Description
This lemon cake is a delightful treat that combines the zesty flavor of lemons with a moist and fluffy cake. Layers of tangy lemon curd and creamy lemon frosting make this cake a perfect balance of sweet and sour.
Ingredients
Scale
Lemon Cake:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour (sifted)
- 2 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter (room temperature)
- 1 ¾ cups granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons lemon zest (about 2 lemons)
- 4 large eggs (room temperature)
- 1 cup whole milk (room temperature)
- ¼ cup fresh lemon juice (about 1 large lemon)
Lemon Curd:
- 5 egg yolks
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ¾ cup fresh lemon juice (about 3 large lemons)
- ½ cup cold unsalted butter
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Lemon Frosting:
- 1½ cups unsalted butter (room temperature)
- 7 cups powdered sugar
- ¾ cup fresh lemon juice (about 3 large lemons)
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Thinly sliced lemons (optional garnish)
Instructions
- Lemon Cake Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and grease three 8-inch round baking pans. Line the bottom of each pan with a parchment round.
- In a large bowl, combine the dry ingredients and set aside.
- In a separate bowl, cream butter, sugar, and lemon zest until fluffy.
- Add eggs one at a time, then mix in milk and lemon juice.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients, then divide batter into pans.
- Bake for 18-22 minutes.
- Cool cakes before assembling.
- Lemon Curd Whisk egg yolks and sugar, then add lemon juice and cook until thickened. Remove from heat, add butter, and chill.
- Lemon Frosting Beat butter until fluffy, gradually add sugar, then mix in lemon juice and salt.
- Assemble the Cake: Layer cake, frosting, lemon curd, repeat. Crumb coat and chill before final frosting.
- Frost the cake, garnish with lemon slices.
Notes
- For a stronger lemon flavor, add more lemon zest to the cake batter.
- If the frosting is too runny, add more powdered sugar; if too stiff, add a little lemon juice.
- Allow the cake to come to room temperature before serving for the best taste and texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 580
- Sugar: 65g
- Sodium: 240mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 75g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 145mg