Step into spring with a sunny citrus dessert! Lemon pie lovers will delight in the light and fluffy lemon cake layers, made even better thanks to the cake’s tangy lemon curd filling.
In case your mouth wasn’t watering already, the entire confection is swirled and smothered with cloud-like meringue frosting. Fresh slices of nearly neon-hued citrus fruit become simple, natural embellishments for this cheerful cake. Each light bite is literally bursting with flavour, making it an extra special treat for a Mother’s Day brunch, an extra special tea or a spring birthday treat.
Looking for more spring sweets inspiration? Try these 50 Stunning Mother’s Day Desserts.
ingredients
Cake
Meringue
Assembly
directions
Be sure to allow time for the lemon curd to thicken (at least 4 hours, or overnight)
Prepare a double-batch of Lemon Curd and allow to thicken for at least 4 hours or overnight. Save the egg whites for the meringue.
For the cake, preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease and flour three 8-inch cake pans and line the bottoms with parchment paper.
In the bowl of a stand mixer, mix the sugar and lemon zest. Rub them together with your fingertips until fragrant. Sift in the flour, baking powder and salt into the bowl with the lemon sugar. Using the paddle attachment, beat the ingredients on low speed until just combined. Add the butter and mix on medium speed until evenly distributed. Add the lemon juice, vanilla and about half of the milk, and mix until the dry ingredients are moistened, about 1 minute. Stop the mixer and scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl. To keep the cake batter from getting too lumpy, add the liquid ingredients slowly and take care to scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl often. Do not be tempted to over-mix if a few lumps remain in the batter before baking.
Whisk the eggs into the remaining milk mixture and stir to combine. With the mixer running on medium speed, add the egg mixture in three additions, mixing for about 15 seconds after each addition and stopping the mixer between additions to scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl.
Evenly divide the batter among the prepared pans. Bake for 20 to 22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the centre of each cake comes out clean. Let the cakes cool on a wire rack for 10 to 15 minutes before removing from the pans. Allow the cakes to cool completely before assembling.
For the meringue, put the reserved egg whites and sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer. Briefly whisk them together by hand until just combined. In a medium saucepan, bring an inch or two of water to a simmer over medium-low heat. Place the mixer bowl on top of the saucepan to create a double boiler (be sure the bottom of the bowl does not touch the water). Heat the mixture, whisking occasionally, until it registers 160°F on a candy thermometer.
Carefully place the bowl back on the stand mixer and fit the mixer with the whisk attachment. Beat the egg white mixture on high speed until glossy, medium-stiff peaks form, 8 to 10 minutes. Add the vanilla and mix until combined. Use immediately.
For assembly, place one layer of cake on a cake board or serving dish. Fill a piping bag fitted with a medium round piping tip with a portion of the meringue. Pipe a ring of meringue around the top edge of the cake. Fill the centre of the meringue “dam” with half of the lemon curd. Place the second layer of cake on top and repeat. Place the final layer cake, bottom-side-up, on the top. Fill in any gaps between the layers of cake with the meringue right away to keep the curd from escaping.
Frost the cake with the remaining meringue. Use an offset spatula or the back of a spoon to give it a rustic, swirly finish.
Cut away the skin/pith of the citrus fruit and slice into rounds (about ¼-inch thick). Place the fruit slices on top the cake and serve. Cake may be stored in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 days.