Strawberry Lemonade Layer Delight (Printable)
Lemon sponge paired with fresh strawberries and tangy lemon cream cheese frosting.
# What You'll Need:
→ Lemon Cake
01 - 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 2 1/2 tsp baking powder
03 - 1/2 tsp baking soda
04 - 1/2 tsp salt
05 - 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
06 - 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
07 - Zest of 2 lemons
08 - 4 large eggs, room temperature
09 - 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
10 - 1 cup buttermilk, room temperature
11 - 1 tsp vanilla extract
→ Strawberry Filling
12 - 2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and diced
13 - 1/3 cup granulated sugar
14 - 2 tsp fresh lemon juice
15 - 1 tbsp cornstarch
16 - 2 tbsp water
→ Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting
17 - 8 oz cream cheese, softened
18 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
19 - 4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
20 - 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
21 - 1 tsp lemon zest
22 - 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
23 - Pinch of salt
# How-To Steps:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and line three 8-inch round cake pans with parchment paper.
02 - In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
03 - In a separate large bowl, beat butter, sugar, and lemon zest until light and fluffy.
04 - Beat in eggs one at a time, then add lemon juice and vanilla.
05 - Alternate adding flour mixture and buttermilk, beginning and ending with flour. Mix until just combined.
06 - Divide batter evenly among prepared pans. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
07 - Cool in pans for 10 minutes, then turn out onto wire racks to cool completely.
08 - In a saucepan, combine strawberries, sugar, and lemon juice. Cook over medium heat until strawberries release juices, about 5 minutes.
09 - Mix cornstarch and water; stir into strawberries. Cook, stirring constantly, until thickened, 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from heat and cool completely.
10 - Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar, then lemon juice, zest, vanilla, and salt. Beat until fluffy.
11 - Place one cake layer on a serving plate. Spread half of the strawberry filling over the top, avoiding the edges. Add a layer of frosting to prevent the filling from seeping out.
12 - Repeat with the second layer, then top with the final cake layer.
13 - Frost the top and sides with remaining lemon cream cheese frosting.
14 - Chill cake for at least 30 minutes before slicing for neat layers.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The combination of tart lemon and sweet fresh strawberries tastes like sunshine on a plate
- People will assume you spent hours on something that actually comes together beautifully with simple techniques
02 -
- Room temperature ingredients are non-negotiable here, cold butter or eggs will give you a dense, heavy cake
- The strawberry filling must be completely cool before assembling or it will melt your frosting and slide right off the cake
03 -
- Grate your lemon zest before juicing the lemons, it is much harder to zest a squeezed lemon
- If your frosting is too soft, refrigerate the bowl for 15 minutes before whipping again to the perfect consistency