Luscious Lemon Cake

By AzWench

For a more elegant presentation, frost the entire cake.

Ingredients

• Luscious Lemon Frosting:
• 8 egg yolks
• 3/4 cup butter, softened
• 1 1/4 cups sugar
• 2 1/2 cups cake flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup milk
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest
• 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 cup butter, softened
• 2 teaspoon lemon zest
• 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
• 2 pounds powdered sugar
• 1 to 2 tablespoons half-and-half (optional)

Preparation

Step 1

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Beat egg yolks at high speed with an electric mixer 4 minutes until thick and pale. Set aside.

2. Beat butter at medium speed until creamy; gradually add sugar, beating well. Add beaten egg yolks, beating well.

3. Combine flour, baking powder, and salt; add to butter mixture alternately with milk, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Beat at low speed just until blended after each addition. Stir in lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla. Spoon batter into 3 greased and floured 8-inch round cake pans.

4. Bake at 375 degrees for 12 to 17 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Let cool in pans on wire racks 10 minutes. Remove from pans to wire racks, and cool completely (about 1 hour).

5. Spread Luscious Lemon Frosting between layers of cake. Cover and chill until ready to serve.

Luscious Lemon Frosting:
1. Beat butter at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy; stir in lemon zest and juice. (Mixture will appear curdled.) Gradually add sugar; beat at high speed 4 minutes or until spreading consistency. Gradually beat in up to 2 tablespoons half-and-half, if necessary for desired consistency.