Description
Sweet Italian tradition meets zesty lemon cream cake, promising a slice of Mediterranean bliss. Silky layers and tangy notes dance together, inviting you to savor each heavenly bite of this classic dessert.
Ingredients
Scale
Cake Base:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Citrus Flavoring:
- Zest of 2 lemons
Instructions
- Warm the oven to 350F (175C) and meticulously coat two 9-inch round cake pans with butter and flour to prevent sticking.
- Using an electric mixer, thoroughly cream butter and sugar until the mixture transforms into a pale, airy consistency, ensuring no sugar granules remain.
- Incorporate eggs individually, whipping vigorously after each addition to create a smooth, homogeneous batter.
- In a separate vessel, sift together flour, baking powder, and salt, ensuring no lumps are present.
- Gradually fold dry ingredients into the wet mixture, alternating with milk to maintain a silky texture, mixing gently to avoid overmixing.
- Infuse the batter with vibrant lemon juice, fragrant zest, and pure vanilla extract, stirring until ingredients are harmoniously blended.
- Evenly distribute the batter between prepared pans, smoothing the surfaces with a spatula for uniform baking.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, checking doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center – it should emerge clean and dry.
- Allow cakes to rest in pans for 10 minutes, then carefully transfer to a wire rack for complete cooling.
- Whip heavy cream until soft peaks form, then gently fold in lemon juice and optional zest to create a luxurious filling.
- Prepare the glaze by combining sugar, lemon juice, remaining heavy cream, and zest until achieving a smooth, glossy consistency.
- Once cakes are completely cooled, layer with lemon cream filling and drizzle with prepared glaze.
- Optional: Dust with a delicate veil of powdered sugar for an elegant finishing touch.
Notes
- Softening butter beforehand ensures smoother blending and creates a fluffier cake texture.
- Sifting dry ingredients prevents lumps and helps distribute baking powder evenly for a more consistent rise.
- Using room temperature eggs helps them incorporate more easily into the batter, creating a more uniform mixture.
- Zesting lemons carefully avoids the bitter white pith, capturing only the fragrant outer layer for maximum flavor.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend to maintain the cake’s delicate structure.
- Chilling the cream before whipping helps it reach peak volume and stability for the filling and frosting.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days to maintain freshness and prevent drying out.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 396
- Sugar: 29 g
- Sodium: 137 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 0.7 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 83 mg