A moist, tart cake that tastes like summer, perfect for birthdays or any celebration. This Pink Lemonade Cake combines a delightful tartness with a creamy lemon frosting, making it an irresistible summer treat!
Ingredients
For the Cake Layers:
- 2 ½ cups cake flour
- 1 ½ cups sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- 1 ½ sticks unsalted butter (softened)
- 4 large eggs
- ¾ cup frozen pink lemonade concentrate (thawed)
- ½ cup milk
- 2 teaspoons lemon extract
- Zest of 1 lemon
- Pink food coloring gel
For the Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 2 sticks unsalted butter (softened)
- 16 oz cream cheese (softened)
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice (optional)
- 1 teaspoon lemon extract
- Zest from 1 lemon
- 6 to 6 ½ cups confectioners’ sugar
Directions
Preheat Oven:
- Set the oven to 350°F. Grease and flour two 8×2 inch round pans.
Mix Dry Ingredients:
- In a mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, salt, and baking powder. Whisk for 30 seconds to blend.
Prepare Wet Ingredients:
- In a separate bowl, combine eggs, pink lemonade concentrate, lemon extract, zest, and milk. Mix well.
Combine Ingredients:
- With the mixer on low speed, add sliced butter to the dry ingredients until it looks like coarse sand. Gradually add half of the egg mixture, then mix on medium speed for 1 ½ minutes until thick and fluffy. Add pink gel color.
Add Remaining Wet Ingredients:
- Slowly add the remaining egg mixture in two batches, mixing for 20 seconds after each addition.
Bake:
- Divide the batter between the pans and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool in pans for 10 minutes, then turn out onto racks to cool completely.
Make Frosting:
- Beat butter until smooth. Add cream cheese, lemon juice, and zest, mixing until blended. Gradually add powdered sugar until well blended.
Assemble Cake:
- Fill and frost the cake layers with lemon cream cheese frosting. Decorate as desired.
Tips:
- Reverse Creaming Method: Ensures a denser, velvety cake texture.
- Chill Frosting: If the frosting is too soft, chill it before using.
- Decorating: Use piping tips for elegant designs.
Key Takeaway:
This Pink Lemonade Cake combines a delightful tartness with a creamy lemon frosting, making it an irresistible summer treat!
FAQ
1. Can I use regular lemonade concentrate instead of pink? Yes, you can use regular lemonade concentrate, but the cake will not have the same pink hue. You can add a few drops of red food coloring to achieve the pink color.
2. How can I make the cake layers more moist? To make the cake layers more moist, you can add a few tablespoons of sour cream or Greek yogurt to the batter.
3. Can I prepare the cake layers in advance? Yes, you can bake the cake layers in advance. Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and store at room temperature for up to 2 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
4. How can I make the frosting less sweet? To reduce the sweetness of the frosting, you can decrease the amount of confectioners’ sugar and add more cream cheese or a pinch of salt to balance the flavor.
Chef’s Advice
For a truly professional finish, use the reverse creaming method described in the recipe. This technique involves mixing the butter into the dry ingredients before adding the wet ingredients, resulting in a finer crumb and velvety texture. Additionally, always make sure your ingredients, especially the butter and cream cheese, are at room temperature before you begin. This ensures a smooth and consistent batter and frosting. Enjoy this refreshing Pink Lemonade Cake as a delightful treat for any occasion, and don’t forget to have fun decorating it with your favorite piping designs!
The Joy of Lemon and Pink
The Pink Lemonade Cake is a beautiful celebration of tart and sweet flavors that instantly bring to mind warm, sunny days. The combination of pink lemonade concentrate and lemon zest infuses the cake layers with a refreshing tang that perfectly balances the creamy, rich frosting. Each bite is like a burst of sunshine, making it an ideal dessert for summer parties and celebrations.
Versatile and Fun to Make
This cake’s versatility is one of its best features. While it calls for pink lemonade concentrate, you can easily substitute with regular lemonade concentrate or even experiment with other citrus flavors like lime or orange. The addition of pink food coloring gives the cake its signature look, but feel free to adjust the color to suit your theme or preference. The lemon cream cheese frosting not only complements the cake perfectly but also provides a smooth canvas for creative decorations.
Perfect for Special Occasions
Whether it’s a birthday, a family gathering, or just a casual summer get-together, the Pink Lemonade Cake is sure to impress your guests. Its vibrant color and zesty flavor make it a standout centerpiece on any dessert table. Plus, the process of making and decorating the cake can be a fun and rewarding experience, especially when shared with friends or family members who enjoy baking.
Simple Tips for Success
To achieve the best results, remember to follow the tips provided in the recipe. Using the reverse creaming method ensures a dense and velvety cake texture, while chilling the frosting makes it easier to work with, especially on warm days. Decorating the cake with piping tips can add an elegant touch, making your cake look as good as it tastes. Don’t forget to experiment and have fun with it—baking should be an enjoyable experience!
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Pink Lemonade Cake is a delightful and refreshing dessert that brings together the tangy flavors of lemonade and the creamy richness of cream cheese frosting. Perfect for any celebration or simply as a treat to brighten up your day, this cake is sure to become a favorite. Gather your ingredients, follow the steps, and enjoy creating a cake that not only looks stunning but also tastes like a slice of summer. Happy baking!