Make Ahead Lemon Bombe Recipes

LEMON POTS DE CREME

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325°F. Begin boiling a large pot of water that will be used in your water bath. Place 6 4 oz. ramekins in a large roasting pan or baking dish with high sides.
• In a small saucepan, combine the lemon zest, lemon juice, and 1/4 cup of the sugar. Simmer until reduced to 1/2 cup, about 10-15 minutes; set aside.
• Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, combine the cream and 1/4 cup of the sugar, and bring to just below boiling. Remove from the heat.
• In a medium bowl, beat the egg yolks with the remaining 1/4 cup sugar until smooth. Slowly whisk a ladleful of the hot cream into the yolks to temper then slowly/ gradually whisk the yolk mixture into the saucepan with the rest of the cream. Cook (still off heat) stirring constantly, until the mixture reaches 170°F on an instant-read thermometer, 3 to 4 minutes until its thick.
• Stir in the reserved lemon syrup and vanilla extract. Strain immediately through cheesecloth or a fine sieve then divide the mixture evenly between the ramekins. (I strain mine into a very large pouring measuring cup so I can pour directly after straining - you could also use a pitcher.)
• Pour enough prepared boiling water into the roasting pan around the ramekins so it reaches halfway up the sides of the ramekins. Lay a long sheet of foil over the ramekins (no need to crimp edges) and bake 30-45 minutes - until the custards are set about ¼ inch from the sides but the center still jiggles. The center of the custards should register 150° to 155°F on an instant-read thermometer.
• Remove custards from oven and let them cool IN their water bath to room temperature. Remove from water bath, cover with plastic and refrigerate at least 8 hours, best if 24.
• Garnish with whipped cream and plenty of berries.

MAKE-AHEAD LEMON BOMBE

Steps:

• Prepare and bake cake according to package directions, using an ungreased 10-inch tube pan. Cut cooled cake into 1 1/2-inch cubes. Set aside.
• In a bowl, sprinkle gelatin over cold water; let stand for 1 minute. Add boiling water; stir until gelatin is dissolved. Add the orange juice concentrate, sugar substitute, lemon juice, lemon peel, and salt; mix well. Refrigerate for 30 minutes or until partially set. Fold in 2 cartons of whipped topping.
• Line a 5 1/2-quart bowl with two overlapping pieces of plastic wrap, letting plastic wrap hang over edge of bowl. In another large bowl, gently combine the cake cubes and whipped topping mixture. Spoon into prepared bowl, gently pushing against side to prevent holes. Cover and refrigerate for at least 24 hours.
• Just before serving, uncover bombe. Invert onto a cake plate. Remove bowl and plastic wrap. Frost with remaining carton of whipped topping; sprinkle with coconut. Garnish with mint, cherries, and lemon and orange slices if desired.

MEYER LEMON CUSTARD CAKES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F. 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 crème fraîche in medium bowl until softly whipped.
• Run small knife around each custard cake to loosen. Invert each cake onto plate. Place dollop of crème fraîche atop or alongside cakes and serve.
• Sold at some supermarkets and at specialty foods stores.

LEMON-RASPBERRY ICE CREAM BOMBES

Steps:

• Whisk sugar, lemon juice, yolks, peel, and salt to blend in top of double boiler. Place over simmering water (do not allow bottom of pan to touch water). Whisk until mixture thickens and thermometer inserted into mixture registers 160°F, about 6 minutes. Transfer mixture to medium bowl. Chill until cold, about 45 minutes.
• Beat cream in another medium bowl until cream holds peaks. Fold into lemon mixture in 3 additions. Cover and chill at least 6 hours and up to 1 day.
• Line six 3/4-cup custard cups with foil, leaving generous overhang. Slightly soften quart of ice cream in microwave at low setting in 10-second intervals. Measure 1/2 cup ice cream and place in 1 prepared custard cup. Using back of teaspoon and dipping spoon in glass of warm water as needed, press ice cream in even layer over bottom and up sides of cup, creating hollow in center. Place cup in freezer. Repeat with remaining 5 prepared cups. Return remaining ice cream in quart to freezer. Freeze ice cream in cups 1 hour.
• Spoon 2 tablespoons sorbet into hollow in center of each cup and pack firmly. Return cups to freezer for 1 hour.
• Divide lemon cream among cups, smoothing tops. Freeze 1 hour.
• Slightly resoften remaining ice cream in quart container in microwave at low setting in 10-second intervals. Spread 2 tablespoons ice cream over lemon cream in each cup, covering completely. Fold foil overhang over bombes to cover; freeze at least 3 hours and up to 2 days.
• Open foil on bombes; turn bombes out onto dishes. Peel off foil. Spoon fresh berries alongside. Garnish with mint sprigs, if desired, and lemon peel.

BOYSENBERRY SORBET AND LEMON ICE CREAM BOMBE

Steps:

• For Ice Cream
• Bring 1 1/4 cups cream, half and half and sugar to simmer in heavy large saucepan, stirring occasionally. Whisk yolks in large bowl to blend. gradually whisk in cream mixture. Return mixture to saucepan. Stir over medium-low heat until mixture thickens and leaves path on back of spoon when finger is drawn across, about 4 minutes; do not boil. Strain mixture into bowl. Mix in remaining 1 cup whipping cream, lemon juice and peel. Refrigerate until cold. Transfer mixture to ice cream maker and freeze according to manufacturer's instruction. Transfer ice cream to container and freeze.
• For Sorbet
• Stir 1 1/4 cups sugar and 1/2 cup water in heavy medium saucepan over low heat until sugar dissolves. Puree 2 bags berries with sugar syrup in processor. Strain through coarse sieve into bowl, pressing firmly on seeds. Chill until cold. Transfer mixture to ice cream maker and freeze according to manufacturer's instructions.
• Carefully line 12-cup ring mold with foil, pressing as smoothly as possible to eliminate wrinkles and extending over sides. Fill prepared ring mold alternately with 1/3-cup scoops sorbet and 1/3-cup scoops ice cream. Freeze 1 hour. Cover bombe with plastic. Press down firmly to pack. Freeze bombe overnight. (Can be prepared 1 week ahead.)
• Puree remaining 1 bag of berries with remaining 1/3 cup sugar and 1/4 cup water in processor. Strain through coarse sieve into bowl, pressing firmly on seeds. Cover sauce and chill until cold. (Can be prepared 2 days ahead.)
• Place round platter in freezer 30 minutes. Lift bombe from mold using foil as aid. Invert bombe onto platter; peel off foil. Mound some berries in center of bombe. Arrange more berries around sides. Garnish top and sides with mint. Cut into slices and arrange on plates. Spoon sauce and berries around each. Serve with cookies.