Lemon Frosted Lemon Cake

Ingredients

• 1 cup (226 grams) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1 cup (200 grams) granulated white sugar
• 4 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• Zest of 1 large lemon (outer yellow skin of lemon)
• 2 cups (260 grams) all purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup (60 ml) fresh lemon juice

Lemon Frosting:

• 1 cup (115 grams) confectioners' (powdered or icing) sugar, sifted
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

Directions

• Preheat oven to 180C and place oven rack in the center of the oven. Butter, or spray with a non stick cooking spray, a 9 inch (23 cm) spring form pan and then line the bottom of the pan with parchment or wax paper.

1. In the bowl of your electric mixer (or with a hand mixer) beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy and pale in color (about 3 minutes).
2. Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
3. Beat in the vanilla extract and lemon zest.
4. Sift together the flour, baking powder and salt and then add to the batter along with the lemon juice. Mix only until incorporated.
5. Pour the batter into the prepared pan, smoothing the top with an offset spatula.
6. Bake about 40 - 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
7. Place on a wire rack to cool, then gently remove the sides of the pan.

Lemon Frosting:

1. In a bowl, combine the sifted confectioners' sugar with the 2 tablespoons lemon juice.
2. (You want the icing to be thicker than a glaze but still thin enough that it will just run over the sides of the cake.
3. If not the right consistency add more lemon juice or powdered sugar, accordingly.)
4. Pour the frosting over the top of the cake, allowing the icing to drip down the sides.
5. Let the icing set before covering.

• This cake will keep for several days in an airtight container.