Triple-Layer Lemon Cake
Recipe from Better Homes and Garden
Yield: Makes 12 servings.
Lemon Curd
Yields: 2 cups
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 3 teaspoons finely shredded lemon peel
- 6 tablespoons lemon juice
- 6 tablespoons water
- 6 beaten egg yolks
- 1/2 cup butter or margarine, cut up
Directions
- Stir together sugar and cornstarch in medium saucepan.
- Stir in lemon peel, lemon juice, and water.
- Cook and whisk over medium heat until thickened and bubbly. (about 5 minutes)
- Stir half of the lemon mixture into the egg yolks and return egg mixture to the pan.
- Cook, stirring constantly, over medium heat until mixture comes to a gentle boil.
- Cook for 2 minutes.
- Remove from heat and add butter, stirring until melted.
- Cover surface of the curd with plastic wrap.
- Chill at least 1 hour or for up to 48 hours.
- Store covered in refrigerator up to 1 week or transfer to a freezer container and freeze for up to 2 months.
- Thaw in refrigerator before serving.
Variation Orange Curd:Prepare as above, except decrease sugar to 3/4 cup, substitute orange peel for the lemon peel and 3/4 cup orange juice for the lemon juice and water. Makes about 1-1/2 cups (twelve 2-tablespoon servings).
Cake
Cake Ingredients:
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 4 eggs
- 2 1/3cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups sugar
- 2 teaspoons finely shredded lemon peel
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 cup buttermilk or sour milk
- 1/2 recipe Lemon Curd or 1 cup purchased lemon curd
- 1 recipe Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting
- Lemon peel curls (optional)
Directions:
- Allow butter and eggs to stand at room temperature for 30 minutes.
- Grease and lightly flour three 9 x 1-1/2-inch round cake pans.
- Combine flour, baking powder, soda, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl beat butter with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds.
- Add sugar, lemon peel, and lemon juice; beat until well combined.
- Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each.
- Add flour mixture and buttermilk alternately to beaten mixture, beating on low speed after each addition just until combined.
- Pour into prepared pans.
- Bake at 350° F for 25 to 30 minutes or until a wooden toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool cakes in pans on wire racks for 10 minutes.
- Remove cakes from pans. Cool thoroughly on wire racks.
Assemble
- Place a cake layer on a cake plate.
- Spread with half of the Lemon Curd.
- Top with second layer; spread with the remaining Lemon Curd.
- Top with third layer.
- Frost top and sides with Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting.
- Cover and store cake in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving.
- If desired, garnish with lemon peel curls or Candied Lemon Slices.
Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon finely shredded lemon peel
- 2-3 ounce package cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 4 1/2 - 4 3/4 cups sifted powdered sugar
Directions
- Finely shred lemon peel; set aside.
- In a medium mixing bowl combine cream cheese, butter, and 1 lemon juice; beat with electric mixer on low to medium speed until light and fluffy.
- Gradually add 2 cups sifted powdered sugar, beating well.
- Gradually beat in 2-1/2 to 2-3/4 cups additional powdered sugar until spreading consistency.
- Stir in the lemon peel.