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lemon lovers layer cake

(4 ratings)
hellchell1 avatar
Blue Ribbon Recipe by
Patsy Fowler
@hellchell1
Anderson, SC

My dad makes this cake, and it is so good and moist and of course, very lemony.

Blue Ribbon Recipe

Light and creamy, this layer cake recipe is bursting with lemon flavor. Brushing a lemon simple syrup on the airy cake adds flavor. The frosting is like a dense whipped cream. It makes the dessert not seem as heavy as a more traditional frosting would. It takes a little time to prepare this layer cake but, it's worth the time for any lemon lover. Store any leftover cake in the fridge since it has a whipped cream frosting.

— The Test Kitchen @kitchencrew
(4 ratings)
yield 8 -10
prep time 3 Hr
cook time 30 Min
method Bake

Ingredients For lemon lovers layer cake

  • 1 1/2 c
    cake flour
  • 2 tsp
    baking powder
  • 1 tsp
    salt
  • 1 c
    plain Greek yogurt
  • 1 c
    granulated sugar
  • 3 lg
    eggs
  • 2 tsp
    lemon zest, grated
  • 1 tsp
    vanilla extract
  • 1/4 c
    vegetable oil
  • LEMON SIMPLE SYRUP
  • 1/3 c
    lemon juice, fresh
  • 1/3 c
    granulated sugar
  • WHIPPED LEMON CREAM CHEESE FROSTING
  • 2 c
    heavy cream
  • 2 1/2 c
    powdered sugar
  • 4 oz
    cream cheese, room temperature
  • 1 tsp
    lemon zest
  • 1 Tbsp
    lemon juice
  • 1/2 tsp
    vanilla extract
  • GARNISH
  • lemon zest

How To Make lemon lovers layer cake

  • Grease and flour 2 round 9
    1
    Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour 2 round 9" cake pans.
  • Blend yogurt, 1 cup sugar, eggs, lemon zest, and vanilla extract.
    2
    In a large bowl, blend yogurt, 1 cup sugar, eggs, lemon zest, and vanilla extract.
  • Slowly add dry ingredients to the wet mixture.
    3
    Slowly add dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Fold vegetable oil gently into the batter.
  • Divide the batter evenly between the 2 cake pans.
    4
    Divide the batter evenly between the 2 cake pans.
  • Bake for about 20 minutes.
    5
    Bake for about 20 minutes or until a knife in the center of the cake comes out clean. Remove from oven and set aside for cooling.
  • Bring lemon juice and sugar to a simmer in a small pan.
    6
    While your cake layers cool, bring 1/3 cup lemon juice plus 1/3 cup sugar to a simmer in a small pan until the sugar dissolves and the mixture is clear.
  • Pour the lemon-sugar mixture over each layer and allow it to soak in.
    7
    When your cake layers have cooled for about 10 minutes, pour the lemon-sugar mixture over each layer and allow it to soak in. Set aside while you make your frosting.
  • In a large bowl, whip cream cheese.
    8
    Once the cakes are completely cooled, start the frosting. In a large bowl, whip cream cheese with an electric mixer until smooth.
  • In a separate bowl, whip heavy cream until stiff peaks form.
    9
    In a separate bowl, whip heavy cream until stiff peaks form.
  • Combine whipped cream, cream cheese, lemon juice, vanilla, lemon zest, and powdered sugar.
    10
    Add the whipped cream to the bowl of whipped cream cheese. Fold gently to incorporate. Gently stir in lemon juice, vanilla, lemon zest, and powdered sugar until smooth. Chill frosting for at least 30 minutes.
  • Trim the cake as needed.
    11
    Turn the cake layers onto a cutting board. Trim the sides/top as necessary to get rid of the brown bits.
  • A layer of cake on a stand with a generous amount of frosting.
    12
    Place one layer on a serving plate/cake stand. Spread a generous amount of frosting on top.
  • Second layer of cake added.
    13
    Lay the other cake layer on top of the frosting.
  • Completely frost the cake.
    14
    Spread the rest of the frosting on top of that. You can frost the sides of the cake too, but I can't do that and not make a huge mess.
  • Sprinkle lemon zest over the cake.
    15
    Sprinkle the top of your cake with lemon zest. Chill cake until ready to serve.
  • Last Step: Don't forget to share! Make all your friends drool by posting a picture of your finished recipe on your favorite social network. And don't forget to tag Just A Pinch and include #justapinchrecipes so we can see it too!
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