Description
This recipe features a bright, zesty lemon cake achieved by rubbing zest into sugar, ensuring maximum flavor. The cake layers combine butter for richness and olive oil for exceptional moisture, creating a light and airy crumb. It is finished with a tangy, cloud-like cream cheese frosting, making it an ideal celebratory dessert.
Ingredients
- Lemon Zest
- Granulated Sugar
- Softened Unsalted Butter (for cake)
- Large Eggs
- Fresh Lemon Juice
- Olive Oil
- Pure Vanilla Extract
- Cake Flour
- Baking Powder
- Baking Soda
- Salt
- Whole Milk
- Cream Cheese (for frosting)
- Powdered Sugar
- Heavy Cream
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Butter and line two 9-inch cake pans with parchment paper.
- In the bowl of your stand mixer, combine the lemon zest and sugar. Use your fingers to rub them together for about a minute until the sugar is fragrant and yellow. Add the softened butter and mix on low, then beat on high for 2 minutes.
- Switch to the whisk attachment and add the eggs. Beat for 2 minutes until the mixture has doubled in volume. Add the lemon juice, olive oil, and vanilla, whisking vigorously for another 2 minutes until the batter is pale and beautiful.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the cake flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Add this flour mixture to your wet ingredients along with the milk. Mix just until combined, being careful not to overmix the batter.
- Divide the batter between your pans and bake for 25-30 minutes. A toothpick should come out clean. Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes before moving them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Whip up the frosting: Beat the butter and cream cheese until smooth. Gradually add the powdered sugar, then the vanilla, salt, heavy cream, and lemon juice. Beat on high for 5 minutes until it is light, fluffy, and cloud-like.
- Assemble the masterpiece: Slice each cooled cake layer in half to create four thin layers. Spread about 3/4 cup of frosting between each layer. Finish with a thin crumb coat, chill for 20 minutes, then frost the outside for a gorgeous finish.
Notes
Ensure your cake pans are properly prepared with butter and parchment paper circles to guarantee easy release after baking. When slicing the cooled cake layers, use a long serrated knife and rotate the cake slowly while keeping the knife level to achieve perfectly even layers for stacking.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American