Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Lemon Cream Cake


As you can see by the candles, this is a birthday cake :)
It's a buttermilk sponge cake with a lemon cream icing using mascarpone cheese.
I made this cake last summer using regular cream cheese and it works all the same way, but the sweet creaminess of the mascarpone compliments the sourness of the lemon juice very nicely.


It was my partner's birthday this week and I decided to make him this cake. He's had it before and I remember him liking it a lot so I thought it was a good choice.

Sadly I was looking forward to a lengthier week of cake and a cup of tea after, but the cake was a little too popular to last even a couple of days.

This has easily become one of my favorite cakes in the word, It's the perfect balance of lemon and sweetness and is the perfect cake for a summer afternoon high tea.



For the cake:
  • 2 1/4 cups fine cake flour
  • 1 1/4 tablespoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 1/4 buttermilk
  • 4 large egg whites
  • 1 1/3 cups white sugar
  • zest of 1 lemon
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter (room temperature)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract


Pre-heat oven to 350F.

Begin by sifting the flour, baking powder and salt into a bowl.


In another bowl, beat the buttermilk and egg whites with an electric whisk until it forms soft peaks.

In another bowl, rub together the sugar and lemon zest and whisk in the butter and vanilla extract until light and fluffy.



Gradually add half of the flour while whisking with an electric mixer.Then slowly add the egg whites and mix again.

Add the rest of the flour, continuing to mix well until you're left with a smooth batter.



Divide the cake batter into two 9 inch round cake pans lined with parchment paper.

(I used spring form pans which makes it easier to remove the cakes)


Bake at the top of the oven for 30-35 minutes.


When the cakes are done, let them cool in their cake pans a little before transferring to a cooling rack.




For the Lemon Cream:


  • 1 tub of soft mascarpone cheese (8 oz)
  • 2 cups confectioners sugar
  • 5 teaspoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 1 cup heavy cream

When the cakes have cooled fully you can begin to make the lemon cream.

Whip the cream with an electric whisk until it forms high stiff peaks. Add the mascarpone and lemon juice to the cream and whisk. Then slowly add in the confectioners sugar, whisking well until smooth.

Begin to assemble the cake by placing one of the cakes on a serving plate. Spread the lemon cream to cover the top of the cake.

Then carefully place the other cake on top of the lemon cream covered cake and cover them all over with the rest of the lemon cream.


Decorate the cake as you like! I used sliced lemons and blueberries and lightly dusted confectioners sugar over the cake.

Chill the cake in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours before serving to enable the lemon cream to set.



18 comments:

  1. It looks very pretty and homespun, just the way B'Day cakes should look IMO. Simple but elegant. And with those ingredients, I bet quite tasty as well! TY for the pics

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  2. lemon cream and blueberry- hhmmm, always a terrific combination.

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  3. What a pretty cake. I love the way you decorated it ~ looks just lovely. I've tried mascarpone in a frosting and it was delicious, but looked horrible. I think I overbeat it or something. What's your secret to such a smooth frosting?

    Thanks for stopping by my blog, btw. I'm going to go peek around yours now too. : )

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  4. Thank you :)

    I don't really think I have a secret for the frosting. Just make sure the heavy cream is well whisked first and only very lightly whisk briefly when you put the mascarpone in!

    Thanks for stopping by :)

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  5. You decorated it beautifully.

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  6. there's no question that this would be a tasty cake, but kudos to you for going the extra mile and decorating it so elegantly! it's gorgeous!

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  7. I love any kind of lemon dessert - this looks really delicious and pretty too.

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  8. WOW this is so pretty! mmm...i'm hungry now, you're blog is so pretty! i'll have to try all these recipes.

    and thanks for the sweet comment on my guest blog post on the English Muse!

    xoxo,
    Micaela

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  9. What a beautiful looking cake! I love anything lemony, I think it's my favourite flavour.

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  10. Hi there I love buttermilk cakes myself and this recipe sure looks like a keeper..thanks :)

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  11. I love the crumb on this cake! Perfect with my coffee this morning...

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  12. Lemon, blueberry and creamy cheeses do go so well together don't they? The cake looks awesome, and delicious!

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  13. I have yet to try out a lemon cream cake! With warm weather I always long for lemon.

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  14. I adore lemon desserts! This birthday cake looks amazing!

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  15. lemons and blueberries are the best. great minds must think alike! thanks for stopping by.

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  16. Wow! This looks super delicious, I know what I want for my next birthday...

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  17. Looks Delicious & Lovely photos!!! :)

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