Monday, October 05, 2009

Lemon Cake

I made this cake for Carlos birthday recently. I used Ina Garten recipe and as usual it never fails me. This cake is moist and with great balance of sweetness and tanginess. This cake taste even better the next day as the syrup really seep into the cakes. This recipe is a keeper and I will make it again and again.

Ingredients:

2 stick (226 grms) unsalted butter, at room temperature
2 cups sugar
4 extra-large eggs
1/3 cup grated lemon zest
3 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
3/4 cup buttermilk, at room temperature
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

For Syrup:


1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup lemon juice

For the Glaze:


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

1. 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 or any pan of your choice. You may also line the bottom with parchment paper, if desired.
2. 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, one at a time, and the lemon zest.
3. 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.
4. To make the syrup, 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.
5. 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.

18 comments:

Jun said...

me too, me too..nak buat jugak nnti..mmg suke lemon..kalau boleh mandi pon nak siram lemon, hehehe...mcm dh terasa2 kat tekak ni..nway, happy belated birthday to carlos ye? september or oct gert? heee

Little Inbox said...

What a coincident, I was thinking to make a lemon butter cake too, but I haven't take action yet.

maybelle's mom said...

heavenly.

Ju (The Little Teochew) said...

Ahhh ... I have 3 lemons in the fridge and you just answered my question about what to do with them! How did you drizzle the syrup so artistically? The cakes look so beautiful :)

Elin Chia said...

Gert,
Carlos must be happy this this birthday cake...I can imagine how nice this cake would be. Baked with love is the best...sure will turn out good :))) A Happy Belated Birthday Wish to Carlos! :))

Angie's Recipes said...

Lemony butter cake...love how you drizzle the cake.

Angie's Recipes

Shereen said...

This I likey!Will bake it as soon as I finished visiting the queen..wink!wink!

Sonia ~ Nasi Lemak Lover said...

Earlier I did baked Lemon Chiffon, but we dont really like it, just wonder Lemon butter cake would be better than Lemon Chiffon? Ok, I trust your words and will try to bake it.

Little Corner of Mine said...

I love the texture of this cake, looks really good and yummy. I got a thing for lemon too.

Zue Murphy said...

I always like Ina garten's recipe. I think she can bake good cake. Your cake is cute.

ICook4Fun said...

Jun, thank you. Birthday dia in October.

Little in box, looking forward to see your posting :)

Maybelle, yeap

Little Teochew, thank you.

Elin, yea he loves it and thank you.

Angie, thank you.

Shereen, Have a good time with the Queen ;)

Sonia, I actually love lemon chiffon cake.

LCOM, me too :)

Noob Cook said...

I love the way the glaze is being drizzled on top. Your cake looks delish.

mycookinghut said...

I love lemon with anything.. so this is great. The drizzle on top of the cake is tempting... heheheh

daphne said...

I have to say that the cake looks very moist and the icing is sooo tempting! Well done!

ICook4Fun said...

Zue, thank you. I like Ina recipes too especially her cakes.

Noobcook, thank you.

Leemei, me too :)

Daphne, thank you.

Sabrina Woon said...

wow. nice cake. looks sooo delicious ! wish uncle carlos happy belated birthday !

Christelle said...

Oh beautiful, love the way you poured the icing for deco :))
Ayt last I am catching up with blog world, I have been very slow on posting these last three months due to work overload, but I am far from having given up!! :)

ICook4Fun said...

Sabrina, uncle Carlos said thank you :)

Christelle, thank you. You must be very busy with work :)