Smooth and silky lemon curd reside between the layers of this soft lemony cake frosted with lemon buttercream. This is the ultimate lemon curd layer cake for lemon lovers. Did I mention there was lemon?
If you’re a lemon dessert lover like me, you’d know that we’re the minority. If you’re at a restaurant and you’re sharing a dessert with a group, you’d almost always certainly be outvoted – you know the group would go for the chocolate lava cake (which is not a bad thing, we like chocolates too…we just love lemons). And there are always chocolate cakes at the local bakeshop but when you’re craving for something lemony, chances are you’d have to search far and wide for one.
So being able to bake a lemon cake yourself is a big deal (at least for me). This is the second recipe I tried and decided this is the one I’m going with. Easy and simple (always my first criteria) and oh so lemony. Perfect for Easter or just to celebrate the arrival of spring (now that is reason to celebrate).
Lemon curd layer cake
And this lemon cake is a celebration-worthy cake. The cake, on its own, is light and soft but sturdy enough so it does not get all mushy once all the bells and whistles are put on top of it (or within it). It also has a delightfully light lemony flavour that doesn’t overwhelm but makes you want to take another bite.
Lemon curd
It is filled with gorgeous and lustrous lemon curd that adds that rich, sweet and tangy lemon flavour we’re craving for. I made my own lemon curd but you can certainly use your own recipe or just buy a jar of your favourite brand from the store (I strongly recommend you try to make homemade though – so delicious and so easy!).
Lemon buttercream
The lemon buttercream is, quite literally, just icing on this already awesome cake. It’s made with lemon zest and butter – how could you go wrong?
So go ahead and make this cake you lemon lover you (you know you want to). Easter is coming up and this is an excellent cake to bring to brunch, lunch or dinner. Or simply to reward yourself for surviving winter. But you really don’t need a reason. You love lemon? This is the cake for you.
Lemon curd-filled lemon layer cake with lemon buttercream. Did I say lemon?Click To Tweet
Smooth and silky lemon curd reside between the layers of this soft lemony cake frosted with lemon buttercream. This is the ultimate lemon cake for lemon lovers. Did I mention there was lemon?
Ingredients
- 2 1/3 cups cake flour
- 2 3/4 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons lemon zest (about 2 medium sized lemons - I used Meyer lemons)
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1 cup milk divided into 1/4 and 3/4 cups, room temperature
- 5 egg whites from large eggs, room temperature
- 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
- See my recipe for homemade lemon curd or you can also use store-bought
- 1 cup salted butter, room temperature
- 2 tablespoons lemon zest
- 3 1/2 cups confectioner's sugar, sifted
- 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (1 medium-sized lemon should be enough - again, I used Meyer lemons for the frosting)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F and prepare 2 8-inch pans by greasing the bottoms and sides and putting parchment paper at the bottom for easy release.
- In a medium bowl, sift 2 1/3 cups cake flour, 2 3/4 teaspoons baking powder and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Set aside.
- Using your fingers, rub the 1 3/4 cups sugar and 2 tablespoons lemon zest together until they are combined and the sugar slightly moist (and your kitchen filled with that wonderful lemon sugar smell). Set aside.
- In another bowl, using a handheld electric mixer or a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat 3/4 cup butter and your lemon sugar on medium-high speed until light, fluffy and smooth.
- Add 1/4 cup milk and mix just until incorporated.
- Switch to low speed and add a third of your flour mixture. Then half of your remaining milk. Then another third of your flour, the last of your milk then finally the last of your flour. Make sure each addition is well combined before adding in the next but do not overbeat (your mixture will be thick). Also remember to scrape the bottom and sides of your bowl. Set this batter aside for now (I only have 1 stand mixer so I transfer this to another bowl and wash and thoroughly dry my mixer bowl before I work on my egg whites. If you have two stand mixers you can obviously skip this step - and know that I am jealous).
- In another bowl using a handheld electric mixer or a stand mixer this time fitted with the whisk attachment, beat the 5 egg whites on medium-high speed until foamy. Add 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar and whisk until you reach stiff peaks.
- Gently fold your egg whites into your batter with a rubber spatula about a quarter a time. Be very careful not to deflate the air you've incorporated into the egg whites. You will notice that as you fold, the batter (which was very thick earlier) will become smoother and easier to handle.
- Divide your batter equally and transfer to your two pans.
- Bake for 30-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.
- Take out of the oven and cool in the pans for 10 minutes. Then take the cakes out of the pans, carefully remove the parchment paper and let cool on a cooling rack completely.
- You can use store-bought lemon curd or if you want to make your own, see this recipe for homemade lemon curd
- Using a handheld electric mixer or a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat 1 cup butter and 2 tablespoons lemon zest until light and fluffy.
- Gradually add the confectioner's sugar about 1/2 cup at a time and beat until smooth.
- Add the 3 tablespoons lemon juice and beat until fully incorporated or until you get the consistency you want.
- Trim the tops of your cake if they are uneven using a serrated knife or a cake leveller. The important thing is the tops are level and your two cakes are of equal height (you can eyeball this but a ruler is very handy).
- Take one and place on a platter or cake turntable smooth side down (trimmed side up). Using a piping bag fitted with your favourite large tip (I would recommend the Wilton 1A or similar) or just simply cut the end of the bag to make a hole about 1/3 of an inch in diameter, pipe a border around the cake to act as a dam so your lemon curd won't ooze out later.
- Once you've done that, fill the centre with about 1/4 cup lemon curd (you might need to add more) - the key is making the height of the lemon curd equal to the height of your dam so your cake doesn't sag in the middle.
- Put your other cake on top, smooth side up (trimmed side down). Now you can go crazy! Decorate as desired.
Notes
1. Making homemade lemon curd would make this a 2-day cake because the curd has to be refrigerated overnight.
2. I used Meyer lemons, which is sweeter, so when I tasted the different components of this cake I decided it would be too sweet if I frost the cake all the way around. So I made a nude cake and that worked perfectly for me. You can certainly frost and decorate any way you like.
(This recipe adapted from Fine Cooking)
Happy baking!
Did you make this lemon curd layer cake? Tell me about it in the comments section below. I’d love to hear all about it. Obsessed with lemons? Check out I Love Lemons for more lemony treats.
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Hi..
Cake looks amazzzzzing!!! Can’t wait to try this. Thank you for the recipe.
One question though, can a cake filled with lemon curd be left at room temperature for a couple of days? It’ll be covered in fondant.
Hi Shiela! I always personally refrigerate lemon curd because it’s egg based. But there’s really conflicting opinions online. Check this out: http://www.cakecentral.com/forum/t/666810/lemon-curd-as-a-filling Good luck and hope your cake turns out great!
I have a feeling, that should I make this, it would be my ultimate weakness. All the more reason to! YUM!
Go for it Chloe! 🙂 It’s so lemony and delicious 🙂
A mere look at it has made my taste buds watery. Yummy! It must really be delicious
Thanks very much Mutange! It really is a very tasty cake 🙂
It looks so fluffy and beautiful, reading this before breakfast is definitely not a good idea ! Now I want this
LOL I consider my job done 🙂 Thanks Maryam! Hope you get the chance to try this recipe 🙂
Yum! This looks incredibly yummy!
Thanks very much Carrie! 🙂
Oh my gosh, this cake looks divine. Makes me want to jump across the screen and grab a bite, yummy! Great pictures too.
xx, Kusum
Thanks very much Kusum! Maybe someday they’ll invent technology that will allow us to share food via our computer screens. Won’t that be awesome 🙂
Oh my soul! That looks amazing! I’m a lemon lover too, so good!
Hooray for us lemon lovers 🙂 Thanks Paula! This is a wonderful treat for lemon dessert lovers like us. Hope you get the chance to bake it!
Looks delicious. Lemon and vanilla flavor are my favorite, this sounds very interesting!
Thanks very much Uma! 🙂
This cake looks amazing! I am definitely pinning it to my board so I can try to make it later.
Ninz
Thanks a lot Ninz! Hope you have fun making it. Let me know how it goes 🙂
Just the lemon buttercream alone, I’m sold on this recipe! I laughed when you mentioned the fact we are in the minority wit the majority opting for chocolate, every cloud….more lemon for us!
Lol! Yes, more lemons for us you’re right 🙂 Thanks for passing by Freya! Hope you get the chance to bake this cake. It’s really a treat for lemon lovers.
WOW! This looks so good! I will definitely give this a try!
Thanks very much Therese! Let me know how it goes 🙂
This cake looks simply perfect and great for summer! When I make a two layer cake I can never get the two bits to be the same size xD
Oh gosh me too. I invested $15 in a cake leveller which really is a life saver 🙂 Hope you get the chance to try making this cake Laura! 🙂
I am a fellow lemon lover and you’re right, we ARE a minority. There is something so refreshing about the taste of lemon but not many agree. I can’t wait to make this. We will convert them!
Lol! I think there will be a lemon movement soon haha. But yes, lemon is just so refreshing and lovely 🙂 Hope you like this cake Tori! Thanks for passing by!
Luxury dessert! I never not tried lemon curd, now will be the occasion 🙂
Lemon curd is so rich and decadent. If you love lemons (or even if you just like it lol) I think you will enjoy lemon curd. Hope you try it!
I’m going to try this in my kitchen this evening itself. It simply looks sumptuous and super gorgeous. Thank you so much for sharing
So happy to hear that! Hope you like it. Let me know how it goes 🙂
This is beautiful and such a great recipe! I love lemon so I know I would love this cake! It looks so light and delicious!
Thanks Alison! This is a treat for lemon lovers for sure 🙂
Lemon cake is amazing! I am not the best baker but we have a few birthdays coming up so I should give it a try.
Thanks Bella! This would make an excellent birthday cake 🙂 Let me know how it goes!
Wow! It’s such a guilty pleasure as I am on a diet these days! It looks so delicious. Have pinned it for my reference. Thanks for sharing the recipe! 🙂
Oh I stopped even thinking of diets when I started my food blog lol! Thanks for the pin Ana!
So have i! 🙂
I love the sweet and tangy combo of a lemon dessert. This is going on the to-make list.
Me too. The balance is just great. Hope you like it as much as we do! Let me know how it goes. Thanks Melissa!
This looks like heaven. I cannot wait to try this.
I appreciate that thank you! Hope you like the cake as much as I do 🙂
Lemon anything is my favorite and this looks so amazing!
Oh me too! I’m a little lemon obsessed 🙂 Thanks Vanessa!
Aah i have tasted a cake of this type back in India. But Manchester cakes are so yummy and way better. I have prepared only chocolate cake till date but I wont mind trying this one too. thanks for sharing it. 🙂
Hard to beat chocolate cakes but give this one a shot and it might change your mind 🙂 Let me know how it goes! Thanks!
WOW!!!!! I could just eat that lemon curd all by itself…. This is just gorgeous!!!!
Oh absolutely. I always have a jar of lemon curd handy when I’m having one of those of days you know? It just cheers me up 🙂 Hope you try it sometime! Thanks Ann!
Yummy another fun use for all my excess of lemons!!
I’m a little jealous of your excess lemons lol! But yes, you can make the curd and the cake and the buttercream which all need lemons 🙂 Hope you like it!
Oh I think I’d like this dessert a lot! That lemon flavor sounds great and the cake is really pretty!
I’m so happy to hear that Liz! I love lemon desserts a lot. Thanks for your kind words 🙂
My partner loves lemon cake but he can be a bit picky. He doesn’t like when it’s too lemony because it’s bitter. But if you say that the flavour is delightfully light then he might enjoy it. I might try this for him and will let him know what he thinks ! Thank you 🙂
Hi Nya! The lemon here is sweet-tart, no bitterness at all. I’m crossing my fingers that he likes it! Let me know how it goes 🙂
I don’t have much of a sweet tooth, but when I do I love lemon! It looks absolutely delicious! Will need to pass the recipe onto my cousin, she loves to bake! Great post 🙂
I love the sweet-tart combo of lemon. And it translates to desserts really well 🙂 Thanks for sharing the recipe Kerry!
This cake should be a celebration in itself it looks amazing and I love the attention to detail. Delicious!
Thanks very much Ana! I had a blast making it 🙂
Lemon cake is my ultimate favourite and this looks insane. Definitely on my list x
Hi Rhian! Mine too! It’s right up there with chocolate cake 🙂 Hope you give this a try 🙂
I’m so trying this recipe out.. it looks devine
ps. i love lemons too!
Hooray! Another member of my imaginary lemon club 🙂 Thanks Lara, hope you enjoy it! let me know how it goes 🙂
Gorgeous! A must trey , Pinned! love lemon cakes and desserts so much!
Thank you! Hope you enjoy it as much as I did 🙂
I like lemon curd and this cake looks luscious. Nice Post.
The Old Fat Guy
I am obsessed with lemons. Thanks for stopping by!
This looks incredible! I’m definitely crazy about Lemon desserts, in fact we had lemon custard yesterday… But this definitely seems way better.
I always thought I’m the only person who loves lemon desserts but apparently not! Yay! 🙂 Thanks for stopping by
Yummy
Yes to lemon everything! My mouth is watering just reading through the recipe
Jaime, you’re my kind of person! Let’s start a lemon club lol
How convenient that this cake uses 5 egg whites and your recipe for lemon curd uses 5 egg yolks. It seems criminal NOT to take advantage of that and make your own curd. 😉 I’m definitely in the lemon-lover camp, so this cake looks amazing!
Yes! Definitely a sign to make homemade lemon curd 🙂
This is definitely a recipe I wanted to see today. I have been eating the Jello Temptations lemon meringue, and it’s pretty much got me craving lemon curd. Beautiful cake!
Aha, the universe aligned 🙂 Hope you try it and like it. Thanks for stopping by!
I love chocolate desserts to death….. but somehow looking at this gorgeous cake, I kind of feel lemony. Love the freshness and tang it comes with.
Do I hear a yay for Team Lemon? Lol! Thanks for stopping by!
This is such a beautiful cake! Perfect for the spring time!
Thanks! It is a great way to usher in spring.
This looks so good. I would have to try this! ☺️
Thank you!
Oh boy! This looks really good!! I’m such a HUGE fan of lemon desserts and make lemon curd and lemon cheesecake regularly (almost too much, lol). My love for lemon desserts happened a few years ago and now I’m hooked. Yum!
I just recently discovered my love for lemons too! They are delightful aren’t they? And I have this recipe for lemon cheesecake that I am saving for a very special occasion (I really don’t know why haha)