Moist Lemon Cake

This layer cake gets its citrus flavor from fresh lemon peel and juice. Don't wait for a party to serve this luscious recipe.

from Family Circle

Moist Lemon Cake
Servings: 16 Prep 25 mins Bake 350°F 35 mins

Ingredients

Cake:
  • 1 lemon
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1 6 ounce container lemon yogurt
  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 3/4 cups sugar
  • 3 large eggs
Frosting:
  • 3/4 cup (1-1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 16 ounce box confectioners sugar
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice (from Cake)
  • Yellow food coloring (optional)

Make It

Cake:

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees . Coat two 9-inch round cake pans with nonstick cooking spray. Line pans with parchment or waxed paper (step A, below); spray paper.

2. Zest lemon peel (about 2 teaspoons). Juice lemon (step B).

3. In medium-size bowl, combine flour, baking powder and salt. In a measuring cup, whisk together milk, yogurt and vanilla. In large bowl, beat butter and sugar together on medium speed until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs, one at a time, beating well after each.

4. On low speed, beat flour mixture into butter mixture in three additions, alternating with milk mixture. Beat well after each addition. Fold in zest. Divide batter evenly between prepared pans.

5. Bake layers at 350 degrees for 35 minutes or until cake springs back when pressed lightly. Cool in pans on wire rack for 10 minutes. Carefully invert cake layers directly onto racks, remove and discard paper and let layers cool completely.

Frosting:

6. Once layers are cool, beat butter, 1 cup of the confectioners sugar, the reserved lemon juice (about 2 tablespoons) and 2 tablespoons water in a large bowl until smooth. Gradually beat in remaining confectioners sugar until good spreading consistency. Tint with a few drops of food coloring, if desired. To frost cake, place one layer on a plate or stand. Spread top of layer with 1 cup frosting. Stack second cake layer on first and begin frosting side of cake (step C). Continue around side of cake, then finish top, swirling decoratively. Serve immediately or refrigerate before slicing and serving.

Tip

Step A
  • Trace cake pan on waxed paper. Cut out circle; repeat for second pan. Fit waxed paper circles into bottoms of greased pans, then spray paper.
Step B
  • After grating the peel, slice lemon in half and juice it. Set juice aside for frosting.
Step C
  • Spread a generous amount of frosting on side of stacked layersan offset (angled) spatula works well.

Nutrition Facts

Servings Per Recipe: 16; Amount Per Serving: cal. (kcal): 491, Fat, total (g): 22, chol. (mg): 95, sat. fat (g): 13, carb. (g): 71, fiber (g): 1, pro. (g): 5, sodium (mg): 152, Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
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