Lemon Cake


This is an Ina Garten recipe that was inspired by Donna of My Tasty Treasures. When I saw this on her blog I knew I HAD to make it. You can get the recipe from Donna's site or you can get it here below. Donna has some great step by step pictures of making this cake on her site. Someday, when this 51 year old brain can figure out how in the world to post more than one picture after each paragraph, I too shall try that...I'm serious. I cannot figure that out. Katherine from Smoky Mountain Cafe took pity on me when I mentioned this a while ago and left me instructions on my blog comments on how to do this. Do you think I figured it out then....no. I'm beginning to feel very stupid here.

Anyhow, moving along.......the cake is very, very good. It has a sweet lemon taste to it so it is not too tart at all. I really enjoyed it. This makes two loaves. I froze one. I will most definitely be making this again and again....Thanks Donna!

1/2 pound (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
2 1/2 cups granulated sugar, divided
4 extra large eggs, at room temperature (I used large)
1/3 cup grated lemon zest, (6 to 8 large lemons)
3 cups flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp kosher salt
3/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice, divided
3/4 cup buttermilk (I used whole milk, with 1 tbs lemon juice)
1 tsp pure vanilla extract

GLAZE

2 cups confectioners' sugar, sifted
3 1/2 tbs freshly squeezed lemon juice

Preheat oven to 350F. Grease and flour 2 (8 1/2 by 4 1/4 by 2 1/2 inch) loaf pans. You may also line the bottom with parchment paper, if desired.

Cream the butter and 2 cups granulated sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (I use a hand held mixer) until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. With the mixer on medium speed, add the eggs, 1 at a time and the lemon zest.

Sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a bowl. In another bowl, combine 1/4 cup lemon juice, the buttermilk and vanilla. Add the flour and buttermilk mixtures alternately to the batter, beginning and ending with the flour. Divide the batter evenly between the pans, smooth the tops, and bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour, until a cake tester comes out clean.

Combine 1/2 cup granulated sugar with 1/2 cup lemon juice in a small saucepan and cook over low heat until the sugar dissolves. When the cakes are done, allow to cool for 10 minutes. Remove the cakes from the pans and set them on a rack set over a tray or sheet pan; spoon the lemon syrup over them. Allow the cakes to cool completely.

For the glaze, combine the confectioners' sugar and the lemon juice in a bowl, mixing with a wire whisk until smooth. Pour over the tops of the cakes and allow the glaze to drizzle down.

Comments

Elyse said…
This looks over-the-top good! I have been craving citrus lately, and lucky for me, I just happen to have some lemons on hand!
Ashlee said…
Yum! This looks like the delicious Starbucks Iced Lemon Loaf... so good!
Donna-FFW said…
Debbie- Thank you so much.. I am so glad you liked it. It is one of my favorites also. It really does freeze beautifully. Yours looks so pretty.
Anonymous said…
It definitely looks wonderful - yum!
It looks so pretty. I saw it on Donna's blog too. I want to try it. You did a fantastic job...it looks so moist.
Jennifer said…
I have to get in on this and make that cake. It makes my mouth water. OK easy to do the photo thing, upload all the ones you want and all you do is grab with your mouse and move the photos where you want them. I took me asking my friend how to do it as well.
Pam said…
I love lemon desserts...this cake is perfect.
Anonymous said…
Anything lemon is always amazing and that glaze...wow.
Maria said…
I love lemon cake!! This one looks amazing!
Judy said…
I've been drooling over Ina's recipe for quite some time but am afraid to make it. Afraid because I know I will eat it all! BTW, I'm in the stupid camp also when it comes to photos on the blog. Mine are a total mess. I can get more than one on, but they're never where I want them to be.
Susan @ SGCC said…
I love this recipe! It makes such a nice, moist cake. Looks like you did a great job with it!
test it comm said…
That lemon cake looks nice and light and fluffy and good!
Pamela said…
Gosh, there is lemon EVERYWHRE lately! I want some, that's for sure!