Lemon Layer Cake with Lemon Cream Cheese Buttercream Recipe

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Greasethree 9-inch cake pans, line with parchment paper, then grease the parchment paper. Parchment paper helps the cakes seamlessly release from the pans.
• Lemon Cake:
• Whisk the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together. Set aside.
• Using a handheld or stand mixer fitted with a paddle or whisk attachment, beat the butter and sugar together on high speed for about 3 minutes until smooth and creamy. Scrape down the sides and up the bottom of the bowl with a rubber spatula as needed.
• Beat in the eggs and vanilla extract at high speed for about 2 minutes until combined. Scrape down the sides and up the bottom of the bowl as needed.With the mixer on low speed, add the dry ingredients just until combined. With the mixer still running on low, add the buttermilk, lemon zest, and lemon juice and mix just until combined. The batter will be a little thick.
• Pour batter evenly into cake pans.Bake for around about 21 to 26 minutes or until the cakes are baked through.To test for doneness, insert a toothpick into the center of the cake. If it comes out clean, it’s done.
• Allow cakes to cool completely in the pans set on a wire rack. The cakes must be completely cool before frosting and assembling. The baked cakes are fluffy, but they are not thick– about 1 to 1.5 inches.
• Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting:
• In a large bowl using a hand-held mixer or stand mixer fitted with a whisk or paddle attachment, beat the butter on medium speed for about 2 minutes until creamy. Add the cream cheese and beat until completely smooth and combined.
• Add confectioners’ sugar, lemon juice, and vanilla extract with the mixer running on low. Increase to high speed and beat for about 3 minutes. Add more confectioners’sugar if frosting is too thin, more lemon juice if frosting is too thick, or add a pinch of salt if frosting is too sweet.
• To Assemble and Decorate:
• Using a large serrated knife,slicea thin layer off the tops of the cakesto create a flat surface. Discard (or crumble over ice cream!).Place 1 cake layer on your cake stand, cake turntable, or serving plate.Evenly cover the top with about 1 cup of frosting. Top with 2nd cake layer andevenly cover the top with about 1 cup of frosting. Top with the third cake layer.Spread the remaining frosting all over the top and sides using Wilton 8B piping tip preferably.
• Refrigerate for about 30 to 45 minutes before slicing. This helps the cake hold its shape when cutting. Cover leftover caketightly and store in the refrigerator for 5 days.