Description
A light, fluffy cake bursting with fresh lemon flavor, perfect for summer gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 1/4 cups cake flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 5 large eggs, separated
- 3/4 cup fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
- 1 pound cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
- 2 tablespoons lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Lemon slices for garnish
- Mint leaves for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C). Line the bottoms of three 8-inch round cake pans with parchment paper.
- Sift together the cake flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl.
- In a large bowl, whisk together 1 cup of sugar, vegetable oil, egg yolks, fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, and vanilla extract.
- In a separate bowl, beat the egg whites with cream of tartar until foamy. Gradually add the remaining 1/4 cup of sugar while continuing to beat until stiff peaks form.
- Fold the egg white mixture into the lemon batter until just combined.
- Divide the batter evenly among the prepared cake pans. Bake for about 25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then turn them out onto wire racks to cool completely.
- For the frosting, beat the cream cheese and softened butter together until smooth. Gradually add the powdered sugar, then mix in the additional lemon zest and vanilla extract.
- To assemble the cake, place one layer on a serving plate and spread frosting on top. Repeat this with the remaining layers, frosting the top and sides of the cake.
- Garnish with lemon slices and mint leaves before serving.
Notes
Use fresh lemon juice for the best flavor. Don’t overmix the batter when folding in the egg whites to keep the cake light and fluffy.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 35g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: lemon cake, dessert, summer recipe, celebration cake