Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Meyer lemon cake

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!


71 comments:

Apples and Butter said...

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!

Anonymous said...

My grandmother makes this cake and I love it! I also love your new layout.

Nithya Praveen said...

Hey Sara...first time to ur blog.The cake looks wonderful.I made some lemon cake too,will try ur method the next time.

Reeni said...

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!

La Cuisine d'Helene said...

I have to make this soon. I'm going on vacation and may not be able to drop by and comment.

Donna-FFW said...

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.

Anonymous said...

That looks delicious, Sara! I love lemon cake and this one sounds especially good.

Cathy said...

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!!

Anonymous said...

Aww I wish we had Meyer lemons here! I agree that a syrup really elevates a cake and creates such a moreish moistness :)

Pam said...

I love meyer lemons. This looks incredible.

Dewi said...

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

Barbara Bakes said...

I'm going to have to look for Meyer lemons. This cake looks amazing.

Anonymous said...

The cake looks beautiful - how delicious with Meyer lemon!

Helene said...

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.

teresa said...

YUM! Now that spring is on it's way, I've been craving anything with lemon in it. This looks mouthwatering!

Anonymous said...

What a gorgeous cake. Lemon desserts rock!

Elyse said...

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!

Finla said...

Wow the cake looks so beautiful and delicious.

Unknown said...

It looks so pretty, especially with the white glaze. I think I am going to have to try this. :)

Deeba PAB said...

That's one pretty cake Sara, just gorgeous! I love simple lemon cakes & yes, syrup adds a new life to it! YUM!!

stephchows said...

I've heard so many good things about this cake! PS I like the new look :)

vanillasugarblog said...

Sara I love making this in the springtime, as a present to the fact that spring is here.
Your glaze came out perfectly.

Culinary Wannabe said...

Ohh, looks so delicious! I still can't find meyer lemons at my local store, but I'm going to keep my eyes peeled!

Netts Nook said...

Sara looks so delicious I just love meyer lemons. Love your new look. Thanks for checking out my blog.

Katherine Roberts Aucoin said...

You have me craving lemon cake! Your pictures are beautiful, everything looks perfect.

Jennifer said...

That cake looks amazing and I actually know exactly where to get a bag full of Meyer Lemons, hurray!

Erin said...

This looks delicious! I wish I could find Meyer Lemons around here.

Anonymous said...

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?

Anonymous said...

This looks super moist! I just bought some meyer lemons (finally found some at TJs) so maybe I'll make this cake.

Kiezie said...

Sara, this is one of my favorites. Yours looks lip smackingly wonderful!!

Maria said...

Oh how I adore this recipe. The lemon cake is so divine!!

Unknown said...

your version looks so awesome... :)

The Duo Dishes said...

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!

Rosa's Yummy Yums said...

That's one of my favorite cakes! Yours looks delightfully good!

Cheers,

Rosa

The Food Librarian said...

I made this recipe and love it! Your cake looks great!

Sara said...

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.

Usha said...

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 :-)

Katherine said...

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.

Anonymous said...

wow! gorgeous cake! sounds yummy and refreshing!

cindy* said...

mmmm. i love all things lemon and this cake is one of them. gorgeous!

Diana said...

I've never been fond of lemon in my desserts, but I think this cake might change my mind... looks delectable!

Ana Powell said...

Hi Sarah
Congratulations on the Blog`s new face, really like it.
Tremendous recipe this one x

Anonymous said...

*drools a little*
sounds amazing!

Erica said...

Yum- love Ina. Very nice picture as well ;)Enjoy your weekend!!

Suzy said...

Nothing better than a lemon loaf cake. I remember my mom making them often. Your's looks great!

Foodie with Little Thyme! said...

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.

NKP said...

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.

Robin said...

I can get meyer lemons here at my TJ's and have been looking for nice ways to use them. This cake will work!

Anonymous said...

The cake looks delicious! Love lemon! And I love the new look to your blog!

Cheers!
Jamie

grace said...

so moist, and made even more decadent with that phenomenally-thick glaze. deliciously done. :)

Jessica@Foodmayhem said...

I am so in love with Meyer lemons and this sounds like the perfect one for me to make next.

Anonymous said...

Sara, you are a girl after my own heart. I just love lemon and your pound cake looks wonderful!

Alex said...

I've never heard of meyer lemons but this looks gorgeous! I'm going to search them out!

Ingrid_3Bs said...

Love all that wonderful glaze, yum!
~ingrid

veggie belly said...

I love Ina's reicipes! INfact, I posted one just today :)

Your header looks great!

Sophie said...

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.

Passionate Eater said...

Wow, with your additional tweaks, I bet the lemon flavor was unrivaled! Esp w/buddha's citron zest and Meyer lemon.

Gloria Chadwick said...

I love lemon cake and yours looks really delicious. I can almost taste it from here. :)

Anonymous said...

I have really wanted to make one of these. It looks delicious!

The Food Hunter said...

I have tons of lemons left on my tree to use up so I'll be making this cake soon. Thanks

Live.Love.Eat said...

This looks beautiful!!!!!

Anonymous said...

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!

test it comm said...

That lemon cake looks good. I like the icing dripping down the sides.

Colleen said...

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!

Cakelaw said...

Wowee - it looks so moist and delicious!

The Short (dis)Order Cook said...

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.

Chef E said...

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!

Anonymous said...

Yum this sounds so good!! i LOVE lemons!!! Thanks for the recipe!

amycaseycooks said...

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.

Stephanie said...

holy cannoli, batman! this looks FANTASTIC!

Mandy said...

That looks heavenly! Great post! And holy cow, your profile picture with Michael Chiarello - that is REALLY cool!