Description

This vibrant lemon-infused sponge cake features a dense, velvety crumb and silky Swiss meringue buttercream designed for achieving the iconic, sharp-edged look of animated desserts. It is a bold, citrusy masterpiece that balances structural integrity with a high-impact flavor profile.

Ingredients

1 cup (240g) Unsalted Butter, softened
2 cups (400g) Caster or Granulated Sugar
4 Large Eggs
2.5 cups (370g) Plain Flour
3/4 cup Milk
1/4 cup Fresh Lemon Juice
1 tbsp Lemon Zest
1 tbsp Lemon Extract
2.5 tsp Baking Powder
1 pinch Salt
4 Large Egg Whites (for buttercream)
1.5 cups Granulated Sugar (for buttercream)
1.5 cups Unsalted Butter, softened (for buttercream)
1 tsp Vanilla Extract

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Instructions

Cream the softened butter and sugar together in a stand mixer until the mixture is pale and light.
Add the eggs one at a time, beating thoroughly after each addition to ensure a proper emulsion.
Fold in the lemon zest and lemon extract until evenly distributed.
Sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, alternating with the milk and lemon juice blend, beginning and ending with the flour.
Divide the batter into prepared cake pans and bake at 350°F (175°C) until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
Let the cakes cool completely on a wire rack before frosting.
For the buttercream, whisk egg whites and sugar over a pot of simmering water until the sugar is dissolved and the mixture is hot to the touch.
Transfer to a stand mixer and whip on high speed until stiff, glossy peaks form and the bowl feels cool.
Switch to a paddle attachment and add softened butter piece by piece, mixing until the frosting becomes smooth and velvety.

Notes

To achieve the cleanest slices, ensure your cake layers are completely cold before frosting, and consider a short stint in the freezer after the crumb coat. When mixing the buttercream, if the mixture looks curdled after adding the butter, continue beating at medium-high speed; it will eventually emulsify into a silky consistency.

Prep Time: 30 mins
Cook Time: 35 mins
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American