Description
A light and zesty three-layer cake bursting with fresh strawberry buttercream, bright lemon flavor, and topped with fresh strawberries and lemon slices. Moist, tender, and ideal for spring celebrations or summer gatherings.
Ingredients
Lemon Cake Layers:
340 g all-purpose flour
2 Tbsp cornstarch
¾ tsp baking powder
¾ tsp baking soda
¾ tsp salt
300 g granulated sugar
Zest of 1 large or 2 small lemons
180 g unsalted butter, room temperature
4 large eggs, room temperature
240 g sour cream, room temperature
60 g vegetable oil (e.g. canola)
2 Tbsp lemon juice
2 tsp vanilla extract
Strawberry Buttercream:
400 g unsalted butter, room temperature
660 g powdered sugar
2 Tbsp freeze-dried strawberry powder
2 tsp vanilla extract
2–3 Tbsp whole milk, room temperature
Decoration:
Fresh strawberries
Lemon slices
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 170 °C (340 °F). Line three 8-inch pans with parchment.
- Whisk together flour, cornstarch, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Rub sugar and lemon zest together. Add butter and beat for 3 minutes until fluffy.
- Add eggs two at a time, mixing until incorporated.
- Add half dry mix, then sour cream, oil, lemon juice, and vanilla. Add remaining dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
- Divide batter among pans and bake for 20–23 minutes. Cool in pans for 10 minutes, then on wire racks.
- For buttercream, sift sugar and strawberry powder. Beat butter until smooth. Gradually add sugar mix, vanilla, and milk until creamy. Beat 2 more minutes to smooth.
- Layer and fill the cake with buttercream. Apply crumb coat and chill 20 minutes. Apply final coat and decorate with fresh fruit.
Notes
- Use gluten-free flour blend for GF option.
- Add orange zest for a citrus twist.
- Add lavender essence to frosting for a floral note.
- Convert into cupcakes for portable treats.
- Use plant-based butter and milk for dairy-free buttercream.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 23 minutes per layer
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 540
- Sugar: 48g
- Sodium: 210mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 17g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 68g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 115mg