Lemon Cake
Ingredients
- 2½ cups all-purpose flour)
(300g
- 1½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter)
softened (227g
- 1½ cups granulated sugar)
(300g
- 2 tablespoons lemon zest)
(about 2 lemons
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup buttermilk)
(240ml
- ¼ cup lemon juice)
(about 2 lemons
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup unsalted butter)
room temperature (227g
- 8 ounces cream cheese)
room temperature (226g
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest)
(about 1 lemon
- 7 cups powdered sugar)
(840g
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice)
(about 1 lemon
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Directions
- 1
Preheat the oven to 350F. Grease two 8-inch round cake pans and line with parchment paper.
- 2
In a large mixing bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter and cream cheese together on medium speed until creamy and well combined. Add the lemon zest and beat until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
- 3
Remove the parchment paper from the cake layers. Place one layer on a cake stand or serving plate. Top with 1 cup of frosting, spreading smoothly out to the edges. Top with the second cake layer and spread the remaining frosting all over the outside of the cake. Decorate with thin lemon slices or edible flowers, if desired.
Lemon Cake
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About this Recipe
Craving a dessert that’s bright, refreshing, and bursting with authentic citrus flavor? This homemade Lemon Cake recipe is designed to deliver a sweet, tart, and tangy experience that will truly brighten your day, offering a delightful escape with every forkful.What sets this Lemon Cake apart is its commitment to fresh, vibrant lemon notes, integrated from scratch into both the moist cake layers and the rich cream cheese frosting. By diligently incorporating both lemon zest and juice into the batter, you achieve a truly complex citrus profile that tastes wonderfully natural, avoiding any artificial notes. The inclusion of buttermilk is key here, reacting with the baking soda and powder to ensure an incredibly tender and moist crumb, providing the perfect, airy canvas for those bold lemon flavors to truly sing.Prepare for a truly delightful sensory journey with every slice of this exceptional cake. You’ll experience a wonderfully moist and tender cake, infused with the sunny essence of real lemons that permeates from crust to crumb. The flavors strike a beautiful balance—sweet enough to be a comforting treat, yet with a refreshing tartness that invigorates the palate and keeps it from ever feeling heavy or cloying. Topped with a luscious, tangy cream cheese frosting, also brightened with a generous amount of fresh lemon zest and juice, this cake offers a creamy, dreamy counterpoint to the vibrant citrus. It’s a truly satisfying dessert that feels both elegant and deeply comforting, perfect for any occasion.While this Lemon Cake shines beautifully on its own, you can easily personalize the serving experience to suit your preferences. For a visually appealing and fresh touch, consider garnishing individual slices with a few fresh berries like raspberries, blueberries, or even thinly sliced lemon rounds. If you desire an even more intense lemon aroma and flavor on top, a light sprinkle of additional fresh lemon zest over the frosted cake just before serving adds an extra, bright pop.This vibrant Lemon Cake is an ideal choice for celebrations, special gatherings, potlucks, or simply as a cheerful treat to enjoy with your afternoon tea or coffee. Its uplifting, sunny flavors make it a fantastic dessert to share, effortlessly bringing a little ray of sunshine and joy to any table and making every moment feel a bit more special.