Lemon Layer Cake Recipes

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. Line bottoms of 2 greased 9-in. round baking pans with parchment; grease parchment., Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, 5-7 minutes. Add eggs and egg yolks, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in lemon zest and juice. In a small bowl, mix sour cream and milk. In another bowl, whisk together flour, salt, baking powder and baking soda; add to creamed mixture alternately with sour cream mixture., Transfer to prepared pans. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, 24-28 minutes. Cool in pans 10 minutes before removing to wire racks; remove parchment. Cool slightly., For syrup, in a small saucepan, combine sugar and lemon juice. Bring to a boil; cook until liquid is reduced by half. Cool completely., For frosting, beat cream cheese and butter until smooth; beat in confectioners' sugar, lemon juice and salt until blended., Using a long serrated knife, cut each cake horizontally in half. Brush layers with warm syrup; cool completely., Place 1 cake layer on a serving plate; spread with 1 cup frosting. Repeat layers twice. Top with remaining cake layer. Frost top and sides with remaining frosting. If desired, top with lemon slices or edible flowers. Refrigerate leftovers.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour 3 9-inch cake pans. In a bowl, whisk together 3 1/4 cups of flour, baking powder, and salt.
• Cream 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons softened butter in a large bowl with an electric mixer until smooth, then mix in 2 1/4 cups of sugar until thoroughly blended and fluffy. Beat 6 egg yolks into the butter mixture, one at a time, beating well after each yolk is added. Beat the flour mixture into the butter mixture in thirds, alternating with milk. Mix in 3/4 teaspoon of grated lemon peel and 1 3/4 teaspoon of lemon juice.
• With clean beaters, beat the egg whites to stiff peaks in a bowl; lightly fold the egg whites into the batter; use a rubber spatula or wire whisk to fold 1/3 of the beaten egg whites into the batter. Gently run the spatula through the center of the bowl, then around the sides of the bowl, repeating until fully incorporated. Add the remaining egg whites, folding just until incorporated.. Pour the batter into the 3 prepared cake pans.
• Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cake comes out clean, 25 to 30 minutes. Allow cakes to cool in pans for 10 minutes; then turn out onto a rack to finish cooling.
• To make filling, whisk 2 1/4 cup sugar, 2 tablespoons of grated lemon peel, 1/2 cup of lemon juice, 5 1/2 tablespoons of flour, and beaten egg together in a saucepan. Cook the mixture over low heat, whisking constantly, until the filling almost comes to a boil; cook until thickened and smooth, about 1 minute. Whisk in 2 tablespoons of butter until melted. Allow the filling to cool.
• To assemble, place each cake layer down on a work surface, and place one hand lightly on the top of the cake. Use a serrated knife to slice the cake in half horizontally, with a light sawing motion, to create 2 layers from each cake (6 total layers). Brush crumbs from the layers. Place a cake layer onto a serving dish, and spread with 1/6 of the filling; repeat with all the layers and filling, ending with a layer of lemon filling for the top of the cake.

Steps:

• Filling: Measure 1 tablespoon lemon juice into a small bowl; sprinkle gelatin over the top.
• Heat remaining lemon juice, sugar, and salt in medium non-reactive sauce pan over medium high heat, stirring occasionally until sugar dissolves and mixture is hot, but not boiling.
• Whisk eggs and yolks in a large non-reactive bowl.
• Whisking constantly, slowly pour hot lemon-sugar mixture into eggs, then return mixture to saucepan.
• Cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly until mixture reaches 170° and is thick enought to leave a trail when a spatula is scraped along the bottom of the pan, about 4-6 minutes.
• Immediately remove pan from heat and stir in gelatin mixture until dissolved. Stir in frozen butter until incorporated.
• Pour filling through a fine-meshed strainer into a bowl.
• Cover surface with plastic wrap; refrigerate until firm enough to spread, about 4 hours.
• Cake: Preheat oven to 350°.
• Grease and flour two 9-inch cake pans and line with parchment paper.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together egg milk, egg whites and vanilla.
• In a mixer bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder and salt; mix at slow speed.
• Add butter one piece at a time, continue to beat until mixture resembles moist crumbs and no visible butter chunks.
• Add all but 1 cup of milk mixture to crumbs and beat at medium speed until mixture is pale and fluffy, about 1 1/2 minutes.
• With mixer running, add remaining 1/2 cup milk mixture, beat 1 mintute more.
• Divide batter evenly between cake pans.
• Bake 23-25 minutes or until toothpick in center of cakes comes out clean.
• Loosen cakes from side of pan with a small knife, cool in pan 10 minutes then remove from pan onto greased wire rack, remove parchment paper, invert again and cool completely.
• Icing: Combine all ingredients in a mixer bowl or heatproof bowl.
• Set over medium saucepan filled with 1-inch of simmering water.
• Cook stirring constantly until mixture reaches 160°, 5-10 minutes.
• Transfer mixture to mixer bowl (if needed) and beat on medium speed until soft peaks form, about 5 minutes.
• Increase speed to medium-high and continue to beat until mixture has cooled to room temperature and stiff peaks form, about 5 minutes longer.
• Assembly: Cut each layer in half horizontally.
• Spread 1 cup of lemon filling evenly on each cake, (except the top layer) leaving 1/2-inch border around cake.
• Place top layer on cakes, smooth out any filling that may have leaked from the layers.
• Refrigerate while you make the icing.
• Spread icing on cake.

Steps:

• For the lemon cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter two 9-inch round cake pans, then insert a round of parchment cut to fit just inside the bottom of each pan. Butter the parchment, then flour the pans, tapping out any excess flour.
• In a medium bowl, stir together the cake flour, baking powder and salt.
• Using an electric, standing or hand mixer, beat the butter and granulated sugar until very fluffy and pale yellow, about 2 minutes. Add the eggs 1 at a time, then add the vanilla followed by the lemon zest and juice--the mixture may appear to break apart a bit or curdle, but it will come back together when the flour is added, so don't panic! Add about a third of the flour mixture and mix until just barely incorporated, then add half of the milk and blend. Repeat with one-third of the flour mixture, the rest of the milk and the rest of the flour mixture and blend until the ingredients are just completely incorporated.
• Scrape down the sides of the bowl in the middle of this process. Scrape the batter into the prepared pans, dividing it evenly and smoothing the tops. Bake until a wooden skewer or toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean, 22 to 26 minutes. Cool the cakes in the pans on a wire rack for 15 minutes, then run a knife around the insides of the pans to make sure the sides don't stick, place a wire rack over the top of each pan and invert the cake onto the wire rack. Peel off the parchment and cool completely.
• For the lemon filling: While the cakes are baking, make the lemon curd. Whisk the granulated sugar, lemon juice, butter, egg yolks and salt in a small nonreactive saucepan. Place the pan over medium-low heat and cook, whisking constantly, until thickened, about 10 minutes. Place the lemon curd in a small bowl, press a piece of plastic wrap on top of the surface and place it in the refrigerator to chill for at least 2 hours and up to a week.
• Briskly stir the lemon zest into the chilled curd to blend well. In a medium bowl, beat the heavy cream just until stiff peaks form. Gently fold into the lemon curd with a rubber spatula. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour but not more than 6 hours.
• For the lemon frosting: In a large bowl with an electric, standing or hand mixer, beat the confectioners' sugar with the butter on low speed until combined, then turn the beater speed to high and add the cream and lemon zest and juice. Beat until fluffy.
• To assemble the cake, place each cake layer upside down on a round of cardboard or a flat plate. Using an offset spatula or butter knife, frost the top and sides of each cake layer with a very thin layer of the lemon frosting. Place the cake layers in the freezer for 15 minutes or in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to firm up the thin layer of frosting.
• Place the bottom layer of cake on the platter that you will be serving it on and tuck thick strips of wax or parchment paper under the edges of the cake to keep the platter clean. Spread the lemon filling over the bottom layer, leaving a 1/2-inch border all around so the filling has a bit of room to spread when you place the second layer on top. Cover the filling with the raspberries, then place the second layer of cake on top.
• Frost the cake with the rest of the frosting. The cake will keep for up to 4 days in the refrigerator, though it's best within a day of making. Bring to room temperature before serving.

Steps:

• 1. To make the lemon cake, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter the bottom and sides of two 9-inch round cake pans. Dust the pans with flour and tap out the excess.
• 2. In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Stir together the dry ingredients with a whisk. Set aside.
• 3. In an electric stand mixer, using the paddle attachment or beaters, beat the butter on medium speed for about 30 seconds, or until creamy. Gradually add the sugar, increase the speed to medium-high, and continue to beat until the mixture is light, about 3 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl.
• 4. Add the whole eggs and egg yolks, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in the vanilla and lemon zest. Reduce the speed to low and gradually beat in he lemon juice (the batter will appear curdled at this point smooth out after you add the dry ingredients). Beat in the dry ingredients in 3 additions alternately with milk in 2 additions. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and beat for another 10 seconds. Scrape the batter into the prepared pans.
• 5. Bake the cakes for 20 to 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of each cake comes out clean. Cool the cakes in the pans on wire racks for 20 minutes. Invert the cakes onto the rakcs and cool completely.
• 6. To make the lemon filling, in a medium nonreactive saucepan, whisk together the yolks and sugar until combined. Whisk in the lemon juice, butter, and salt. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, for 5 to 6 minutes, or until the mixture turns opaque, thickens, and coats the back of the spoon. Do not let the filling boil, or it will curdle. Pour the mixture through a fine mesh sieve into a medium bowl. Stir in the lemon zest and allow the filling to cool.
• 7.Cover with plastic wrap, pressing directly onto the surface, and refrigerate for 1 hour, or until chilled.
• 8. In a clean bowl of the electric mixer, using the whisk attachment or beaters, beat the heavy cream on high speed until soft peaks form. Remove the lemon filling from the refrigerator and whisk until smooth. Using a rubber spatula, gently fold the whipped cream into the filling. Cover the bowl and refrigerate the filling until ready to assemble the cake.
• 9. To make the lemon frosting, in the large bowl of the electric mixer, using the paddle attachment or beaters, beat the butter on medium speed until creamy, about 30 seconds. Gradually beat in the confectioners' sugar on low speed. Add the cream, lemon juice, vanilla, and lemon zest. Increase the speed to medium-high, and beat for about 3 minutes, or until the frosting is light and fluffy.
• 10. To assemble the cake, place 1 cake layer on a serving plate. Pile the lemon filling onto the center using a small offset metal spatula, and spread it into an even layer, leaving a 1-inch border around the edge of the cake layer. Top with the second cake layer. Frost the top and sides of the cake with the lemon frosting. (If some of the filling oozes out from the middle, just blend it with the frosting around the sides of the cake.) Serve the cake immediately, or refrigerate and bring to room temperature before serving.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Grease two 8- or 9-inch round cake pans.
• Line with waxed paper; grease paper.
• In a medium bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, and salt.
• In a large bowl, beat together butter, sugar, and eggs with electric mixer at high speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
• Beat in lemon rind and juice.
• Add flour mixture to creamed mixture alternately with milk, beating between each addition just until well mixed.
• Pour into prepared pans.
• Bake for 35 minutes, or until centers spring back when lightly pressed with finger tip.
• Cool in pans on wire racks for 10 minutes; loosen around edges with knife; turn out onto wire racks; cool completely.
• For frosting: Beat butter in a medium bowl with electric mixer until soft.
• Stir in lemon rind; beat confectioners sugar alternately with lemon juice until smooth and spreadable.
• (makes enough frosting for one two-layer cake).

Steps:

• In a mixer fitted with a whisk attachment (or using a hand mixer), whip the egg whites until stiff but not dry. Refrigerate.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line two 13-by-18-inch baking sheets with parchment paper.
• In a mixer fitted with a paddle attachment (or using a hand mixer), cream the butter until smooth. With the mixer running, slowly add the sugar and mix. Add the vanilla, almond extract, and lemon zest and mix well. Sift the flour 3 times with the baking powder (this is to lighten the cakes). Add a third of the flour mixture to the butter mixture and mix. Add half of the milk to the butter mixture and mix. Add another third of the flour mixture and mix. Add the remaining milk and mix. Add the remaining flour and mix until smooth. Fold in the egg whites. Pour the batter into the prepared baking sheets, filling them about 1/2 full. Bake until firm to the touch 20 to 25 minutes. Let cool in the pan.
• To make the frosting, place egg whites and sugar in a mixing bowl and warm over hot water to dissolve the sugar (this is a Swiss meringue). Remove from the heat and whip with the whip attachment until cool and stiff. Add the butter, a little at a time, then add flavorings.
• Sandwich the 2 layers of cake together with 1/2 of the butter cream between them. Frost the top with the remaining half and use an icing comb to make wavy lines all over the surface. Chill for 2 hours. Then trim the edges and cut into bars.

Steps:

• Prepare and bake cake mix according to package directions for three 8 inch round pans. Cool cakes completely, then split each in half to make 6 layers.
• For the Lemon Custard: In a large saucepan or double boiler combine sugar and cornstarch. Mix well, then stir in egg yolks, lemon zest and lemon juice. slowly whisk in the boiling water. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture is thickened. Remove from heat and stir in butter. Set aside to cool.
• Place the bottom layer of cake on a serving plate. Spread with approximately 1/5 of the lemon custard. Repeat layers. Frost top and sides with Seven Minute Frosting (see footnote for link to recipe).

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375*F.
• Butter 2 8-inch round cake pans and line with parchment paper.
• Butter paper, dust with flour, knocking out the excess.
• Sift together flour, baking soda, and salt.
• Stir together milk and lemon juice (mixture will curdle)> Beat butter in a large bowl with an electric mixer until creamy.
• Gradually add sugar, beating until pale and fluffy.
• Add eggs 1 at a time, beating well after each addition.
• Alternately add flour and milk mixtures in batches, beginning and ending with flour, mixing at low speed until just combined.
• Divide batter between pans, smoothing tops.
• Bake in middle of oven for about 20 minutes.
• Cool in pans on racks 10 minutes, then invert onto racks, remove paper, and cool completely.
• To make Lemon Curd; whisk together juice, zest, sugar, and eggs in a 2 quart heavy saucepan.
• Stir in butter and cook over moderately low heat, whisking frequently, until curd is thick enough to hold marks of whisk and first bubble appears on surface, about 6 minutes.
• Transfer to a bowl and chill, it's surface covered with plastic wrap until cold, at least 1 hour.
• To make frosting, beat cream and confectioners sugar with cleaned beaters until it just holds stiff peaks.
• Fold one third of whipped cream into lemon curd to lighten, then fold in remaining whipped cream.
• To assemble cake; put 1 cake layer, rounded side up, on a cake plate and spread with one fourth of frosting.
• Top with second layer, rounded side up and spread top and sides with remaining frosting.
• Decorate with Candied Violets if desired.
• Note: Cake can be assembled 1 day ahead and chilled in a cake keeper or loosely covered with plastic wrap (use toothpicks to hold wrap away from frosting).
• Let stand at room temperature 30 minutes before serving.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease two 9-inch round baking pans.
• Stir flour, baking powder, and salt together in a medium mixing bowl.
• Heat milk and butter in a medium saucepan over low heat until milk is hot and butter is melted, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat.
• Beat sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract in a large mixing bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed until thickened and lightened in color. Reduce speed to low. Gradually add flour mixture and beat until blended. Slowly pour in hot milk mixture and beat until combined.
• Divide batter evenly between the baking pans.
• Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 30 minutes. Cool cakes in the pans for 10 minutes. Invert onto cooling racks to cool completely, about 15 minutes more.
• Make frosting while cakes are cooling. Beat cream cheese and butter with an electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. Add powdered sugar gradually on low speed. Add lemon zest and vanilla extract and beat until smooth.
• Carefully split each cooled cake in half horizontally. Spread lemon curd between each layer. Spread cream cheese frosting over the top and sides.

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 180C for a fan oven.
• Grease and line 3 tins. Then grate the rind of a lemon and then juice the lemon.
• Sift the flour and baking powder into a bowl. Stir in the margarine and sugar. Break the eggs into a cup and beat them in too.
• Stir in the lemon juice and rind. Split the mixture between the tins and bake for 20 minutes. Turn the cakes out onto a wire rack. Leave to cool.
• For the filling, break the eggs into a heatproof bowl and beat them. Add the sugar, lemon rind and the juice of a lemon.
• Cut the butter into chunks and add them. Put 5cm water into a pan. Heat until it bubbles. Put the bowl into the pan.
• Stir the mixture as it thickens. After 20 minutes, the mixture should coat the back of a spoon. (If not carry on heating) Take the pan off the heat.
• Spread a cake with half of the filling. Put another cake on top. Spread the rest of the filling over that cake. Put the final cake on top. Don't worry if some filling oozes out.
• Grate the rind of a lemon. Use a zester if you have one. For the icing, squeeze the juice from half of the lemon. Sift the icing sugar into a bowl.
• Stir the lemon juice into the icing until it is smooth. Spread the icing over the cake. Sprinkle the rind on top of the cake and enjoy :)

Steps:

• Place Meyer lemons in a 2-quart saucepan with 4 cups water. Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat and cover; simmer lemons until soft, about 25 minutes. Remove from heat and cool completely.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease two 9-inch cake pans, line the bottoms with parchment paper, and lightly grease the parchment paper.
• Remove any stems from the lemons. Slice into quarters and remove all seeds.
• Place the lemon quarters in the work bowl of a large food processor and process until fairly smooth, about 30 seconds. Add flour, sugar, butter, baking powder, and salt. Pulse about 10 times, just until the batter comes together into coarse crumbs with flecks of lemon rind. Pour in eggs and limoncello with the motor running; process until a thick, slightly grainy batter forms, 10 seconds or less.
• Divide batter between the prepared pans.
• Bake in the preheated oven until the tops are light gold and spring back lightly to the touch, and a toothpick inserted into the middle of each cake comes out clean, 20 to 23 minutes. Cool in the pans for about 5 minutes, then remove and finish cooling on baking racks.
• Place 1 cake layer on a cake plate and cover with lemon curd. Top with the second layer and frost just the top, or top and sides, with cream cheese frosting.

Steps:

• Sift flour with baking powder, baking soda and salt in a mixing bowl and set aside.
• Cream butter, sugar, and grated lemon zest with an electric mixer in separate mixing bowl until pale and fluffy.
• Beat eggs in 1 at a time, thoroughly.
• With electric mixer on low, add flour mixture in thirds, alternating with buttermilk.
• Add vanilla and beat until smooth.
• Divide batter evenly between 2 buttered and floured 9 inch cake pans.
• Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until cakes are golden and toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
• Cool.
• Removed cooled layers from pans.
• Cut layers in half horizontally with a serrated knife.
• Spread lemon curd evenly between the layers and stack on serving plate.
• Whip cream and confectioner's sugar together.
• Frost sides and top with whipped cream.
• Cover top and sides with sliced almonds, if desired.

Steps:

• Beat sugar and butter for curd in a bowl with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs and yolks slowly until well combined. Beat for 1 minute more; stir in lemon juice. The mixture will look curdled; do not panic.
• Pour mixture into a saucepan and cook over low heat until it becomes smooth, about 5 minutes. Increase heat to medium and cook, stirring constantly without letting it boil, until it thickens enough to leave a path on the back of a spoon when you drag a finger through it and reaches 170 degrees F (77 degrees C), about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in lemon zest.
• Let cool to room temperature, 20 to 30 minutes. Press plastic wrap on the surface to prevent a skin from forming and chill in the refrigerator.
• While filling cools, place a rack in the middle of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Butter and flour two 8- or 9-inch round cake pans.
• Sift cake flour, baking powder, and salt together in a medium bowl. Pulse 1/4 cup sugar and lemon zest together in a food processor until well combined.
• Beat butter and lemon sugar in a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 1 1/2 minutes. Add remaining sugar and beat until smooth, about 1 1/2 minutes. Beat in 1/4 of the milk until just blended. Add flour mixture alternately with remaining milk on low speed in 3 batches, scraping the bowl with a rubber spatula as needed; beat until just blended.
• Beat egg whites in another bowl on medium speed just until foamy. Add cream of tartar. Increase speed to medium-high and beat until stiff peaks form. Add 1/4 of the egg whites to the cake batter and gently fold in. Continue to gently fold in egg whites, being careful not to deflate the mixture. Divide batter between the prepared pans.
• Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center of each cake layer comes out clean, 35 to 40 minutes. Flip right side-up and let cool on a wire rack, 30 minutes to 1 hour.
• Cut cooled layers in half and layer with curd.
• Beat butter and lemon zest for frosting in a medium bowl until light and fluffy. Add confectioners' sugar and beat. Add lemon juice and beat for 1 minute. Frost the assembled cake as desired.

Steps:

• Make cake layers:
• Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 350°F. Brush cake pans with canola oil. Line bottom of each pan with a round of parchment or wax paper, then oil paper.
• Whisk together flour mix, salt, baking powder, and xanthan gum until combined well. Stir together milk, canola oil (1 cup), vanilla, and zest in another bowl.
• Beat together sugar and eggs in a large bowl with an electric mixer at medium speed just until combined, about 1 minute. Reduce speed to low and add flour and milk mixtures alternately in batches, beginning and ending with flour mixture and mixing until just combined.
• Divide batter evenly between cake pans, smoothing tops, and bake until a wooden pick or skewer inserted in center of each cake layer comes out clean, 35 to 40 minutes.
• Cool cake layers in pans on racks 10 minutes. Run a thin knife around edge of 1 cake layer and invert rack over cake pan, then invert cake onto rack. Repeat with second layer. Peel off paper and cool layers completely.
• Make curd:
• Whisk together zest, lemon juice, sugar, yolks, a pinch of salt, and guar gum in a 1-quart heavy saucepan. Add butter and cook over moderately low heat, whisking constantly, until curd is thick enough to hold marks of whisk and first bubbles appear on surface, about 5 minutes. Whisk in extract. Immediately pour curd into a bowl, then cover surface with wax paper and chill until cold, about 30 minutes.
• Make frosting:
• Beat butter with an electric mixer at high speed until light and fluffy, about 1 minute. Reduce speed to low and add confectioners sugar, lemon juice, extract, and zest, then mix until creamy and smooth, about 2 minutes.
• Frost cake:
• Halve each cake layer horizontally using a long serrated knife. Spread bottom half of each cake layer with half of lemon curd, then top with remaining cake layers to form two sandwiched cakes. Put 1 sandwiched cake on a cake stand or platter and spread a heaping 1/2 cup frosting over top, then cover with remaining sandwiched cake. Frost top and sides of cake with remaining frosting.

Steps:

• You'll need a pastry bag fitted with a 1/2-inch star tip to create the decorative rosettes.
• Begin making this cake two days before you plan to serve it.
• For lemon curd: Whisk first 4 ingredients in medium metal bowl.
• Set bowl over saucepan of simmering water (do not allow bottom of bowl to touch water). Whisk constantly until thickened and instant-read thermometer inserted into mixture registers 160°F, about 10 minutes.
• Remove bowl from over water. Add butter; whisk until melted.
• Transfer 2 cups curd to small bowl for spreading on cake layers. Reserve remaining curd for filling.
• Press plastic wrap directly onto surface of both curds. Chill overnight. (Can be made 3 days ahead. Keep chilled).
• For cake: Position rack in center of oven and preheat to 375°F.
• Line bottom of two 9-inch-diameter cake pans with 1 1/2-inch-high sides with parchment paper (do not grease pans or parchment).
• Using electric mixer, beat egg yolks and 7 tablespoons sugar in large bowl until mixture is very thick and slowly dissolving ribbons form when beaters are lifted, about 4 minutes.
• Using clean dry beaters, beat whites in another large bowl until soft peaks form.
• Add remaining 7 tablespoons sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating until stiff and glossy.
• Fold half of whites into yolk mixture, then sift half of flour and 1/2 teaspoon salt over and gently fold in until incorporated.
• Fold in remaining whites, then sift remaining flour over and fold in just until combined, being careful not to deflate batter.
• Divide batter between pans; smooth tops.
• Bake until tester inserted into center of cakes comes out clean, about 15 minutes.
• Cool in pans on racks.
• Run knife around edge of pans to loosen cakes.
• Invert cakes onto 9-inch-diameter cardboard rounds, tapping on work surface if necessary to release cakes.
• Cut each cake horizontally in half (layers will be thin). Peel off parchment.
• For syrup: Place sugar in small metal bowl. Add 1/2 cup boiling water; stir to dissolve sugar. Stir in lemon juice.
• For filling and frosting: Beat whipping cream and sugar in large bowl until peaks form.
• Add mascarpone to lemon curd in medium bowl; whisk until blended.
• Fold whipped cream into lemon-mascarpone mixture.
• Place 1 cake layer, flat side up, on platter.
• Brush with 1/2 of syrup.
• Spread 1/2 cup lemon curd over, then 1 cup lemon-mascarpone filling.
• Top with second cake layer; brush with 1/2 of syrup and spread with 1/2 cup lemon curd and 1 cup lemon-mascarpone filling.
• Repeat with third cake layer, syrup, lemon curd, and filling.
• Top with fourth cake layer.
• Brush with remaining syrup, then spread remaining lemon curd over.
• Spoon 2 cups lemon-mascarpone filling into pastry bag fitted with 1/2-inch star tip (to be used for rosettes).
• Spread remaining lemon-mascarpone filling as a frosting over sides of cake.
• Pipe small rosettes of frosting over top of cake, covering completely.
• Cover cake with cake dome; refrigerate at least 6 hours and up to 1 day.

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4 and line the base of two 20cm sandwich tins with baking parchment. Beat the butter and sugar together for 3 mins using an electric whisk until smooth and fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well between each addition and scraping down the sides of the bowl. Fold in the flour and baking powder until well incorporated, then fold in the yogurt, vanilla and lemon zest. Divide between the tins and bake for 30-35 mins until golden and a skewer inserted into the middles comes out clean.
• Meanwhile, make the drizzle. Tip the sugar, lemon juice and 100ml water into a small pan set over a medium heat and stir until dissolved. Add the lemon zest, bring to the boil and simmer for 2-3 mins until the zest has softened and the liquid is syrupy. Remove the zest to a sheet of baking parchment using a slotted spoon, and remove the syrup from the heat.
• Leave the sponges to cool for 10 mins in the tins, then pour over the warm drizzle. Leave to cool completely.
• For the icing, beat the butter and icing sugar together using an electric whisk for 4-5 mins until smooth, scraping down the sides of the bowl as you go. Add the vanilla and soft cheese and beat for 4 mins more until thick and creamy. Don't worry if it doesn't look thick at first - it will loosen, then thicken again as you beat it.
• Remove the cooled sponges from the tins. Spoon the icing into a piping bag fitted with a star nozzle. Put one sponge on a cake stand or serving plate, and pipe just under half the icing around the edge using a circular motion for a wavy effect. Pipe a little more icing over the empty middle (this doesn't need to be neat) and smooth with the back of a spoon. Chill for 45 mins-1 hr until set. Top with the second sponge, then pipe eight blobs of icing around the edge at regular intervals, leaving a gap between each. Spoon the candied lemon zest into each gap, then serve.