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Lemon Birthday Cake

Lemon Birthday Cake Recipe

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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 12 servings
Calories: 670
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
  • 4 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 tbsp lemon zest
  • 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
  • 1 cup buttermilk, room temperature
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened (for frosting)
  • 4 cups powdered sugar
  • 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice (for frosting)
  • 2 tbsp lemon zest (for frosting)
  • Pinch salt (for frosting)

Method
 

  1. Heat oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare two 8-inch cake pans. Beat the butter and sugar until pale and fluffy, about 3 to 4 minutes.
  2. Add eggs one at a time, then mix in lemon zest and vanilla.
  3. Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl.
  4. On low speed, alternate adding the flour mixture and the buttermilk plus lemon juice to the batter, starting and ending with flour, mixing just until combined.
  5. Divide batter between pans and bake 28 to 32 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely.
  6. Beat butter for frosting, then gradually mix in powdered sugar, lemon juice, lemon zest, and salt until fluffy.
  7. Frost the cooled layers, slice, and serve.

Notes

The cake layers need to cool fully before frosting, which takes about an hour at room temperature. You can speed it up by putting the pans in the fridge for 30 minutes after the 10-minute rest. Store leftovers covered in the fridge for up to 5 days.