Description
Indulge in the bright and zesty flavors of Ina’s Lemon Cake, a delightful dessert that will brighten any occasion. This moist cake features the perfect balance of tangy lemon zest and juice, complemented by a rich cream cheese frosting for an irresistible treat. Ideal for birthdays, sunny afternoons, or simply as a sweet indulgence, this cake is sure to impress friends and family alike. Serve it with fresh berries or a dollop of whipped cream for an extra splash of flavor. With straightforward instructions, even novice bakers can achieve stunning results with this homemade lemon delight.
Ingredients
- 2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
- 2 1/2 cups sugar, divided
- 4 eggs
- lemon zest from 5 lemons
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice, divided
- 3/4 cup buttermilk, at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350ºF and prepare two 9-inch round baking tins.
- Beat softened butter and 2 cups of the sugar until fluffy, then add eggs one at a time along with lemon zest.
- In another bowl, mix flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Combine the dry ingredients with the wet mixture along with 1/4 cup of lemon juice, buttermilk, and vanilla extract.
- Divide batter into prepared pans and bake for 30-35 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Make simple syrup using 1/2 cup of lemon juice and 1/2 cup of sugar, then poke holes in cooled cakes to soak them.
- Prepare the frosting by mixing cream cheese and butter with powdered sugar until smooth, then frost the cooled cakes.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 40g
- Sodium: 210mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 49g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
Keywords: Use fresh lemons for the best flavor. Ensure all ingredients are at room temperature for optimal mixing. If desired, add fresh berries to the batter or use them as decoration on top.