Lemonade Layer Cake

I have said it before, I don't have a sweet tooth. I have a meat tooth. But lately I have been all about cake. Maybe it's because I recently got a brand new cake stand and am always wanting something pretty to sit on it. (I don't know.) Whatever the reason, my kids have been loving this new side of me! A new cake every few days. "Mom is awesome!" (At least I think I heard them say that...)

Lemonade Layer Cake is currently being touted as "The Best Cake On Pinterest." I can tell you that it's the best lemon cake I have ever had or made. Tart and delicious! And seeing as how we have a lemon tree in our backyard that is FULL of fruit right now, this cake was a no-brainer for me. Simple enough to make on a weekday but definitely worthy of company! This dish is a keeper! Enjoy!

Ingredients for Cake:

1 1/3 cups granulated sugar

6 Tbs butter, softened

1 Tbs grated lemon rind

3 Tbs thawed lemonade concentrate

2 tsp vanilla extract

2 large eggs

2 egg whites

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp baking soda

1 1/4 cups buttermilk

cooking spray

Ingredients For Frosting:

2 Tbs butter, softened

2 tsp grated lemon rind

2 tsp thawed lemonade concentrate

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

8 oz block cream cheese, at room temp

3 1/2 cups powdered sugar

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

To prepare cake, place first 5 ingredients in a large mixing bowl, beat with mixer at medium speed until well blended (about 5 minutes). Add eggs and egg whites, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Lightly spoon flour into measuring cup; level with a knife. Combine flour, baking powder, salt, and baking soda; stir well with a whisk. Add flour mixture and buttermilk alternately to sugar mixture, beginning and ending with flour mixture; beat well after each addition.

Pour batter in 2 (9-inch) round cake pans coated with cooking spray; sharply tap pans once on counter to remove air bubbles. Bake at 350 for 20 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pans 10 minutes on a wire rack; remove from pans. Cool completely or wire rack.

To prepare frosting, place 2 Tbs butter and next 4 ingredients in a large bowl; beat with mixer at high speed until fluffy. Add powdered sugar, and beat at low speed until blended (do not over beat). Chill for 1 hour.

Place 1 cake layer on a plate; spread with 1/2 of frosting. Top with remaining cake layer. Spread remaining frosting over top and sides of cake. Store any leftovers loosely covered in fridge.

Recipe source: My Recipes