Chef Marion Geraspe Shares Her Grandmother's Lemon Cake

Chef Marion Geraspe shared with SEENews how to make her grandmother's Lemon Velvet Cake.

''Let's talk about turning a classic proverb into a delightful reality! If life indeed hands you lemons, craft a sumptuous Lemon Velvet Cake adorned with an exquisite Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting," she said.

Geraspe added, "A sublime culinary gem, this cake is the very definition of summery freshness—subtle sweetness enveloped in a burst of lemony magic. Every slice of this vibrant yellow dessert promises a glimpse of sunshine and a cascade of memories,".

"This cake holds a special place in my heart, echoing the joyous memories shared with my beloved grandmother—a connoisseur of all things lemon. Wishing to concoct the perfect lemon dessert for her, I embarked on a culinary journey. The result? A masterpiece of a cake that's the perfect balance of moistness, fluffiness, and lemony zing. Today, though my grandmother is no longer with us, her zest for lemon delights is relived each time this cake graces our table,".

Ingredients

For cake:

1 and ¾ cups premium cake flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

½ teaspoon baking soda

½ teaspoon salt

½ cup unsalted butter, at room's embrace

1 cup fine sugar

2 large eggs, room temperature

2 pristine egg whites, room temperature

⅓ cup zesty lemon juice, freshly squeezed

½ cup buttermilk, chilled

2 tablespoons lemon zest, freshly grated

½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract

For luscious frosting:

8 oz cream cheese, softened

4 oz unsalted butter, softened

3 cups powdered sugar, sifted

1 tablespoon vibrant lemon juice, freshly squeezed

1 teaspoon lemon zest, freshly grated

How to make this delight:

Start by preheating your oven to 350° F. Lovingly prepare two 9-inch cake pans by greasing and flouring.

Whisk together the cake flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a bowl, setting the stage for magic.

In a grand mixing bowl, bring butter and sugar together till they waltz into a light and airy embrace.

Introduce the eggs and egg whites, one dancer at a time, ensuring each is flawlessly incorporated.

With grace, fold in the lemon juice, buttermilk, lemon zest, and vanilla.

Slowly, but with confidence, whisk the dry ingredients into the wet. Stir till a silky batter emerges.

Gently pour the golden concoction into your pans and bake for 20-25 minutes. When a toothpick comes out clean, it's time.

Let these sunlit creations rest for a moment—10 minutes in their pans, before transferring them to a cooling rack.

For the Frosting:

With fervor, whip together the cream cheese and butter till smooth.

Drizzle in the powdered sugar, lemon juice, and zest, and whisk till you achieve a velvety, luscious consistency.

Once cooled, cloak the cake with this creamy dream.

A bite of this Lemon Velvet Cake with Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting is like a walk down memory lane—a celebration of family, love, summer, and joy. 

Each slice promises a burst of sunshine and a sweet, tangy symphony that dances on the palate. So, gather your loved ones, share this delightful cake, and cherish the moments of joy it brings.