Lemon Cake
This recipe was taken from Foodnetwork.com
Ingredients:
2 sticks unsalted butter, at room temperature
2 1/2 cups sugar, divided
4 extra-large eggs
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 salt
3/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice, divided
3/4 cup buttermilk
1 teaspoon vanilla
For the glaze:
2 cups confectioners’ sugar, sifted
3 1/2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and grease and flour 2 loaf pans.
2. Cream the butter and 2 cups sugar until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes.
3. With the mixer on medium speed, add the eggs, 1 at a time, and the lemon zest.
4. Sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a bowl.
5. In another bowl, combine 1/4 cup lemon juice, the buttermilk, and vanilla and add the flour and buttermilk mixtures alternately to the batter.
6. 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.
7. Combine 1/2 cup sugar with 1/2 cup lemon juice in a small saucepan and cook over low heat until the sugar dissolves.
8. 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:
1. 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.