Description
A delightful layered vanilla cake featuring moist and tender cake layers filled with zesty lemon curd and topped with smooth, creamy vanilla bean Italian meringue buttercream. Perfect for special occasions or an elegant dessert.
Ingredients
Cake Ingredients
- 1 ⅔ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ¼ tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ¾ cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- 3 egg whites
- 3 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ cup Greek yogurt
- ½ cup whole milk or 2%
Filling
- Lemon curd (amount as desired to layer between cakes, approximately 1 cup)
Frosting
- Vanilla bean Italian meringue buttercream (enough to frost and fill the cake, approximately 3 cups)
Instructions
- Prepare pans and preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 340°F (171°C). Butter and flour three 6-inch round baking pans. Wrap wet cake strips around your pans to promote even baking and prevent doming.
- Sift dry ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and sugar to ensure they are evenly combined and aerated.
- Whisk wet ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the unsalted butter, egg whites, vanilla extract, Greek yogurt, and milk until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Combine wet and dry: Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and gently fold until just combined. Avoid over-mixing to prevent developing too much gluten, which can make the cake dense.
- Divide batter and bake: Evenly divide the batter among the three prepared pans. Place the pans back in the oven with the wet cake strips around them and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean and the centers spring back when touched.
- Cool layers: Let the cake layers cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then turn out onto wire racks to cool completely before assembling.
- Assemble cake: Once cooled, layer the cakes by spreading lemon curd between each layer. Then, cover the entire cake with the vanilla bean Italian meringue buttercream. Smooth the frosting and decorate as desired.
Notes
- Using wet cake strips helps ensure even baking and reduces doming on the cake tops.
- Greek yogurt adds moisture and a slight tang to the cake, enhancing flavor and texture.
- Italian meringue buttercream is more stable and less sweet than traditional buttercream, ideal for decorating.
- Make sure cake layers are fully cooled before frosting to prevent melting or sliding.
- Lemon curd can be homemade or store-bought depending on preference and time.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Baking
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
