Lemon Layer Cake

Lemon Layer Cake

This lemon layer cake is bursting with real lemon flavor! Three layers of light, fluffy lemon cake are filled and frosted with lemon cream cheese frosting. You will fall in love with this perfectly vibrant and delicious cake!

Ingredients

Lemon cake

• 2 1/2 cups (325g) all-purpose flour (measured properly)

• 1 3/4 tsp baking powder

• 1/4 tsp baking soda

• 1/2 tsp salt

• 1/2 cup (112g) unsalted butter, room temperature

• 1/2 cup (120ml) vegetable oil

• 1 1/2 cups (310g) sugar

• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

• 4 large eggs

• 3/4 cup (180ml) milk

• 1/2 cup (120ml) fresh lemon juice

• 2 tbsp fresh lemon zest

Lemon cream cheese frosting

• 16 oz (452g) cream cheese, room temperature

• 3/4 cup (172g) unsalted butter, room temperature

• 10 cups (1150g) powdered sugar

• 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice

• 1 tbsp fresh lemon zest

Instructions

For the cake

• Prepare three 8-inch cake pans with parchment paper circles in the bottom and grease the sides. Preheat oven to 350°F (176°C).

• Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a medium sized bowl and set aside.

• Add the butter, oil, sugar and vanilla extract to a large mixer bowl and beat together until light in color and fluffy, about 1 1/2 to 2 minutes. Do not skimp on the creaming time.

• Add the eggs one at a time, mixing until mostly combined after each. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed to be sure all ingredients are well incorporated.

• Add half of the dry ingredients to the batter and mix until mostly combined. Add the milk, lemon juice, and lemon zest and mix until well combined. Add the remaining dry ingredients and mix until well combined and smooth. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed to be sure all ingredients are well incorporated. Do not over mix the batter.

• Divide the batter evenly between the cakes pans and bake for 22-25 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out with a few crumbs.

• Remove the cakes from the oven and allow to cool for about 2-3 minutes, then remove to cooling racks to cool completely.

To make the lemon cream cheese frosting

• To make the frosting, add the cream cheese and butter to a large mixer bowl and beat until well combined and smooth.

• Add about half of the powdered sugar and mix until well combined and smooth.

• Add the lemon juice and zest and mix until well combined.

• Add the remaining powdered sugar and mix until well combined and smooth. Add more or less powdered sugar, as desired for consistency purposes.

• To put the cake together, use a large serrated knife to remove the domes from the top of the cakes so that they’re flat, if needed.

• Place the first cake on a serving plate or a cardboard cake round.

• Spread about 1 cup of frosting evenly on top of the cake.

• Add the second layer of cake and another cup of frosting.

• Top the cake with the remaining layer and frost the outside of the cake. Refer to my tutorial for frosting a smooth cake, if needed.

• Add swirls of frosting to the top of the cake and finish it off with some lemon slices.

• Refrigerate the cake until ready to serve. Cake is best served cool, but not cold.