This lemon sponge is light, airy and so moist because of the tangy lemon curd and creamy buttercream filling. This recipe, was inspired by a lemon cake I was treated to by the nuns at Kylemore Abbey and it’s hard to beat.
For the sponge:
2 sticks of butter
1 cup caster sugar
4 large free-range eggs
3 tsp vanilla extract
1 2/3 cups self raising flour
1 tsp baking powder
Zest & juice of 1 lemon
About 3 tbsp of milk to loosen batter
For the buttercream:
2 3/4 sticks butter, softened
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
4 cups plus 1 tbsp icing sugar, sifted
For the lemon curd filling (or 2 cups store bought lemon curd):
1 1/2 cups caster sugar
1/4 cup cornflour (corn starch)
1/2 cup lemon juice (about 2–3 lemons)
4 large free-range egg yolks
A pinch of salt
Finely grated zest of 2 lemons
1/2 stick butter
To Finish:
Dusting of icing sugar
For the sponge:
225g butter
225g caster sugar
4 large free-range eggs
3 tsp vanilla extract
210g self raising flour
1 tsp baking powder
Zest & juice of 1 lemon
About 3 tbsp of milk to loosen batter
For the buttercream:
300g butter, softened
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
520g icing sugar, sifted
For the lemon curd filling (or 2 cups store bought lemon curd):
300g caster sugar
50g cornflour (corn starch)
120ml lemon juice (about 2–3 lemons)
4 large free-range egg yolks
A pinch of salt
Finely grated zest of 2 lemons
60g butter
To Finish:
Dusting of icing sugar
Large saucepan
2 x 21 cm/8″ springform tins
Standalone mixer