Lemon Layer Cake with Lemon Curd and Lemon Buttercream

Every bite of this Lemon Layer Cake with Lemon Curd and Lemon Buttercream bursts with lemon flavor. A wonderfully moist lemon cake is layered with velvety smooth lemon curd and frosted with fresh lemon buttercream.

With its’ luscious lemon flavor, it is by far the best lemon cake I’ve ever had.

I wanted to create a cake that you guys like as much as my Easy Strawberry Cake. It is the cake that you make for birthdays, Mother’s Day, and other celebrations time and again. I enjoy reading your comments on how much you like that cake. Hopefully, you’ll enjoy this Lemon Layer Cake with Lemon Curd and Lemon Buttercream just as much.

You may also like these lemon cake recipes

Lemon Layer Cake with Lemon Curd and Lemon Buttercream

1. The cake is soft and fluffy. Even though it’s a moist cake, the layers are easy to work with. I spread the batter evenly in the cake pan and did not have to trim it. Of course, trimming the hump is not necessary, but to get that flat-top bakery looking cake you may want to.
2. This is a beautiful cake to serve at a party.
3. I filled the layers with lemon curd for a nice change of texture than the frosting. You can, if you prefer, use the frosting between the layers.
4. The lemon buttercream is sturdy enough to decorate with. I chose to use fresh flowers. I wrapped the stem with aluminum foil before arranging them in the cake.
5. As well, you can make two layers instead of three. I prefer three layer cakes instead of two.
6. I used an 8-inch cake pan. If you use a 9-inch pan, your layers will be thin and I recommend double the cake batter recipe. Bake 30 to 35 or until pick inserted in center of the layer comes out clean.

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1. 8-inch round cake pans
2. Offset Frosting Spatula
3. Classic stainless saucepan

More layer cakes around the web

1. Lemon Dream Cake
2. Lemonade Layer Cake
3. Lemon Coconut Banana Cake

You can see this recipe and more at Weekend Potluck. and Meal Plan Monday.

Lemon Layer Cake with Lemon Curd and Lemon Buttercream

Every bite of the delightful Lemon Layer Cake with Lemon Curd and Lemon Buttercream bursts with lemon flavor! 

Author: Paula

4.87 from 15 votes

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Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 24 minutes

Total Time: 44 minutes

Servings: 14 slices

Ingredients

LEMON CAKE

• 2 and ½ cups all-purpose flour sifted first then spoon & leveled
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ¾ cup butter unsalted, at room temperature
• 1 and ¾ cups granulated sugar
• 5 large egg whites at room temperature
• ½ cup sour cream
• ¾ cup whole milk
• 1 tablespoon lemon extract or vanilla extract
• ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest
• 3 to 4 drops lemon food coloring if desired)

LEMON CURD FILLING

• 1 tablespoon lemon zest
• ½ cup fresh lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 6 tablespoon butter
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• 4 egg yolks beaten

LEMON BUTTERCREAM FROSTING

• 4 cups confectioners' sugar
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest
• ½ cup butter softened
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons milk
• chopped nuts optional

Instructions

Cake

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F . Grease and flour three 8-inch round baking pans.
• Mix together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside. 
• Using a handheld or stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, beat the butter on high speed until smooth and creamy – about 1 minute. Add the sugar and beat on high speed for 2 minutes until creamed together. Scrape down the sides and up the bottom of the bowl with a rubber spatula as needed. 
• Add the egg whites. Beat on high speed until combined, about 2 minutes. Then beat in the sour cream, lemon extract, lemon juice, lemon zest, and food coloring. Scrape down the sides and up the bottom of the bowl as needed. With the mixer on low speed, add the dry ingredients until just incorporated. With the mixer still running on low, slowly pour in the milk until combined.
• Do not overmix. The batter will be slightly thick.
• Pour batter into prepared pans. Bake in the preheated oven for 24 to 26 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
• Allow to cool in pans on wire racks for 10 minutes. Then invert onto wire racks to cool completely.

Filling

• In a medium saucepan, mix together 1 tablespoon lemon zest, 1/2 cup lemon juice, and 1 tablespoon cornstarch until smooth.
• Mix in 6 tablespoons butter and 3/4 cup sugar. Bring mixture to boil over medium heat. Boil for one minute, stirring constantly.
• In a small bowl, beat egg yolks until smooth. Whisk in a small amount of the hot lemon mixture. Pour the egg mixture into the saucepan, beating the hot lemon mixture rapidly.
• Reduce heat to low. Cook for 5 minutes or until thick, stir constantly (do not to boil).
• Pour mixture into medium bowl. Press plastic wrap onto surface to keep skin from forming on the top as it cools.
• Cool to room temperature then refrigerate 3 hours. 

Frosting

• In a large bowl, beat confectioners' sugar, 1/2 cup butter, 2 tablespoons lemon juice and 1 teaspoon lemon zest until smooth.
• Beat in milk, and increase speed and continue to beat until light and fluffy.

To assemble

• Wait until the cake is completely cool before frosting. For a more professional cake, remove the domes from the tops of the cake layers with a cake leveler or large serrated knife. Place one layer of cake on a serving plate. Spread with 1/2 of the lemon filling. Top with another layer, and spread with 1/2 cup lemon filling. Repeat with the next layer of cake and frosting, then top the cake with the final layer of cake (if you have 3 layers). Frost the outside of the cake. An offset spatula makes it really easy to get an even layer.
• Press on final cake layer, and frost top and sides of cake with frosting.
• Refrigerate cake until serving time.

Nutrition

Calories: 446kcal | Carbohydrates: 62g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Cholesterol: 140mg | Sodium: 349mg | Potassium: 129mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 46g | Vitamin A: 701IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 62mg | Iron: 1mg

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