Ingredients
Cake
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3 cups sifted all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
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1 tablespoon baking powder
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3/4 teaspoon salt
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1 cup milk, at room temperature
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2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
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1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
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2 cups granulated sugar
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4 large eggs, at room temperature
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2 teaspoons finely grated lemon zest
Frosting
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1/2 pound unsalted butter, softened
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1 large egg yolk (optional)
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1 pound confectioners' sugar
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1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons heavy cream
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1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
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Pinch of salt
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1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
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1 1/2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
Directions
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Preheat the oven to 350°. Butter two 9-by-2-inch round cake pans and line with parchment paper; butter and dust with flour. In a bowl, mix the 3 cups of flour, baking powder, and salt. In a cup, mix the milk with the vanilla.
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In a standing mixer fitted with the paddle, beat the butter at medium speed until light and creamy. Add the sugar and beat until fluffy, 4 minutes. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, scraping down the bowl. Beat in the dry ingredients in 3 batches, alternating with the milk mixture and scraping down the bowl. Beat in the grated lemon zest.
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Scrape the batter into the pans. Bake in the lower third of the oven for about 35 minutes, until springy. Let cool for 15 minutes, then run a knife around the edges and invert onto a rack. Peel off the paper, turn the cakes upright and cool completely.
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In a standing mixer fitted with the whisk, beat the butter and egg yolk at medium-high speed until creamy. Beat in the sugar at low speed. Beat in the cream, vanilla and salt, then beat at medium-high speed until fluffy, 3 minutes longer. Beat in the lemon zest and juice.
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Spread 1 cup of frosting over a cake layer and top with the second layer; frost the top and sides. Let stand 1 hour; serve.