LEMON VODKA CAKE

Lemon Vodka Cake image

Provided by Pat Duran

Time 45m

Number Of Ingredients 20

CAKE:
1/4 c butter, softened
1 3/4 c granulated sugar
4 large eggs,separated
1 Tbsp grated lemon rind
1 tsp vanilla extract
8 oz cream cheese,softened
1/2 c lemon vodka or plain
2 3/4 c all purpose flour
1 Tbsp each baking powder and baking soda
1/4 c milk
1 Tbsp lemon juice
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp almond extract
1/2 c chopped almonds, optional
VODKA SYRUP:
1/4 c lemon vodka, or regular
1 c powdered sugar
1 c angel flake coconut
2 Tbsp lemon juice

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 350^. Spray and flour a 10-inch tube pan. Set aside. --- Cream butter, sugar, egg yolks, lemon rind and vanilla together in a mixer bowl until light and fluffy on medium speed.
2. Combine cream cheese and vodka in a small bowl. Sift flour, baking powder,baking soda and salt into a separate bowl. Alternately add flour mixture and cream cheese mixture to butter mixture, beat well after each addition. Beat for 1 minute more, until mixture is light.
3. Combine almond extract with egg whites; beat in a clean mixer bowl until stiff but not dry. Fold egg whites gently into cake batter along with the chopped almonds , if using.
4. Pour batter into the prepared pan and bake for 50-55 minutes. Cool in pan on wire rack for 10 minutes, then turn out onto rack and cool completely. --- Syrup: Combine all ingredients for vodka syrup in a saucepan;except coconut. Cook over low heat for 5 minutes. Cool; pour in thin stream over cake. Sprinkle on coconut right away. Let stand 1 hour before serving.