FOODIE FRIDAY--Lemon Curd Layer Cake

And here’s another Bon Appetit recipe. I made this cake numerous times in 2008/2009 from family occasions to the hubby’s work parties.  This recipe must be made in parts as they must be chilled prior to building the cake. Please read the entire recipe prior to making. Allow two days.

A word of warning: this recipe takes a DOZEN EGGS.

Lemon Curd Layer Cake

LEMON CURD: will be used in frosting AND cake

2 1/3 cups sugar
2 tsp. cornstarch
1 cup fresh lemon juice
4 large eggs
4 large egg yolks
¾ cup (1 ½ sticks) unsalted butter, cut into ½-inch pieces

FROSTING:

¾ cup powdered sugar
2 cups chilled whipping cream

CAKE:

1 ½ cups cake flour
1 ½ cups sugar
2 ½ tsp baking powder
¾ tsp salt
4 large egg yolks
¼ cup vegetable oil
¼ cup orange juice
1 ½ tsp grated lemon peel
8 large egg whites
¼ tsp cream of tartar

Lemon slices, halved, patted dry

FOR LEMON CURD: Combine 2 1/3 cups sugar and 2 tsp cornstarch in heavy medium saucepan. Gradually whisk in fresh lemon juice. Whisk in eggs and yolks; add butter. Whisk over medium heat until curd thickens and boils, about 12 minutes. Pour (through strainer to catch cooked bits of egg) into medium bowl. Refrigerate until cold, at least 5 hours (Can be prepared 1 week ahead. Cover and keep refrigerated).

FOR FROSTING: Beat powdered sugar and 1 ¼ cups lemon curd in large bowl just until blended. Beat cream in medium bowl until firm peaks form. Fold cream into curd mixture in 3 additions. Chill until firm, at least 4 hours.

FOR CAKE: Preheat oven to 350 F. Butter and flour three 9-inch-round cake pans with 1½-inch sides; line bottoms with parchment paper. Whisk 1½ cups cake flour, ½ cup sugar, 2 ½ tsp. baking powder and ¾ tsp. salt in large bowl. Add 4 yolks, ¼ cup vegetable oil, orange juice, lemon peel and ¾ cup lemon curd to bowl (do not stir). Combine whites and ¼ tsp. cream of tartar in another large bowl. Using electric mixer, beat whites until soft peaks form. Gradually add remaining 1 cup sugar, beating until stiff but not dry. Using same beaters, beat yolk mixture until smooth. Fold whites into yolk mixture in 3 additions.

Divide batter equally among prepared pans. Bake cakes until tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 25 minutes. Cool cakes in pans on racks 15 minutes. Turn cakes out onto racks; peel off parchment. Cool cakes completely.

Spoon 1 cup frosting into pastry bag fitted with plain round tip; refrigerate bag. Place 1 cake layer on cake platter. Spread top of cake layer with 1/3 cup curd, then 1 cup frosting. Top with second cake layer; spread with 1/3 cup curd and 1 cup frosting. Top with third cake layer. Spread remaining frosting over top and sides of cake. Spread remaining curd over top of cake, leaving ¾-inch border around edge. Pipe chilled 1 cup frosting in bag in small mounds around edge of cake. (Cake can be prepared 1 day ahead; refrigerate). Place lemon slices between mounds of frosting. Slice cake and serve.

Enjoy!