Lemon Layer Cake Recipe

Step 1

Start by preheating your oven to 325°F then liberally spray 2 (8-inch) round cake pans with non-stick baking spray.

Step 2

In your mixer bowl, add oil and butter and beat for 2 minutes on high speed. Slowly add in sugar and beat on high speed for an additional 4-5 minutes until very pale yellow and fluffy. Next, add eggs, one at a time, combining well after each addition and scraping down the sides as needed.

Step 3

Turn your mixer down to its lowest speed, and slowly add flour into batter in two increments then add baking powder, salt and baking soda. Be careful not to over beat.

Step 4

Lastly, add sour cream, milk, lemon zest, lemon and vanilla extracts, scrape down sides and mix until just combined and turn off mixer.

Step 5

Evenly pour cake batter into prepared baking pans and place in oven to bake for 30-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes just barely clean but don't over bake (crucial not to over bake this cake)!! I personally start checking the cakes around 27 minutes just to ensure.

Step 6

Remove cakes from oven and rest in pans for 10-15 minutes. Invert cakes from pans onto cooling racks until cooled.

Step 7

Add butter and cream cheese to the bowl of your mixer and beat on high speed until it begins to thicken and fluff.

Step 8

Next slow down mixer and carefully add in confectioner’s sugar. Once all sugar has incorporated, turn mixer back to high to continue whipping.

Step 9

Add in heavy cream, vanilla, lemon extract and salt and continue whipping until it is smooth, light and a fluffy frosting.

Step 10

Level the cakes, if necessary, and slice each cake into two layers making a total of four layers of cake. Add frosting between layers then frost entire cake with remaining frosting. Serve.