Description
A bright and tender 9×13 snack cake featuring a soft lemon-scented crumb, crunchy poppy seeds, and a luxurious cream cheese frosting swirled with homemade lemon curd. It’s a perfect balance of tart citrus and sweet creaminess, ideal for any afternoon gathering.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup cake flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons poppy seeds
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon zest
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 3 large eggs
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup sugar (for curd)
- 3 large egg yolks
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest (for curd)
- 1/3 cup lemon juice (for curd)
- 4 tablespoons butter, sliced
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, whisk together the sugar, egg yolks, and cornstarch until smooth, then whisk in lemon zest and juice.
- Cook over medium heat, whisking constantly until thickened into a pudding-like consistency, then stir in sliced butter and chill in the refrigerator.
- Preheat oven to 350F and grease a 9×13 baking dish lined with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cake flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and poppy seeds.
- In a large bowl, rub the lemon zest into the granulated sugar with your fingertips until fragrant, then whisk in the oil, melted butter, eggs, lemon juice, and vanilla.
- Combine the milk and sour cream, then alternate adding the dry flour mixture and the milk mixture to the wet ingredients, whisking until just combined.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean; allow the cake to cool completely.
- Beat the room-temperature cream cheese and butter until smooth, then gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla to make the frosting.
- Spread the frosting over the cooled cake, dollop with chilled lemon curd, and use a butter knife to gently swirl the curd into the frosting.
Notes
To ensure the most vibrant citrus flavor, rub the lemon zest into the granulated sugar until it becomes fragrant and moist before adding other wet ingredients. This releases the natural oils and creates a deeper citrus profile throughout the entire crumb.
- Prep Time: 30 mins
- Cook Time: 35 mins
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American