Lemon Cake

evelyn/athens's Note:

An Ina Garten recipe, slightly modified as I like my cakes slightly less sweet. A lovely loaf - great on its own or serve it with lemon curd and fresh raspberries.

• Total Time: 1 hrs 25 mins
• Prep Time: 25 mins
• Cook Time: 1 hrs

Ingredients:

Yield: 2 loaves

• ½ lb unsalted butter , room temperature
• 1 ½ cups sugar (2 1/2 cups original recipe)
• 4 extra large eggs , room temperature
• 1⁄3; cup grated lemon zest (6 to 8 large lemons)
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• ¾ cup fresh lemon juice
• ¾ cup buttermilk , room temperature
• 1 ½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract (1 tsp. original recipe)

For the Glaze

• 1 ½ cups confectioners' sugar (2 cups original recipe)
• 3 ½ tablespoons fresh lemon juice

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C).
2. Grease two 8 1/2 x 4 1/2 x 2 1/2-inch loaf pans.
3. Cream the butter and 2 cups granulated sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, for about 5 minutes, or until light and fluffy.
4. With the mixer on medium speed, add the eggs, one at a time, and the lemon zest.
5. Sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a bowl.
6. In another bowl, combine 1/4 cup lemon juice, the buttermilk, and vanilla.
7. Add the flour and buttermilk mixtures alternately to the batter, beginning and ending with the flour.
8. 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.
9. 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 and makes a syrup.
10. When the cakes are done, let them cool for 10 minutes, then invert them onto a rack set over a tray, and spoon the lemon syrup over the cakes.
11. Allow the cakes to cool completely.
12. For the glaze, combine the confectioners' sugar and lemon juice in a bowl, mixing with a wire whisk until smooth.
13. Pour over the top of the cakes and allow the glaze to drizzle down the sides.

Reviews

[sugarpea]

Made this for Dh as he's the lemon-lover and he did indeed love it. Served this with recipe #37890 which took it over the top. I liked the modification of less sugar, not missing it at all. Made this as a bundt cake. Next time I'll turn the heat down to 325? as it got a little too brown at the bottom of the pan while the top needed a full hour to complete baking.

[Kittencalskitchen]

Evelyn, this cake is delicious, I made this this morning for my lemon-loving DH, I ran out of Kosher salt so I use 3/4 teaspoon regular table salt, and that seemed to work fine. This is a moist denser cake and it is fairly sweet (even with Ev's modification!) so you might want to reduce the sugar a little if you do not have a sweet tooth lol! great cake Ev!...Kitten:)