Citrus Sponge Cake Recipes

LEMON CAKE - WITH A SECRET FLUFFY LEMON FROSTING

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 180°C/350°F (160°C fan) for 20 minutes before starting the batter (Note 9). Place shelf in the middle of the oven.
• Cake pans: Grease 3 x 20cm / 8" cake pans with butter, then line with parchment / baking paper. (Note 10 more pan sizes) Best to use cake pan without loose base, if you can.
• Whisk flour, baking powder and salt in a large bowl. Set aside.
• Beat eggs for 30 seconds on speed 6 of a Stand Mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, or hand beater.
• With the beater still going, pour the sugar in over 45 seconds.
• Then beat for 7 minutes on speed 8, or until tripled in volume and white.
• Heat Milk-Butter: While egg is beating, place butter and milk in a heatproof jug and microwave 2 minutes on high to melt butter (or use stove). Do not let milk bubble and boil (foam is ok). If you do this ahead, cover and keep hot while beating eggs.
• Gently add flour: When the egg is whipped, scatter 1/3 flour across surface, then beat on Speed 1 for 5 seconds. Add half remaining flour, then mix on Speed 1 for 5 sec. Add remaining flour, then mix on Speed 1 for 5 - 10 sec until the flour is just mixed in. Once you can't see flour, stop straight away.
• Lighten hot milk with some Egg Batter: Pour hot milk, vanilla, lemon juice and zest and oil into the now empty flour bowl. Add about 1 1/2 cups (2 ladles or so) of the Egg Batter into the Milk-Butter (don't need to be 100% accurate with amount). Use a whisk to mix until smooth - you can be vigorous here. Will look foamy.
• Slowly add milk: Turn beater back on Speed 1 then pour the Milk mixture into the Egg Batter over 15 seconds, then turn beater off.
• Scrape and final mix: Scrape down sides and base of bowl. Beat on Speed 1 for 10 seconds - batter should now be smooth and pourable.
• Pour batter into pans.
• Knock out bubbles: Bang each cake pan on the counter 3 times to knock out big bubbles (Note 10 for why)
• Bake 23 minutes or until golden and toothpick inserted into centre comes out clean.
• Remove from oven. Cool in cake pans for 15 minutes, then gently turn out onto cooling racks. If using as layer cakes, cool upside down - slight dome will flatten perfectly. Level cake = neat layers.
• Frost with provided Lemon Frosting, or Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting from this Lemon Blueberry Layer Cake recipe.
• Thickening roux: Place flour and sugar in a large saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring constantly, for 30 seconds.
• Add milk: While whisking constantly, slowly pour the milk in (this ensure it's lump free). As the milk gets hotter, it will start to thicken - stir constantly so the base doesn't catch.
• Thicken roux: Cook until the mixture thickens in a thick, dolloping custard - see video for texture. (Note 13 tip)
• Cool: Remove from heat and scrape into a bowl. Cover with cling wrap, pressing down onto the surface to prevent a skin from forming. Cool completely (20 min counter then 30 min fridge), but do not let it get fridge cold. (Note 14) It will firm into a very thick paste.
• FROSTING - cream butter: Beat butter with either a handheld beater or stand mixer (with whisk attachment) for 3 minutes until it's smooth and changes from yellow to very pale yellow, almost white.
• FROSTING - add roux: While beating on speed 5, add the roux one heaped tablespoon at a time. Take about 1 minute to add it all. Once all added, add lemon zest and juice, then whip for 2 minutes until you can see that it is stiff enough to hold peaks liek whipped cream. Do not whip more than 4 to 5 minutes (this will activate starch and make it sticky).
• Flip a cake layer upside down (for level surface). Spread with 3 - 4mm / 0.12 - 0.16" frosting. Top with another upside cake layer, spread with ore frosting. Cover with final cake layer then use remaining frosting to cover top and sides.

EASY LEMON CAKE (ALL-IN-ONE-LEMON-SPONGE)

Steps:

• Preheat your oven to 160ºC/140ºC fan.Line your baking tins (I use 2 x 20cm round sandwich tins) with baking parchment or reusable baking liners.
• Finely grate the zest of two lemons.
• Sift the self-raising flour (225g) and baking powder (2 tsp) into a large bowl.
• Add the remaining ingredients (4 medium eggs, 225g soft margarine or butter, 225g caster sugar, grated lemon zest and 2 tsp milk) and beat (with an electric mixer on a slow speed or by hand) until combined. Make sure that there are no small lumps of butter/margarine in your mixture. If there are, beat for a little longer until the mixture is smooth.
• Split the mixture equally between the pre-prepared tins. Use the back of a spoon to spread the mixture evenly in the tins.
• Bake for 30-35 minutes. To check if the cake is cooked insert a skewer into the centre and if it comes out clean the cake is ready.
• Leave the cake to cool in the tins for about 10 minutes. Remove them from the tins and then move them to a wire rack to cool completely - Make sure the cake has cooled completely before decorating.

LEMON CHIFFON CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325°., Sift flour, sugar, baking powder and salt together twice; place in another large bowl. In a small bowl, whisk egg yolks, water, oil, lemon zest and vanilla until smooth. Add to flour mixture; beat until well blended., Add cream of tartar to egg whites; with clean beaters, beat on medium speed just until stiff but not dry. Fold a fourth of the whites into batter, then fold in remaining whites. , Gently spoon batter into an ungreased 10-in. tube pan. Cut through batter with a knife to remove air pockets. Bake on lowest oven rack 50-55 minutes or until top springs back when lightly touched. Immediately invert pan; cool completely in pan, about 1 hour., Run a knife around sides and center tube of pan. Remove cake to a serving plate., In a small bowl, combine frosting ingredients; beat until smooth. Spread over cake.

BEST LEMON CAKE RECIPE (LEMON SPONGE CAKE)

Steps:

• Squeeze out the juice of the lemon and get the zest. Set aside. Prepare the cake pans by rubbing with butter then lining with parchment/baking paper. Sift the flour and baking powder into a bowl and set aside. Preheat the oven at a temperature of 150C (fan) or 170C (Conventional oven).
• In a mixing bowl, add the softened butter and sugar. Use an electric mixer to mix till it turns pale (light in color) and is fluffy. This is called the creaming process.
• Break the eggs one at a time into the creamed butter/sugar mix and beat with the mixer till it comes together.Add the lemon juice and zest and whisk till it's combined.
• Add flour/baking powder mix to the batter and use a spatula to mix. When it's come together, use the mixer to mix till smooth (This takes about 30 seconds. Do not overmix).
• Divide the cake batter equally into the two prepared cake pans. Put the pans in the preheated oven and bake for 35 minutes or till a cake tester when inserted comes out clean.
• Bring out the cakes and leave them in the pan for 5 minutes before turning onto a cake rack to cool.
• When cakes are completely cooled, you can then fill and cover with frosting.

LIGHT LEMON SPONGE CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 160C/fan and then Grease or line the cake tin
• In a bowl add the ingredients FOR ONE TIER one by one in the order stated above, mixing as you go.
• Once the mixture is smooth (airy with a few bubbles is ok) pour it into the lined cake tin.
• Put the cake into the preheated oven for 15 mins, then take out and turn the tin around and put back in for another 18 mins.
• To test if the cake is cooked insert a tooth pick into the dome of the cake, if it comes out clean the cake is ready.
• It should be golden brown on top!
• Leave the cake to cool for about ten minutes in the tin then transfer onto a cooling rack for another 10-15.
• Repeat steps 1-6 for the second cake tier.
• Whilst the cakes are cooling prepare the buttercream;
• using a whisk, whisk the butter ,adding the icing sugar slowly, then when you've added all the icing sugar whisk in the lemon juice and rind.
• When the cakes have each cooled use a pallet knife ~ or flat knife~ to spread HALF of the buttercream onto ONE cake.
• Then carefully place the other cake on top (BEWARE OF ANY BUTTERCREAM SEEPING OUT THE SIDES)
• Use the remaining buttercream for the top of the cake then decorate with icing sugar and raspberries(optional)

CITRUS POUND CAKE

Steps:

• In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in the vanilla, lemon zest and orange zest. Combine the flour, baking powder, salt and baking soda; add to the creamed mixture alternately with yogurt. Beat just until combined., Transfer to a greased and floured 10-in. fluted tube pan. Bake at 325° for 55-65 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack to cool completely., In a small bowl, combine confectioners' sugar and enough lemon juice to achieve desired consistency. Drizzle over cake. Sprinkle with candied lemon and orange peel.

LEMON SPONGE CAKE

Steps:

• Sift flour, baking powder, and salt.
• In a large bowl, beat egg whites (SAVE THE YOLKS) and cream of tartar until soft peaks form. Add 1/2 cup of the sugar and beat until very stiff. Do not underbeat. Set aside.
• Beat yolks until blended. Add remaining 1 1/2 cup sugar and beat until blended. Add the dry ingredients alternately with the cold water.
• Fold the egg yolk mixture into the egg whites. Add the lemon juice and mix it in gently.
• Bake in an ungreased tube pan 60-70 minutes at 350 degrees. Invert and cool completely before removing from pan.

CITRUS SPONGE CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Beat egg yolks until slightly thickened.
• Gradually add 3/4 cup of sugar and hot water to yolks, beating until thick and lemon colored.
• Blend in orange juice, vanilla, orange and lemon peels.
• Sift together cake flour, baking powder and salt.
• Add to wet ingredients.
• In a separate bowl, beat egg whites until soft peaks form.
• Add remaining 1/4 cup sugar, a tablespoon at a time until stiff peaks form.
• Fold 1/4 of the egg white mixture into batter until incorporated. Fold in remaining egg whites.
• Spoon into an ungreased 10 inch tube pan.
• Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes, or until cake springs bake when pressed lightly.
• Immediately invert pan and cool.

LEMON SPONGE CAKE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 170C/150C fan/gas 3. Butter a deep, loose-bottomed, 18cm cake tin and line the base with baking parchment.
• Beat the butter and caster sugar together with an electric whisk until fluffy and pale in colour. Crack the eggs in one at a time, beating well after each addition, then stir in the lemon zest. Fold in the flour, baking powder and ½ tsp salt, then fold in the yogurt.
• Spoon the mixture into the lined tin, smoothing the top with a spatula. Bake in the centre of the oven for 50-55 mins, or until golden brown on top and firm to the touch. Cool in the tin for 10 mins before turning out onto a wire rack to cool completely. Will keep in an airtight container for up to four days, or in the freezer for up to a month.
• When you're ready to decorate, sieve the icing sugar into a bowl and beat in enough of the lemon juice to create a thick icing. Set the cake on a serving plate or cake stand, then spoon over the icing, allowing it to drip down the sides a little. Top with the lemon zest or candied peel, if using (see below), and cut into generous wedges to serve.
• To make candied lemon peel, peel large, wide strips from the lemons using a vegetable peeler. Remove any pith with a knife, then julienne the peel into very thin matchsticks. Tip the granulated sugar into a saucepan with 200ml water and set over a medium heat until the sugar has dissolved. Add the lemon peel and simmer gently for 15 mins, then scoop the peel out using a slotted spoon and set on a piece of kitchen paper to cool. Use to decorate the top of your cake.

LEMON CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter and flour two 8-by-2-inch cake pans, tapping out excess flour. In a medium bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and lemon zest.
• In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat butter and 1 1/2 cups sugar until light and fluffy. With mixer on low, beat in eggs and yolks, one at a time. Beat in 2 tablespoons lemon juice. Alternately beat in flour mixture and buttermilk beginning and ending with flour mixture; mix just until combined.
• Divide batter between pans; smooth tops. Bake until cakes pull away from sides of pans, 32 to 35 minutes. Let cool in pans 10 minutes. Run a knife around edges of pans and invert cakes onto a wire rack.
• While cakes are baking, bring remaining 1/2 cup sugar and 1/2 cup water to a boil in a saucepan. Add lemon slices and simmer 25 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer lemon slices to a waxed-paper-lined plate. Stir remaining 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice into syrup.
• Using a toothpick, poke holes in warm cakes on rack. Brush with lemon syrup. Let cool completely. Prepare frosting, substituting 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice for vanilla extract. Frost cooled cakes and top with candied lemon slices.