Lemon Layer Cake

2/28/2023

Here's a little insight into how my brain works: When I meet someone for the first time and they tell me their name - I'm almost guaranteed to forget it within 30 seconds.🥴 If I happen to overhear that same person casually mentioning to someone else that they love coconut or they don't eat peanut butter or that they have a shellfish allergy - I will remember that information for the rest of my days.🤷🏻‍♀️ My brain is a scary place sometimes.😂

I have the same type of selective, food-driven, memories from the places that I've travelled to. I have very specific memories of meals that I've particularly enjoyed on vacation.🧆 I can describe the plate that the food was served on, the aromas lofting out of the kitchen and the number of green beans that were on the plate.

I've given up on trying to figure out why all my memories are somehow connected to food. I've learned to just be thankful that I have my food memories to connect to the trips that I'm fortunate enough to take. I'll forever remember eating mussels in Ireland, cheese fondue in Switzerland, spaghetti with clams in Venice and the most amazing squid, in Greece.

I enjoy making birthday cakes. And I really love making birthday cakes for special friends. I have a very special friend who mentioned to me, in passing, that she likes lemon, circa 2010. Since we've been friends for quite a few years now, I had the privilege of baking a cake for her birthday, quite a few times and I'm fairly certain that I've made some sort of lemon dessert for her every single year since we've met. 🍋😂

So here's the take away - if you want me to make a specific cake flavor for you - for the rest of your life - tell me your favorite flavor. If you don't want to eat lemon cake for the rest of your days - think twice before informing me about your love of lemon.🤣

Lemon Layer Cake
3 cups sifted all-purpose flour
2 and 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup butter, softened to room temperature
1 and 3/4 cups sugar
3 large eggs, at room temperature
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup whole milk, at room temperature
zest of 2 lemons
1/3 cup fresh lemon juice

Cream Cheese Buttercream Frosting
1 cup butter, softened to room temperature
16 ounces cream cheese, softened to room temperature
4 and 1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar
2 Tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
pinch salt