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Dine and Dish

Food blog with family recipes

August 29, 2012

Holding On To Summer {Recipe: Sinful Lemon Cake}

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Summer is slipping away.

The funny thing is, as much as I love summer, as soon as the kids start back to school I am more than ready for autumn to make its presence known. The crispness in the air, the colorful hues adorning the trees, football and pumpkin…all are my cue that summer is long gone and fall is here.

I wanted so badly to make pumpkin bread today, but I couldn’t do that to summer. Summer needs it’s last hurrah before autumn pushes it out of the way and takes the spotlight. So, with the smell of lemon filling my kitchen and sweet sunshine tones of summer, I made a lemon cake.

This, my friends, is not just any lemon cake. This is a lemon cake with everything rich and indulgent I could imagine poured in. Sour cream, pudding, butter and buttermilk… all wrapped up in one brightly baked package. It smells like summer, it tastes like summer… in my mind, it is an ideal way to bid adieu to a wonderful few months and to let fall know that yes… now we’re ready.

(Just like those awesome chevron spoons from my banana pudding ice cream post, these yellow bags are also from I’m With Cupcake. Check out their adorable stuff, today!)

When you are truly ready to say goodbye to summer and want a more fall like sweet treat, give this Banana Bread recipe from Brown Eyed Baker a try!

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Sinful Lemon Cake

A sinful lemon cake with hints of summertime.

Ingredients

  • 3 Cups Cake Flour
  • 3 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 1 4- ounce package instant dry Jello pudding mix vanilla or lemon
  • 3 eggs
  • 1/2 cup butter softened
  • 1/2 cup butter flavored shortening
  • 1 cup buttermilk or buttermilk substitute
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla
  • Zest of 1 lemon
  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • 1 teaspoon lemon extract

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray two standard size loaf pans with cooking spray. Set aside.
  • In a medium sized bowl, mix together cake flour, baking powder, Kosher salt, granulated sugar and pudding mix.
  • In the bowl of a stand mixer, add eggs and beat until a soft yellow. Add butter and shortening and mix until fluffy. Slowly add additional wet ingredients (buttermilk, sour cream, vanilla, lemon zest, lemon juice and lemon extract) and mix until well blended.
  • Add the dry ingredients, 1 cup at a time, to the stand mixer bowl and beat at medium speed until all the dry and wet ingredients are incorporated and batter is smooth.
  • Pour the batter into two prepared loaf pans. Bake at 350°F for 50-60 minutes or until a knife inserted into the middle comes out clean.
  • Allow to cool then remove from pan.

 

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Filed Under: Cake, Dessert, Previous Tagged With: Cake, Dessert, food, lemon, recipe, summer, sunshine

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Marla says

    August 30, 2012 at 12:28 am

    Love the slices of lemon cake in the bags!

  2. The Duo Dishes says

    August 30, 2012 at 12:36 am

    The bags are very cute! Such a nice touch. Love the pudding in the cake. People have to admit that pudding makes cakes quite moist.

  3. Sylvie @ Gourmande in the Kitchen says

    August 30, 2012 at 4:45 am

    I’m so not ready to let go of summer….hanging on for a little bit long while I can.

  4. Crystal @ Crystal's Cozy Kitchen says

    August 30, 2012 at 6:05 am

    Sinful is right! Although I’d love to be eating a slice right now…
    I have to admit that I’m not really a summer person (too hot for me – especially this summer when I was pregnant for most of it!). So I always love autumn, but I also don’t have kiddos in school (for 2 more years…)

  5. Joanne says

    August 30, 2012 at 6:06 am

    Ive really been wanting to start cooking and baking with pumpkin also but summer keeps reeling me in! This cake looks sinful in the most delicious possible way! Way to keep summer alive. 🙂

  6. TidyMom says

    August 30, 2012 at 6:09 am

    As much as I love fall, I do hate to see Summer come to an end!…….but this cake sure helps!

  7. Deborah says

    August 30, 2012 at 7:46 am

    Yay for celebrating the last of summer! I, too, am holding onto as much of summer as I can, and this cake looks like the perfect way to do that!

  8. Meeta says

    August 30, 2012 at 7:46 am

    Oh no I am not letting go of summer yet! It’s so very much my season and the thought of waiting for it till next year is just pain. So glad you decided to leave the pumpkin out – this cake is pure sunshine and I adore citrus cakes. Like the fact that you used pudding in this!

  9. Madeleine @ Teenie Baker says

    August 30, 2012 at 7:52 am

    Yummy! Lemon is definitely a great summer flavor.

  10. SWeetsugarbelle says

    August 30, 2012 at 8:33 am

    You had me at sinful!

  11. Christy @ Life of a Modern Housewife says

    August 30, 2012 at 8:38 am

    OMG! I totally feel you on making pumpkin bread; I want so badly to make it too!! When I went to Target yesterday, I almost bought pumpkin scented candles. This lemon cake sounds and looks delicious!!!

    http://www.lifeofamodernhousewife.com

  12. Heidi @foodiecrush says

    August 30, 2012 at 8:44 am

    I’m with you, my fingernails are clawing at the last remaining days of warm weather and fancy free living. I LOVE lemon cake, can’t wait to try yours.

  13. Rachel @ My Naturally Frugal Family says

    August 30, 2012 at 9:05 am

    Sinful is indeed the correct word for this cake.

    I love the chevron wrappers where did you put those up? I could make good use of them for my daughter’s birthday party.

  14. Gina says

    August 30, 2012 at 9:07 am

    Positively DELISH!!!!!!!! Making this today!

  15. carrian says

    August 30, 2012 at 9:09 am

    I cannot let go of summer. I was just saying yesterday, I feel like I’m trying to soak up every last bit before nasty winter hits. I hate that winter here can last until June. BLEH! anyway, pinned this to make the first week it cools down so I can think of summer, and your darling friendship of course

  16. Kelley {mountain mama cooks} says

    August 30, 2012 at 9:12 am

    Gorgeous! I’m with you- trying to hold on to summer as long as possible. This is my favorite time of year in Park City. The weather is gorgeous and the promise of cooler nights is just around the corner!! Those bags are adorable, can’t wait to check the site out.

  17. Jimi says

    August 30, 2012 at 9:16 am

    I need to make this asap. I love anything lemon! And those bags are so adorable! I was just about to ask in the comments where you got them…very smart of you to include that in the post.
    Side note – I ordered some Notes to Self socks to give as thank you gifts to a couple friends who are active. Now I want some for myself!!

  18. Natalie @ Cooking for My Kids says

    August 30, 2012 at 9:22 am

    This cake looks delicious – perfect for a end of the summer celebration!

    I fight fall for all that it is worth until the littles start to school, and then I happily embrace it. It is truly one of my favorite seasons. I love that first cool breeze in the air, the excitement of football, and the wonderful holiday fun that it brings.

  19. Bev @ Bev Cooks says

    August 30, 2012 at 9:29 am

    Mmmmm I can almost imaaaaaaagine the taaaaste in my faaaaaceeee.

  20. Cassie says

    August 30, 2012 at 9:31 am

    This could not be more sinful, Kristen. I love everything about it!

  21. Diana says

    August 30, 2012 at 9:42 am

    Lemon Cake is one of my favorites! I always make it around Christmas! YUM!

  22. Lynn says

    August 30, 2012 at 10:12 am

    Not sure if this is referring to instant or cook

  23. Lynn says

    August 30, 2012 at 10:13 am

    Sorry, that got away from me……
    Is this referring to instant pudding?

    • Kristen says

      August 30, 2012 at 10:47 am

      Ooops – sorry! Thanks for pointing that out. It should be instant pudding mix 🙂

  24. Lana @ Never Enough Thyme says

    August 30, 2012 at 10:37 am

    Sinful? I’d call that cake luscious! Yum. Lemon is one of my favorite flavors and is most definitely a summery delight. I love summer, too, and am always sad to see it go. It always feels like saying goodbye to an old friend.

  25. Melissa says

    August 30, 2012 at 11:47 am

    Oh man! You love me, you really love me. How did you know I ADORE lemon?! I just made Picky Palate’s Starbucks Iced Lemon pound cakes, well a few days ago, but YUMMMMM! Can’t wait to make this! Thanks!

  26. Betsy says

    August 30, 2012 at 11:51 am

    No fall! If I could draw a circle with fall in the middle and a line through it I would. I want summer to last forever!

    • Kristen says

      August 30, 2012 at 2:38 pm

      🙂 I pretty much just want the 100 degree weather to go away 😉 70-80’s with summer hours and schedule would be ideal!

  27. Kimberly @ A Night Owl says

    August 30, 2012 at 11:57 am

    This looks FANTASTIC Kristen! I pinned it, I’m going to be making it for my Keurig Vue party in September – yay!

  28. Megan says

    August 30, 2012 at 1:14 pm

    I was just about to make a pumpkin and dried cranberry bread. My in-laws arrive tomorrow and I always like to have a tasty quick bread for them to have with coffee. Now I’m torn. This might be the one to make. Maybe I’m being too quick to dismiss Summer! Thanks for posting!!

  29. lin says

    August 30, 2012 at 2:19 pm

    could this be made in a bundt pan? It sounds wonderful!!

    • Kristen says

      August 30, 2012 at 2:37 pm

      Hi Lin – I really think it could. In fact I originally imagined doing it in a bundt pan but changed my mind because I decided I wanted loaves. Let me know if you try it that way!

      • lin says

        August 31, 2012 at 12:19 am

        I will post after I try it! I think it’s going to be tomorrow….I won’t be able to wait! Thanks

  30. Brian @ A Thought For Food says

    August 30, 2012 at 3:02 pm

    I absolutely love lemon desserts and the best are when it’s in the form of a simple cake. Here’s to holding on to summer!

  31. Marnely Rodriguez says

    August 30, 2012 at 4:45 pm

    Oh this looks perfect and captures the happiness of summer!

  32. Delishhh says

    August 30, 2012 at 5:21 pm

    So cute – love the little bags – I wish summer was not ending, especially here in Seattle, WA love summer here. Just fyi – having 20% off in my store right now.

  33. Bob says

    August 30, 2012 at 6:21 pm

    I really like those little bags, awesome pics.

  34. Jamie says

    August 31, 2012 at 5:52 am

    I love lemon cake, love lemon desserts and snacks and I’d love to give this a go. Sadly, I don’t use boxed pudding mix. Don’t sell it here. I wonder if this could be made without it?

    • Kristen says

      August 31, 2012 at 8:47 am

      Totally – in fact the sour cream and pudding were just things I decided to throw in to make it more indulgent 🙂 You can easily do it without.

  35. Sommer@ASpicyPerspective says

    August 31, 2012 at 7:41 am

    Kristen, you know the thing I love the most about citrus desserts is that you can eat them in the middle of an ice storm and one biter takes you straight back to summer.

  36. Kristy Life-n-Reflection says

    August 31, 2012 at 11:17 am

    I love lemon bake goods! Those chevron bags are too perfect for these!

  37. Jamie | My Baking Addiction says

    August 31, 2012 at 3:41 pm

    I am so compelled to start baking with Fall flavors, but the 90+ degree temps are making it hard. Summer definitely needs a last hurrah and this cake looks like the way to celebrate!

  38. Mrs. L says

    August 31, 2012 at 4:08 pm

    It’s a whole 64 degrees this afternoon in sunny California so yes, baking this should be on my list! Yummy sounding!

  39. lin says

    August 31, 2012 at 10:06 pm

    Well, making this in a bundt pan was a success! This is so yummy! Light and delicious. Thanks for the recipe!

  40. Katrina @ In Katrina's Kitchen says

    September 1, 2012 at 4:58 pm

    Lemon loaf is my favorite!!

  41. casque beats by dre studio says

    September 4, 2012 at 4:18 am

    Jag tror att ditt perspektiv är djup, det bara genomtänkt och verkligen fantastiskt att se någon som vet hur man sätter dessa tankar ner så bra. Bra jobb på detta
    din blogg är väldigt good.It var mycket väl skrivit och lätt att förstå. Till skillnad från andra bloggar jag har läst som verkligen inte bra. Jag hittade också dina inlägg mycket intressant

Trackbacks

  1. Sinful Lemon Cake Recipe – A Taste of Summer | Dine and Dish | site_title says:
    August 30, 2012 at 2:00 pm

    […] MoreSin­ful Lemon Cake Recipe — A Taste of Sum­mer | Dine and Dish https://www.dineanddish.net/2012/08/holding-on-to–summer-recipe–sinful-lemon-cake/ · Related Posts […]

  2. Holding On To Summer {Recipe: Sinful Lemon Cake} | Shelterholic Now Food says:
    August 30, 2012 at 5:13 pm

    […] Holding On To Summer {Recipe: Sinful Lemon Cake} Dine and Dish Thu, August 30, 2012 3:24 AM UTC Dine and Dish Rate this Loading … Share (function(){var […]

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