I am so glad she waited and found the best lemon cake recipe I have ever tried.
This recipe is the perfect one to stack up layers or eat all on its own. You’ll see!
Ingredients
2 1/4 cups Gold Medal cake flour*
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 1/4 cups Land O’ Lakes low fat buttermilk
4 large egg whites
1 1/2 cups Domino granulated sugar
2 teaspoons grated lemon zest
1 stick Land O’ Lakes (8 tablespoons or 4 ounces) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/2 teaspoon pure lemon extract
FOR THE LEMON CREAM CHEESE FROSTING:
8 oz. Philadelphia cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted Land O’ Lakes butter, softened
2 3/4 cups Domino powdered sugar, sifted
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice (from about 1/2 a large lemon)
1 tablespoon freshly grated lemon zest
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
Place a rack in the center of the oven and preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter and flour two 8×2-inch cake pans, line with parchment paper, then butter the parchment.
In a medium bowl, sift together the cake flour, baking powder, and salt. In a separate, medium bowl or a large measuring cup, whisk together the buttermilk and egg whites.
Place the granulated sugar and lemon zest in the bowl of a standing mixer or a large mixing bowl and rub them together with your fingers until the sugar is moist and fragrant. Add the butter and beat on medium speed for 3 full minutes, until very light and fluffy. Beat in the lemon extract.
Beating on medium speed, add one-third of the flour mixture, then half of the egg/buttermilk mixture and beat until combined. Still beating on medium speed, add the next third of the dry ingredients, then the remaining eggs/buttermilk. Beat until the batter is smooth, then add the remaining dry ingredients. Beat for 2 additional minutes on medium speed, ensuring the batter is very well combined and plenty of air has been beaten into it.
Divide the batter evenly between the two pans and smooth the tops with a rubber of offset spatula. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the cakes are well risen, spring back lightly when touched, and a small knife inserted into the center comes out clean. Place the cake pans on a wire rack and let cool 5 minutes, then run a dull knife around the sides of the cake to loosen. Gently invert the cake into your hand so that it comes out of the pan, remove the paper liner, then place the cake directly back onto the wire rack, bottom (flat) side down and right-side up. Let cool to room temperature.
Prepare the frosting: Using a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment or a hand mixer, beat the cream cheese and butter together on medium speed until smooth and no lumps remain, about 3 full minutes. Reduce the mixer speed to low, then add the powdered sugar, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, lemon zest, vanilla extract, and salt. Once the sugar begins to incorporate, increase the mixer to high speed and beat for 3 minutes. Add remaining tablespoon lemon juice to thin if desired.
Frost the cake: First, using a large serrated knife, trim the tops off the cake layers to create a flat surface. Place 1 layer on your cake plate or stand. Tuck wax or parchment paper strips underneath the edges of the cake to protect the plate. Evenly cover the top with lemon cream cheese frosting. Place the second cake layer on top, cut-side down. Top with more frosting and spread the frosting down around the sides. Decorate as desired. You can slice the cake right away, but for the cleanest cut, refrigerate the frosted cake or place in a cool room for 40 minutes to set. Let come as close to room temperature as possible prior to serving—serving cold can cause some of the fresh lemon flavor to be hard to taste.
