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+ servings
Lemon Layer Cake

Lemon Layer Cake

This lemon layer cake is bursting with real lemon flavor and is perfect for any occasion.
Prep Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 35 minutes
Course Cake
Cuisine American
Servings 13 slices
Calories 853 kcal

Equipment

  • 8-inch cake pans
  • mixer
  • Cooling racks

Ingredients
  

Lemon cake

  • 2.5 cups all-purpose flour (measured properly)
  • 1.75 teaspoon baking powder
  • 0.25 teaspoon baking soda
  • 0.5 teaspoon salt
  • 0.5 cups unsalted butter room temperature
  • 0.5 cups vegetable oil
  • 1.5 cups sugar
  • 0.5 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 4 large eggs
  • 0.75 cups milk
  • 0.5 cups fresh lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoon fresh lemon zest

Lemon cream cheese frosting

  • 16 oz cream cheese room temperature
  • 0.75 cups unsalted butter room temperature
  • 10 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon zest

Instructions
 

For the cake

  • Prepare three 8-inch cake pans with parchment paper circles in the bottom and grease the sides. Preheat oven to 350°F (176°C).
  • Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a medium sized bowl and set aside.
  • Add the butter, oil, sugar and vanilla extract to a large mixer bowl and beat together until light in color and fluffy, about 1 ½ to 2 minutes.
  • Add the eggs one at a time, mixing until mostly combined after each.
  • Add half of the dry ingredients to the batter and mix until mostly combined. Add the milk, lemon juice, and lemon zest and mix until well combined.
  • Add the remaining dry ingredients and mix until well combined and smooth.
  • Divide the batter evenly between the cakes pans and bake for 22-25 minutes.
  • Remove the cakes from the oven and allow to cool for about 2-3 minutes, then remove to cooling racks to cool completely.

To make the lemon cream cheese frosting

  • Add the cream cheese and butter to a large mixer bowl and beat until well combined and smooth.
  • Add about half of the powdered sugar and mix until well combined and smooth.
  • Add the lemon juice and zest and mix until well combined.
  • Add the remaining powdered sugar and mix until well combined and smooth.
  • To put the cake together, use a large serrated knife to remove the domes from the top of the cakes so that they’re flat, if needed.
  • Place the first cake on a serving plate or a cardboard cake round.
  • Spread about 1 cup of frosting evenly on top of the cake.
  • Add the second layer of cake and another cup of frosting.
  • Top the cake with the remaining layer and frost the outside of the cake.
  • Add swirls of frosting to the top of the cake and finish it off with some lemon slices.
  • Refrigerate the cake until ready to serve.

Notes

Cake is best served cool, but not cold.

Nutrition

Serving: 1sliceCalories: 853kcalCarbohydrates: 128gProtein: 6.8gFat: 37gCholesterol: 129.8mgSodium: 239.2mgSugar: 107.6g
Keyword baking, cream cheese frosting, dessert, layer cake, Lemon Cake, Lemon Layer Cake
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