The Perfect Lemon Curd Cake Recipe: Tangy-Sweet Joy in Every Bite

Lemon curd cake refines ordinary dessert expectations with its vibrant, sunshine-infused personality.

Sweet and tangy notes dance across your palate, creating a sensory experience that tingles with excitement.

Delicate layers whisper promises of culinary adventure, inviting you into a world of bright, zesty possibilities.

Soft textures mingle with intense citrus undertones, challenging traditional cake conventions.

Subtle hints of buttery richness balance the sharp lemon essence, creating a harmonious flavor profile.

Elegant yet approachable, this dessert speaks to both sophisticated and casual taste preferences.

Prepare to fall in love with a treat that celebrates pure, unapologetic deliciousness.

Lemon Curd Cake: A Citrusy Dream Come True

• Burst of Citrusy Delight: Tangy lemon curd creates a bright, zingy flavor that dances across your taste buds, transforming an ordinary cake into a sunshine-packed dessert that awakens your senses.
• Luxurious Layered Texture: Smooth buttercream and silky lemon curd provide a decadent contrast between soft cake layers, delivering a melt-in-your-mouth experience that feels elegantly indulgent.
• Make-Ahead Celebration Cake: Perfect for special occasions, this stunning dessert can be prepared in advance and chilled, making party planning stress-free while guaranteeing a show-stopping centerpiece that impresses guests without last-minute kitchen chaos.
• Comfort Meets Elegance: Combines the nostalgic warmth of a classic cake with sophisticated flavor profiles, creating a dessert that feels both familiar and exciting for any celebration or weekend treat.

Key Ingredients for Making a Luscious Lemon Curd Cake

• All-Purpose Flour: A soft, finely milled flour that provides the cakes delicate structure and tender crumb.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a light, moist cake texture.
• Eggs: Binding agent that provides structure and richness to the cake layers.
• Baking Powder: Helps the cake rise and become light and fluffy.

• Butter, Vegetable Oil: Adds moisture and creates a rich, tender cake texture.
• Milk: Adds moisture and helps blend ingredients smoothly.
• Vanilla Extract: Provides a classic, warm background flavor to the cake.

• Lemon Curd: Tangy, bright spread that adds a zesty citrus flavor between cake layers.
• Buttercream: Smooth, creamy frosting that covers and decorates the cake.
• Fresh Lemons: Optional garnish that provides a fresh, citrusy accent and decorative touch.

How to Craft the Perfect Lemon Curd Cake

Step 1: Prepare Cake Surface

Level the cooled cake layers to ensure a smooth, even base for assembling the cake. Use a long serrated knife to carefully trim any uneven tops.

Step 2: Create First Layer

Place 1 cake layer on a serving plate. Spread a thin, even layer of lemon curd over the cake, then add a smooth layer of buttercream on top.

Step 3: Stack Additional Layers

Add the remaining cake layers, repeating the process of spreading lemon curd and buttercream between each layer. Ensure each layer is centered and aligned.

Step 4: Frost Entire Cake

Cover the top and sides of the cake completely with buttercream, creating a smooth and even finish. Use an offset spatula to achieve a clean, professional look.

Step 5: Chill and Serve

Refrigerate the assembled cake for at least 30 minutes. This helps set the frosting and allows the flavors to meld together. Remove from the refrigerator shortly before serving to let the cake come to a perfect serving temperature.

Tricks for Getting the Best Texture in Lemon Curd Cake

• Smooth Surface Trick: Level cake layers carefully using a serrated knife to ensure an even, professional-looking cake with clean layers.
• Curd Spreading Strategy: Apply lemon curd sparingly to prevent overwhelming sweetness and maintain a delicate balance of flavors.
• Buttercream Technique: Use an offset spatula for precise and smooth buttercream application, creating clean and elegant cake edges.
• Chilling Secret: Refrigerate the cake before serving to help buttercream set and enhance flavor melding between layers.
• Garnish Upgrade: Decorate with fresh lemon zest, edible flowers, or candied lemon slices for a stunning visual and flavor boost.

Preserving Leftovers of Lemon Curd Cake

• Refrigerate leftover cake in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Cover the cake loosely with plastic wrap or place it in a cake carrier to prevent drying out. Store in the coldest part of the refrigerator, away from strong-smelling foods. Reheat individual slices at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving to restore the cake's soft texture and vibrant lemon flavor. For longer storage, freeze wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil for up to 2 months, ensuring the cake remains moist and delicious when thawed.

Tasty Additions to Serve with Lemon Curd Cake

• Pair Zesty Whites: Sauvignon Blanc or a crisp Pinot Grigio perfectly complement the tangy lemon curd, cutting through the richness of buttercream while enhancing the cake's bright citrus notes.
• Match Herbal Tea Elegance: Chamomile or Earl Grey tea offer a delicate, floral backdrop that balances the cake's sweetness, creating a refined afternoon treat with subtle complexity.
• Serve Citrus Sorbet Sidekick: A small scoop of lemon or mandarin sorbet alongside the cake provides a refreshing palate cleanser, amplifying the dessert's citrusy essence and adding a cool, light contrast.
• Garnish with Fresh Berries: Raspberries or blueberries add a burst of color and tartness that complements the lemon curd, introducing a fresh, fruity dimension to each delightful bite.

New Twists on Classic Lemon Curd Cake

• Lavender Lemon Fusion: Infuse the lemon curd with dried lavender flowers for a subtle, aromatic flavor that complements the bright citrus notes.
• Berry Burst Edition: Layer the cake with mixed berry compote alongside the lemon curd to add a tangy and sweet dimension to the dessert.
• Coconut Tropical Escape: Incorporate shredded coconut between layers and fold toasted coconut flakes into the buttercream for a tropical-inspired variation.
• Almond Elegance Remix: Fold ground almonds into the cake batter and garnish the cake with sliced toasted almonds for a nutty, sophisticated touch.

Lemon Curd Cake Recipe

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4.6 from 13 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Zesty lemon curd cake delivers a perfect balance of tangy and sweet flavors from classic British baking traditions. Silky layers of moist cake embrace creamy lemon curd, promising you a delightful slice of pure culinary joy.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2 ½ cups (500g) granulated sugar
• 2 cups (4 sticks, 454g) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 8 large egg whites (260g)

Lemon Flavor Ingredients:

• Zest of 2 large lemons
• ¼ cup (60g) fresh lemon juice (juice of 1 large lemon)
• 2 teaspoons (8g) lemon extract
• 2 teaspoons (8g) vanilla extract

Seasoning Ingredient:

• ½ teaspoon (3g) fine salt

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Instructions

1. Carefully trim any uneven surfaces of the cooled cake layers using a serrated knife to ensure a perfectly flat and symmetrical base.
2. Position the first cake layer centered on a decorative serving plate, creating a stable foundation for assembly.
3. Gently spread a uniform, delicate layer of zesty lemon curd across the entire surface of the first cake layer, ensuring even coverage from edge to edge.
4. Pipe or smoothly apply a consistent layer of velvety buttercream directly over the lemon curd, creating a harmonious flavor and texture combination.
5. Carefully place the second cake layer on top, aligning it precisely to maintain structural integrity and visual appeal.
6. Repeat the lemon curd and buttercream layering process for the second layer, maintaining a balanced and generous filling.
7. Using an offset spatula, meticulously coat the entire exterior of the cake with a smooth, even layer of buttercream, covering the top and sides completely.
8. Refrigerate the assembled cake for 30 to 45 minutes (30 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit or 4 to 5 degrees Celsius) to allow the frosting to set and enhance the cake’s stability.
9. Remove from the refrigerator just before serving to ensure the cake is cool, firm, and ready to be sliced and enjoyed.

Notes

• Check cake layers are completely cool before assembly to prevent buttercream melting.
• Use an offset spatula for smooth, even spreading of lemon curd and buttercream between layers.
• Create a crumb coat first by applying a thin layer of buttercream, then chill for 15 minutes before final frosting.
• Wipe spatula clean between each frosting application to maintain a clean, professional-looking finish.
• Store cake in refrigerator and bring to room temperature 30 minutes before serving for best flavor and texture.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 60 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Breakfast
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: British

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 3850 kcal
• Sugar: 500g
• Sodium: 1200mg
• Fat: 440g
• Saturated Fat: 280g
• Unsaturated Fat: 160g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 520g
• Fiber: 0g
• Protein: 24g
• Cholesterol: <10mg