Meyer Lemon Custard Cakes - cooking recipe

Ingredients

3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar, divided
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 pinch salt
1 1/3 cups whole milk
2 large eggs, separated
1/3 cup fresh meyer lemon juice or 1/3 cup regular lemon juice
2 tablespoons finely grated meyer lemon peel or 2 tablespoons regular lemon peel
1 (8 ounce) container chilled creme fraiche

Preparation

Preheat oven to 350\u00b0F Butter eight 3/4-cup ramekins or custard cups. Whisk 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar, flour, and pinch of salt in medium bowl to blend. Combine milk, egg yolks, lemon juice, and lemon peel in large bowl; whisk until blended. Add flour mixture to yolk mixture and whisk custard until blended. Using electric mixer, beat egg whites in another large bowl until soft peaks form. Gradually add remaining 1/4 cup sugar to whites and beat until stiff but not dry. Fold 1/4 of whites into custard. Fold remaining whites into custard in 2 additions (custard will be slightly runny).
Divide custard equally among prepared ramekins. Place ramekins in large roasting pan. Pour enough hot water into pan to come halfway up sides of ramekins. Bake custard cakes until golden brown and set on top (custard cakes will be slightly soft in center), about 27 minutes. Chill custard cakes uncovered until cold, at least 4 hours, then cover and keep refrigerated. DO AHEAD: Custard cakes can be made 1 day ahead. Keep chilled.
Using electric mixer, beat creme fraiche in medium bowl until softly whipped.
Run small knife around each custard cake to loosen. Invert each cake onto plate. Place dollop of creme fraiche atop or alongside cakes and serve.