Description
Classic lemon cake delights with zesty citrus notes and moist crumb, showcasing Mediterranean baking traditions. Bakers can easily master this refreshing dessert that invites culinary exploration and brings sunshine to the table.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 large eggs (200g)
- 200g (7 oz) all-purpose flour
- 200g (7 oz) granulated sugar
- 130g (4.6 oz) melted butter
- 1 tsp (3g) baking powder
- Zest from 2 lemons
- 70g (2.5 oz) heavy cream
- Juice from 1 lemon
- 30g (1 oz) granulated sugar
- 30g (1 oz) water
- Juice from 1 lemon
Instructions
- Oven Preparation: Calibrate the oven to 165°C (330°F), ensuring the rack rests centrally for uniform heat circulation.
- Batter Foundation: Vigorously whip granulated sugar, whole eggs, and lemon zest in a spacious mixing vessel for 2 minutes until the mixture achieves a pale, frothy transformation.
- Liquid Integration: Incorporate melted butter, heavy cream, and lemon juice into the egg mixture, whisking for an additional minute to create a seamless, silky emulsion.
- Dry Ingredient Fusion: Gently fold sifted flour and baking powder into the liquid base, maintaining a delicate texture while eliminating any flour clusters.
- Pan Arrangement: Meticulously transfer the velvety batter into a pre-prepared loaf pan, either greased and floured or lined with parchment, optionally creating a butter line through the center for enhanced golden crust.
- Baking Process: Slide the pan into the preheated oven and bake for 50-55 minutes, verifying doneness by inserting a knife that emerges completely clean.
- Syrup Application: Concurrently prepare the syrup in a compact saucepan, bringing to a quick boil and reducing slightly, then immediately brush over the freshly baked cake while both cake and syrup remain hot.
- Cooling and Resting: Position the cake on a cooling rack, allowing it to absorb the syrup for 20 minutes, then wrap warmly in plastic to seal in moisture.
- Flavor Development: Let the cake rest overnight to amplify its flavor profile and texture, ensuring a more refined culinary experience.
Notes
- Precise Oven Placement: Center rack ensures uniform heat distribution, preventing uneven baking and promoting a consistent golden crust.
- Whipping Technique Matters: Blend sugar, eggs, and zest vigorously for 2 minutes to create a light, airy base that guarantees a soft, tender cake texture.
- Moisture Preservation Trick: Wrap the cake while warm in plastic wrap to seal in natural moisture, enhancing its softness and preventing dryness.
- Flavor Enhancement Tip: Let the cake rest overnight to allow syrup absorption and develop deeper, more complex lemon notes, transforming a good cake into an exceptional dessert.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 9
- Calories: 305
- Sugar: 36g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 43g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 105mg