RASPBERRY LEMON CAKE

Raspberry Lemon Cake image

Want a change from chocolate cake? Try this elegant lemon cake...it's packed with refreshing lemon flavor, from the cake to the homemade lemon curd and creamy frosting. It won a blue-ribbon at an Alaska State Fair and it's definitely a winner with me.-Shirley Warren, Thiensville, Wisconsin

Provided by Taste of Home

Time 1h35m

Yield 12 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 30

Ingredients

3 large eggs
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup lemon juice
1/4 cup butter, cubed
1 tablespoon grated lemon zest
CAKE:
1 package (3 ounces) lemon gelatin
1/2 cup boiling water
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup canola oil
1-3/4 cups sugar, divided
4 large eggs, room temperature
1/2 cup lemon juice
4 teaspoons grated lemon zest
1 teaspoon lemon extract
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup evaporated milk
3/4 cup thawed lemonade concentrate
FROSTING:
6 ounces cream cheese, softened
6 tablespoons butter, softened
3-3/4 to 4 cups confectioners' sugar
4-1/2 teaspoons lemon juice
1-1/2 teaspoons grated lemon zest
3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup seedless raspberry jam
Fresh raspberries, optional

Steps:

For lemon curd, in a heavy saucepan, beat eggs and sugar. Stir in the lemon juice, butter and lemon zest. Cook and stir over medium-low heat for 15 minutes or until mixture is thickened and reaches 160°. Cool for 10 minutes. Cover and chill for 1-1/2 hours or until thickened., For cake, preheat oven to 350°. In a small bowl, dissolve gelatin in boiling water; set aside to cool., In a large bowl, cream beat butter, oil and 1-1/2 cups sugar until blended, about 5 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in gelatin mixture, lemon juice, lemon zest and extracts. Combine flour, baking powder and salt; add to the butter mixture alternately with milk, beating well after each addition., Pour into three greased and floured 9-in. round baking pans. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 20-25 minutes., In a microwave-safe bowl, combine lemonade concentrate and remaining sugar. Microwave, uncovered, on high for 2 minutes or until sugar is dissolved, stirring occasionally. Poke holes in warm cakes with a fork; pour lemonade mixture over cakes. Cool 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely., For frosting, in a large bowl, beat cream cheese and butter until fluffy. Add confectioners' sugar, lemon juice, lemon zest and vanilla; beat until blended., To assemble, place one cake layer on a serving plate; spread with 6 tablespoons raspberry jam. Repeat. Top with remaining cake layer. Spread about 1/2 cup lemon curd over top of cake (save remaining curd for another use)., Spread frosting over sides of cake and pipe a shell border along the top and bottom edges. Garnish with raspberries if desired. Chill 1 hour.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 792 calories, Fat 32g fat (15g saturated fat), Cholesterol 148mg cholesterol, Sodium 386mg sodium, Carbohydrate 122g carbohydrate (97g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 8g protein.