Raspberry and lemon has to be one of the best combinations out there, and this cake is no exception.
Every now and then I see something or think of something that I just know will be perfect and delicious and exactly what I feel like eating when the moment arrives to eat it. This was definitely one of those times and this cake is firmly filed under “make again, and make often“. I highly recommend giving it a try while all those gorgeous fresh raspberries are still around! I only wish I had gotten a better picture of the whole cake, but it was raining and dark when it was done and I couldn’t wait to cut into it – my guests may have mutinied, and mutinous parents are bad news for bloggers.
And, which is unlike me and is taking great restraint for my rambly nature, we’re going straight to the recipe, because this cake is really so good I don’t want to distract you with anything else that might slow your immediate run to your kitchen or grocery list to get this cake into production.
- CAKE:
- ½ cup butter or margarine, softened
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 eggs
- ½ tsp each vanilla and coconut extract
- Zest of ½ a lemon
- 1¼ cups plus 2 Tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp salt
- ½ cup milk
- FROSTING:
- 2 oz cream cheese, room temperature
- ½ cup heavy whipping cream
- 1 cup icing sugar/powdered sugar
- Zest of ½ a lemon
- ½ tsp vanilla OR coconut extract (use coconut if garnishing with coconut, otherwise stick with vanilla)
- GARNISH:
- Lots of fresh raspberries! I used about 2 pints.
- Optional: additional lemon zest and/or plain sweetened shredded coconut or lightly toasted coconut
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Cut a circle out of parchment paper to line the bottom of an 8" or 9" round cake pan. Lightly grease pan, set parchment paper in bottom and set aside.
- In large bowl, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, extracts and lemon zest and mix well. Alternate mixing in flour and milk, making two additions of each. Beat until smooth, then pour into prepared pan and smooth top. Bake 30-35 minutes, until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes before removing from pan, then let cool completely on rack before frosting.
- For frosting, beat cream cheese until smooth. Slowly add whipping cream while mixing and mix well to eliminate lumps. Add all remaining ingredients and mix until smooth. When smooth, turn mixer to high and whip for 2-3 minutes, until fluffy and light, like a thick whipped cream.
- Slice cake horizontally in half and spread half the frosting on the bottom layer (I'm terrible at cutting things horizontally anywhere near the center, as you can see in the picture. I've pretty much given up buying unsliced bagels for the same reason.) Set top layer on bottom and cover with remaining frosting, making it heavier in the center as the raspberries will push it further to the edge. Top frosting with a pile of fresh raspberries, and garnish with additional lemon zest and/or coconut, if desired.
Yum, yum, yum. Moist, fresh cake, tart, sweet frosting and one of nature’s miracles: razzzzzberries. Downright zingy.
Recipe adapted from Lauren’s Latest, where you can also find fabulous pictures and a beautiful story!
In Paul pastry, they make Lemon Raspberry very close to your recipe but without frosting: Very delicious.
I am searching for its recipe but I can’t find it.
Lemon and berries are my favorite fruits to combine. Your cake is just lovely. I like your blog. I am happily following you now. :)
Definitely running to the grocery store… :)
well…i needed a recipe for dessert for a party i’m going to this weekend…and here it is! Thanks, Anna!
Looks delish! Wish I felt like making it right now! I have another rasp/lemon recipe that I think you’ll love too- I’ll try remember to pass it on ;) btw- I got an awesome level cake slicer thing at Michaels when I took a course there- it works great, and I think was only $5.
Oooh, I’d love another raspberry lemon recipe! Can never have too many of those…and I’ll definitely have to look into that cake slicer.