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Perfect Leo Sun Lemon Cake with Gold Dust Buttercream

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A bright and zesty lemon cake topped with a silky, shimmering gold dust buttercream, perfect for celebrations or a sunny afternoon treat.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 ½ cups (315 g) all-purpose flour, sifted
  • 2 ½ teaspoons (10 g) baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon (3 g) salt
  • ½ cup (115 g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 ¾ cups (350 g) granulated sugar
  • 4 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 cup (240 ml) whole milk, room temperature (can substitute with almond milk)
  • Zest of 3 medium lemons
  • ½ cup (120 ml) freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon (5 ml) vanilla extract
  • 1 cup (230 g) unsalted butter, softened (for buttercream)
  • 4 cups (480 g) powdered sugar, sifted
  • 2–3 tablespoons (30–45 ml) heavy cream
  • 1 tablespoon (15 ml) lemon juice (for buttercream)
  • 1 teaspoon edible gold dust

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line two 8-inch cake pans with parchment paper.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
  3. In a mixing bowl, beat ½ cup softened butter with granulated sugar until pale and fluffy, about 4-5 minutes on medium speed.
  4. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
  5. Stir in lemon zest and vanilla extract.
  6. Reduce mixer speed to low. Add dry ingredients in three parts, alternating with whole milk and lemon juice, beginning and ending with dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
  7. Divide batter evenly between prepared pans and smooth tops.
  8. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and edges pull slightly from the pan.
  9. Cool cakes in pans for 10 minutes, then invert onto cooling racks and cool completely.
  10. For the buttercream, beat 1 cup softened butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, beating on low speed.
  11. Add heavy cream and lemon juice to reach spreadable consistency.
  12. Fold in edible gold dust carefully to maintain shimmer.
  13. Assemble cake by placing one layer on a plate, spreading buttercream evenly on top, adding second layer, and covering top and sides with remaining buttercream.
  14. Dust extra gold dust on top with a soft brush for sparkle.

Notes

Use room temperature ingredients for best results. Do not overmix batter to avoid dense cake. Cool cake layers completely before frosting to prevent melting buttercream. Use a soft brush to apply gold dust sparingly for a subtle shimmer. If buttercream is too stiff, add more cream; if too loose, add more powdered sugar.

Nutrition

Keywords: lemon cake, buttercream, gold dust, lemon zest, homemade cake, easy lemon cake, celebration cake, lemon dessert

Find it online: https://forkifyfun.com/perfect-leo-sun-lemon-cake-recipe-easy-homemade-gold-dust-buttercream-tutorial/