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Wednesday, January 20, 2010

When Life Gives You Lemons

Make Lemon Cake
Recipe by: Barefoot Contessa

Ingredients

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

For the glaze:

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

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. 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, 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 the sides.




Now, doesn't that look scrumptious?

7 comments:

theUngourmet said...

Your photo is beautiful and this cake sounds so delicious! I love the buttermilk in here! The glaze also sounds nice with just lemon juice and the sugar. Yummo!

Christina - Rant Rave Roll said...

Now I want cake

Unknown said...

OMG...I love lemon cake.

Carrie said...

YAY!!! You go girl with the pretty photo's. Don't you just love that camera? And OMGoodness that cake. I LOVE LOVE LOVE lemon cake, so how's about you send me some since you have a lemon tree across the street from your house. :)

monica said...

Oh that looks good. Too bad I don't have any fresh lemons or I would make it today!

Rhiannon Bosse said...

oh this sounds so very very tasty! and the pic is great :) thanks for sharing!! xx

Aunt Spicy said...

Can I come over? It looks fabulously yummy!