Sarah’s Lemon Cake Recipe π
Overview:
Sarah’s Lemon Cake is a delightful dessert that perfectly balances the zesty tang of lemons with the sweetness of sugar, creating a heavenly treat that’s perfect for any occasion. With a prep time of just 10 minutes and a total cook time of 1 hour and 30 minutes, this recipe yields a moist and flavorful cake that will have everyone asking for seconds!
- Preparation Time: 10 minutes
- Cooking Time: 1 hour and 30 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour and 40 minutes
- Serves: Not specified
Ingredients:
- 1 lemon
- 200g caster sugar
- 250g self-raising flour
- 1 pinch of salt
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 250g unsalted butter
- 4 eggs
- 150g caster sugar (for syrup)
Nutrition Facts (Per Serving):
- Calories: 766.7
- Fat: 37.5g
- Saturated Fat: 22.5g
- Cholesterol: 213.6mg
- Sodium: 140.2mg
- Carbohydrates: 100g
- Fiber: 1.7g
- Sugar: 59g
- Protein: 10.1g
Instructions:
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Preheat Your Oven: Preheat your oven to 160Β°C (320Β°F) to ensure it’s nice and hot when you’re ready to bake the cake.
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Prepare Cake Tin: Line an 18cm round cake tin with baking paper, ensuring it covers the bottom and sides to prevent sticking.
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Zest and Juice the Lemon: Using a zester or grater, zest the lemon to extract its fragrant outer layer. Then, juice the lemon to capture its tangy flavor.
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Blend Lemon Zest with Sugar: In a food processor, combine the lemon zest with 200g of caster sugar. Pulse until the zest is finely blended with the sugar, releasing its aromatic oils.
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Prepare Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, sift together the self-raising flour, salt, and baking powder, ensuring they’re well combined and free of lumps.
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Add Wet Ingredients: Into the food processor containing the lemon-sugar mixture, add the unsalted butter (softened) and eggs. Blend until you achieve a smooth and creamy consistency.
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Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the sifted dry ingredients to the food processor, pulsing gently until everything is incorporated and the batter is smooth.
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Transfer to Cake Tin: Pour the cake batter into the prepared cake tin, spreading it evenly with a spatula to ensure it bakes evenly.
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Bake: Place the cake tin in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
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Prepare Lemon Syrup: While the cake is baking, prepare the lemon syrup by mixing 150g of caster sugar with the freshly squeezed lemon juice. Stir until the sugar is dissolved, creating a sweet and tangy syrup.
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Apply Syrup: Once the cake is baked, remove it from the oven and immediately turn it out onto a serving dish. While it’s still hot, spoon the lemon syrup evenly over the top, allowing it to soak into the cake, infusing it with flavor and moisture.
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Cool and Serve: Allow the cake to cool slightly before serving. For an indulgent touch, serve each slice with a dollop of thick cream, enhancing the lemony goodness with creamy richness.
Tips:
- For added freshness, consider using organic lemons for both the zest and juice.
- If you prefer a lighter texture, you can substitute some of the caster sugar with powdered sugar when blending with the lemon zest.
- To ensure even baking, rotate the cake tin halfway through the baking time.
- For a decorative touch, garnish the top of the cake with thin slices of lemon or a sprinkle of powdered sugar before serving.
Enjoy the delightful aroma and tantalizing taste of Sarah’s Lemon Cake with friends and family, and watch it disappear in no time!