluffiest angel food cake, make sure no yolk gets into the whites, and your mixing bowl is completely grease-free.
You can add a teaspoon of almond extract instead of vanilla for a subtle nutty twist. For a fun variation, fold in fresh berries into the lemon filling or serve the cake with a dollop of whipped cream.
If you prefer a more tart lemon flavor, increase the lemon juice by a tablespoon.
Want to make it vegan? Check out my Chiffon Cake Recipe Vegan: Light, Fluffy, and Delicious for a similar fluffy cake alternative.
Nutrition Facts
Nutrient | Amount per Serving (1 slice) |
---|---|
Calories | 180 kcal |
Carbohydrates | 42 g |
Protein | 4 g |
Fat | 1 g |
Sugar | 32 g |
Fiber | 0.5 g |
Serving Suggestions
This angel food cake with lemon pie filling is best served chilled or at room temperature. Top it off with fresh berries like raspberries or blueberries for extra color and flavor.
A light dusting of powdered sugar on top adds a pretty finishing touch.
Pair it with a cup of hot tea or a sparkling citrus drink for a refreshing dessert experience. If you want to keep the dessert light, avoid heavy whipped creams or rich sauces, but a dollop of coconut whipped cream can enhance the tropical vibe.
Looking for more light and delicious recipes? Try my Vegan Potato Corn Chowder Recipe for Cozy Comfort Food or 400 Calorie Vegetarian Dinner Recipe Ideas for Healthy Meals for wholesome meal ideas.
Conclusion
Creating a homemade angel food cake paired with a tangy lemon pie filling is a rewarding baking project that delivers a dessert full of lightness and vibrant flavor. This recipe is approachable for bakers of all skill levels and results in a show-stopping centerpiece for any gathering.
The ethereal texture of the cake beautifully contrasts with the luscious lemon filling, creating a harmonious balance that’s both refreshing and satisfying.
Whether you’re serving it for a casual family dessert or a special event, this angel food cake with lemon pie filling will impress your guests and keep them coming back for more. Don’t hesitate to experiment with the tips and variations shared here to make this recipe your own.
For more delicious recipes and culinary ideas, explore other favorites like Vegan Recipes No Tofu: Delicious Plant-Based Meals and Budget Bytes Recipe Thai Noodles Vegetarian and Delicious.
📖 Recipe Card: Angel Food Cake with Lemon Pie Filling
Description: A light and fluffy angel food cake paired with tangy lemon pie filling for a perfect dessert. This recipe combines airy cake with zesty lemon flavor for a refreshing treat.
Prep Time: PT20M
Cook Time: PT40M
Total Time: PT60M
Servings: 8 servings
Ingredients
- 1 cup cake flour
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar, divided
- 12 large egg whites, room temperature
- 1 1/2 teaspoons cream of tartar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup lemon juice, fresh
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1/4 cup water
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Sift cake flour and 3/4 cup sugar together.
- Beat egg whites with cream of tartar and salt until soft peaks form.
- Gradually add remaining 3/4 cup sugar and beat until stiff peaks form.
- Fold flour mixture and vanilla gently into egg whites.
- Pour batter into ungreased tube pan and bake for 40 minutes.
- Cool cake upside down on a rack.
- In a saucepan, whisk lemon juice, sugar, eggs, cornstarch, and water.
- Cook over medium heat until thickened, stirring constantly.
- Remove from heat and stir in butter until melted.
- Let lemon filling cool before serving with cake.
- Slice cake and top with lemon pie filling.
Nutrition: Calories: 250 kcal | Protein: 5 g | Fat: 1 g | Carbs: 55 g
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