Description
A bright and zesty lemon layer cake with creamy lemon cream cheese buttercream, perfect for celebrations.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 cups (354g) sifted all-purpose flour
- 2 and 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 and 3/4 cups (350g) granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs, at room temperature
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1 cup (240ml) whole milk, at room temperature
- 1 heaping tablespoon lemon zest (about 2 lemons)
- 1/3 cup (80ml) fresh lemon juice (about 2 lemons)
- 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, softened
- 8 ounces (226g) full-fat brick cream cheese, softened
- 4 and 1/2 cups (540g) confectioners’ sugar
- 2 tablespoons (30ml) fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- Pinch salt, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C). Grease three 8-inch cake pans, line with parchment paper rounds, and grease the parchment paper.
- Whisk the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together in a bowl. Set aside.
- Beat the butter and sugar together on high speed until smooth and creamy, about 3 minutes. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed.
- Beat in the eggs and vanilla extract on high speed until fully combined, about 2 minutes.
- Add the dry ingredients gradually just until combined. While still mixing on low, add the milk, lemon zest, and lemon juice, mixing until just combined.
- Pour the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans. Bake for 21–26 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Let the cakes cool completely.
- Beat the butter until creamy, about 2 minutes. Add cream cheese and beat until smooth.
- Gradually add confectioners’ sugar, lemon juice, and vanilla with the mixer running on low. Increase to high speed and beat for 3 minutes.
- Slice a thin layer off the tops of the cakes to create a flat surface.
- Assemble the cake by layering with frosting between each layer and covering the top and sides with frosting.
- Refrigerate for at least 30–45 minutes before slicing.
Notes
For best results, use room temperature ingredients and avoid overmixing the batter.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 35g
- Sodium: 250mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 62g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 60mg