Zesty Lemon Cake

Ingredients

• 2 cups butter (softened)
• 8 eggs
• 4 2/3 cups flour (all purpose)
• 3 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 4 cups sugar
• 4 tsp lemon peel (grated)
• 4 Tbsp lemon juice
• 2 cups buttermilk
• 2 1/2 tsp lemon peel (grated)
• 12 oz cream cheese (softened)
• 1 cup butter (softened)
• 2 tsp lemon juice
• 10 cups powdered sugar

Instructions

1. 1

   Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and lightly flour 4 (9x2 inch) round cake pans.

2. 2

   Allow the butter and eggs to sit at room temperature for 30 minutes.

3. 3

   --- For the Cake ---

4. 4

   In a large mixing bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Set aside.

5. 5

   In a large mixing bowl, beat butter on high for 1 minute. Add sugar, lemon peel, lemon juice. Beat until well combined. Add eggs one at a time, beating well. Add flour mixture, alternating with buttermilk, Mix on low speed after each addition until well combined.

6. 6

   Pour into prepared cake pans.

7. 7

   Bake at 350° for 35-40 minutes or until tooth pick inserted comes out clean. Cool on wire rack and remove from pans after 10 minutes. Cool cakes completely before frosting.

8. 8

   --- For the Frosting ---

9. 9

   In a medium mixing bowl, mix cream cheese, butter and lemon juice until light and fluffy. Gradually add powdered sugar, one cup at a time, until desired consistency is obtained. Stir in lemon peel.