There are some recipes that are just classics – they’re not particularly fancy or complicated, but delicious nonetheless. I think the lemon cake recipe from Barefoot Contessa Parties falls into this category. I make this cake every year during meyer lemon season, and it’s definitely the best lemon cake I’ve ever had.
The recipe is pretty straightforward, but what elevates this cake to the next level is the use of lemon syrup. Equal parts of lemon juice and sugar are cooked together, and then drizzled over the warm cake. The syrup soaks into the cake and adds an extra layer of lemon flavor and additional moisture.
I made two changes to the recipe. The obvious change is the use of meyer lemons in lieu of regular lemons. In addition, I added some zest from a buddha’s hand citron to the batter. I didn’t notice a major difference in the flavor of the cake from the citron, it just added to the overall citrus flavor.
My only caveat with this recipe is to make sure you butter and flour your pans well, and don’t skip the parchment lining on the pans. The first time I made this I decided to forgo the parchment, which was not a good idea!
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
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71 comments:
I have a friend who has promised me a bag full of lemons from her backyard. I'm bookmarking this in case she comes through! Love the new look!
My grandmother makes this cake and I love it! I also love your new layout.
Hey Sara...first time to ur blog.The cake looks wonderful.I made some lemon cake too,will try ur method the next time.
What a lovely and refreshing cake! It does look wonderfully moist. I love the tart of the lemon with the sweetness of the cake. Scrumptious!
I have to make this soon. I'm going on vacation and may not be able to drop by and comment.
Sara- This is one of my favorites also. I make it often. I bet using Meyer lemons might take it to a different level. Wish I had access to them here.
That looks delicious, Sara! I love lemon cake and this one sounds especially good.
Like Donna I really wish I could find meyer lemons in Canada. I've tasted them once and love the flavour. The cake looks delicious - there's nothing like a piece of pound cake and a cup of coffee!!
Aww I wish we had Meyer lemons here! I agree that a syrup really elevates a cake and creates such a moreish moistness :)
I love meyer lemons. This looks incredible.
Sara, I love meyer lemon, aren't we lucky to live here in CA, it grows almost everywhere (well, at least in my neighborhood)
I bet the cake tastes heavenly!
Cheers,
Elra
I'm going to have to look for Meyer lemons. This cake looks amazing.
The cake looks beautiful - how delicious with Meyer lemon!
I love the new site layout Sara! Clean, simple and very easy to navigate! Well done! Love lemon cake and this one would be no exception.
YUM! Now that spring is on it's way, I've been craving anything with lemon in it. This looks mouthwatering!
What a gorgeous cake. Lemon desserts rock!
Well, first of all, your cake looks just beautiful...so simple and elegant. It also looks soooo delicious! I love lemon; it's always nice to eat sinful treats that taste refreshing (makes you feel less guilty). Last but not least, I love the idea of the syrup soaking into the warm loaf!! I can't wait to try this one!
Wow the cake looks so beautiful and delicious.
It looks so pretty, especially with the white glaze. I think I am going to have to try this. :)
That's one pretty cake Sara, just gorgeous! I love simple lemon cakes & yes, syrup adds a new life to it! YUM!!
I've heard so many good things about this cake! PS I like the new look :)
Sara I love making this in the springtime, as a present to the fact that spring is here.
Your glaze came out perfectly.
Ohh, looks so delicious! I still can't find meyer lemons at my local store, but I'm going to keep my eyes peeled!
Sara looks so delicious I just love meyer lemons. Love your new look. Thanks for checking out my blog.
You have me craving lemon cake! Your pictures are beautiful, everything looks perfect.
That cake looks amazing and I actually know exactly where to get a bag full of Meyer Lemons, hurray!
This looks delicious! I wish I could find Meyer Lemons around here.
I've been curious about the buddha's hand citron. I've only had it infused in vodka. I've never baked with it. So it didn't seem to add more oomph? I wonder if it's better used zested as a garnish, just before serving? Maybe heat mutes the fragrance and flavor?
This looks super moist! I just bought some meyer lemons (finally found some at TJs) so maybe I'll make this cake.
Sara, this is one of my favorites. Yours looks lip smackingly wonderful!!
Oh how I adore this recipe. The lemon cake is so divine!!
your version looks so awesome... :)
So funny how we keep coming upon Meyer lemon recipes and haven't made anything yet. Any baked good, this one included, always looks tempting. Maybe your recipe should be our first attempt!
That's one of my favorite cakes! Yours looks delightfully good!
Cheers,
Rosa
I made this recipe and love it! Your cake looks great!
All - If you're near a Trader Joe's, check to see if they have any meyer lemons. I've seen them there in packs of four.
Elra - Everyone in my neighborhood has a meyer lemon tree too.
Carolyn - The recipe calls for 1/3 cup of lemon zest, and the amount of buddha's hand zest I used was less than 2 tablespoons of the total. So I wasn't expecting it to add a huge amount of unique flavor, rather to contribute to the overall citrus effect. I usually candy my buddha's hand, which involves lots of boiling, and I don't think the cooking process really diminishes the flavor.
This cake looks wonderfully moist and delectable...thanks for the tip about Trader Joe's I will definitely check there the next time I go there :-)
I totally agree- this cake is fabulous. Would love to try it with the Meyer lemons if the grocers in my area had ever heard of such a thing! :)
Sorry I never got back to you. Time just got away from me. I love your new design. Very clean and fresh-looking.
wow! gorgeous cake! sounds yummy and refreshing!
mmmm. i love all things lemon and this cake is one of them. gorgeous!
I've never been fond of lemon in my desserts, but I think this cake might change my mind... looks delectable!
Hi Sarah
Congratulations on the Blog`s new face, really like it.
Tremendous recipe this one x
*drools a little*
sounds amazing!
Yum- love Ina. Very nice picture as well ;)Enjoy your weekend!!
Nothing better than a lemon loaf cake. I remember my mom making them often. Your's looks great!
Sara,
Finally! For some reason I have not be able to post a comment on your blog. I've been reading and enjoying it although not able to tell you so.
We ought to have a holiday for whoever invented parchment. Such wonderful stuff.
I love lemon cake - and Ina is the best!
Wish we had Meyer lemons here though, they sound really good.
I can get meyer lemons here at my TJ's and have been looking for nice ways to use them. This cake will work!
The cake looks delicious! Love lemon! And I love the new look to your blog!
Cheers!
Jamie
so moist, and made even more decadent with that phenomenally-thick glaze. deliciously done. :)
I am so in love with Meyer lemons and this sounds like the perfect one for me to make next.
Sara, you are a girl after my own heart. I just love lemon and your pound cake looks wonderful!
I've never heard of meyer lemons but this looks gorgeous! I'm going to search them out!
Love all that wonderful glaze, yum!
~ingrid
I love Ina's reicipes! INfact, I posted one just today :)
Your header looks great!
Sara, that looks like it belongs on a magazine cover...and in my belly :D. So good. I looove lemony flavors, especially in cakes. The glaze looks delicious!
By the way, I saw on your profile that you're in SF!! I am so jealous, I lived in the Bay Area for a brief period during my childhood and fell in looove :). I left my heart in SF, it's true :D.
Wow, with your additional tweaks, I bet the lemon flavor was unrivaled! Esp w/buddha's citron zest and Meyer lemon.
I love lemon cake and yours looks really delicious. I can almost taste it from here. :)
I have really wanted to make one of these. It looks delicious!
I have tons of lemons left on my tree to use up so I'll be making this cake soon. Thanks
This looks beautiful!!!!!
Instead of making it with oranges and tangerines like I just did, I want to make it with lemons and EAT IT NOW!
This looks delish!
That lemon cake looks good. I like the icing dripping down the sides.
I love Ina's lemon cakes. I have made her lemon yogurt cake several times and we love it - I will have to try these as well!
Wowee - it looks so moist and delicious!
I love lemon cake! This looks simple and tasty. I should keep it in mind when the meyer lemons start showing up in the markets.
I have a recipe for gluten free cup cakes, and when I see meyer lemons I will make them. The last time I used them was last year in Meyercello...and it turned out yummy!
Yum this sounds so good!! i LOVE lemons!!! Thanks for the recipe!
I made a few kinds of breads this weekend and the only way to go is to line the bottom with parchment paper. So easy to unmold and I don't need to piece together my loaves with frosting.
holy cannoli, batman! this looks FANTASTIC!
That looks heavenly! Great post! And holy cow, your profile picture with Michael Chiarello - that is REALLY cool!
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