Hot Toddy Pudding Cake
Sunday, December 13, 2009 at 8:23PM 
This recipe comes to us via our friends over at Gourmet Magazine...RIP. Never having tasted a hot toddy, I did a little research and discovered that the hot toddy is an Irish drink believed to have medicinal powers to ameliorate the effects of a cold or the flu. It was also served to warm a chill or help one relax in the evening. It always contains some kind of whiskey (or Scotch or bourbon), honey and lemon juice. Well, if it tastes anywhere near as good as this hot toddy pudding cake, I’m in! Man, this is good stuff. All those lovely hot toddy flavors – bourbon, lemon, honey – baked into this cakey, pudding-y dessert that I think is just perfect for the holidays or any winter's evening when a warming toddy is just the ticket.
There are lots of pudding-cake recipes out there. I make a lemon version that we love, but the thing they all have in common is that as it bakes, the cake part separates from the pudding part, creating this lovely sauce on the bottom.
While the hot toddy pudding cake may lay no claims to curing a cold or soothing a sore throat, I do believe it has some serious powers to warm and comfort. Top it with a little whipped cream and it might be just what the doctor ordered.
Hot Toddy Pudding Cake
Printable Recipe
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup whole milk
1/3 cup fresh lemon juice
1/4 cup Scotch
1/2 stick unsalted butter, melted and cooled
3 tablespoons mild honey
1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
3 large eggs, separated, at room temperature 30 minutes
1/3 cup sugar
Preheat oven to 350°F with rack in middle. Butter a 1 1/2-quart shallow baking dish.
Whisk together flour and salt in a large bowl. Whisk together milk, lemon juice, Scotch, butter, honey, zest, and yolks, then stir into flour mixture.
Beat whites with an electric mixer at medium speed until frothy. Increase speed to medium-high and add sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating until whites just hold stiff peaks.
Stir about one third of whites into flour mixture to lighten, then fold in remaining whites gently but thoroughly. Pour batter into baking dish and bake in a water bath until puffed and golden-brown, 45 to 50 minutes. Serve warm topped with whipped cream, if desired.
Reader Comments (2)
How have you never had a Hot Toddy?? The only good thing about catching a cold is that you have a good excuse to have a Hot Toddy every night! I'm convinced that they work too... Anyway, that pudding cake looks DELICIOUS!!! I want that so bad right now.
I guess I'm going to have to make me up a hot toddy real quick! Until then, I've got some pudding cake with my name on it!