Lemon Cake Recipe with Homemade Lemon Curd

 Lemon Cake Recipe with Homemade Lemon Curd 

Ingredients

For the Lemon Cake:

• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 3/4 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1 Tbsp lemon zest
• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 3 large eggs, room temperature
• 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 3/4 cup milk, room temperature
• 1/4 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice

For the Lemon Curd:

• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice
• 2 tsp lemon zest
• 3 Tbsp unsalted butter, cubed
• For the Vanilla Frosting:
• Appropriate amounts of sugar, flour, and salt
• Milk and vanilla to taste
• Unsalted butter, softened

Directions

Lemon Cake:
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line three 6-inch cake pans with parchment paper.
Whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl.
In a separate bowl, cream the butter and lemon zest until smooth, then gradually add sugar and beat until fluffy and light-colored.
Add eggs one at a time, fully incorporating after each addition. Stir in vanilla.
Alternately mix in the dry ingredients and milk with the lemon juice, starting and ending with the dry ingredients.
Divide the batter among the prepared pans and bake for about 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let cakes cool completely.
Lemon Curd:
Whisk together eggs and sugar in a small pot. Add lemon juice and zest, then cubes of butter.
Cook over medium-low heat, whisking constantly, until the mixture thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
Cool and chill the curd, placing plastic wrap directly on the surface to prevent a skin from forming.
Vanilla Frosting:
Prepare a roux with flour, sugar, and a little salt, cooked with milk and vanilla.
Cool the mixture to room temperature.
Beat the butter until fluffy, then gradually mix in the cooled roux until the frosting is smooth and spreadable.
Assembly:
Layer the cake with generous amounts of frosting and spoonfuls of lemon curd between each layer.
Frost the exterior smoothly and decorate with additional lemon zest or thin lemon slices for a decorative touch.
This Lemon Cake is a wonderful combination of sweet and tart, making it an ideal dessert for spring and summer gatherings or whenever you crave a light and refreshing treat.