Teachers' Day is an occasion that calls for more than just words of gratitude; it's an opportunity to show our appreciation for the incredible educators who have shaped our lives. What better way to express our thanks than with a mouthwatering homemade creation? Enter the Delightful Lemon Raspberry Cake, a dessert that combines the zesty brightness of lemons with the sweet allure of raspberries, offering a harmonious symphony of flavors that's bound to make your teachers' hearts sing.
This delightful Lemon Raspberry Cake is not just a dessert; it's a symbol of appreciation, a token of admiration, and a gesture of love for the mentors who have guided us on our educational journey. In this article, we will take you through the step-by-step process of crafting this scrumptious cake, perfect for celebrating Teachers' Day with a touch of sweetness and heartfelt gratitude. So, let's roll up our sleeves and embark on a culinary adventure to honor our beloved teachers!
Ingredients
For the Cake: 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
2 cups granulated sugar
4 large eggs
2 tablespoons lemon zest (from about 2 lemons)
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1 cup buttermilk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups fresh raspberries (or frozen, thawed)
For the Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting: 8 oz cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
4 cups powdered sugar
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon lemon zest
Preparation Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Servings: 12
Method
For the Cake: - Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the lemon zest and lemon juice.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with buttermilk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
- Gently fold in the fresh raspberries.
- Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then remove them from the pans and let them cool completely on a wire rack.
For the Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting:
- In a mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until smooth and creamy.
- Gradually add the powdered sugar, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Beat until well combined and smooth.
Assembling the Cake: - Place one of the cooled cake layers on a serving plate or cake stand.
- Spread a generous layer of the lemon cream cheese frosting over the top of the first layer.
- Place the second cake layer on top and frost the entire cake with the remaining frosting.
- Optional: Decorate the cake with additional fresh raspberries and lemon zest for a beautiful finishing touch.
- Slice, serve, and enjoy your homemade Lemon Raspberry Cake with your teachers!