Four-Layer Cake with Lemon Curd
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter
- 8 large egg yolks
- 2 tablespoons (packed) grated lemon peel
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3 1/4 cups cake flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons cream of tartar
- 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups sugar
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
- 8 large egg whites, whisked until blended but not foamy
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup whole milk
- Mint sprigs
- Combine all ingredients in heavy medium nonaluminum saucepan.
- Whisk over medium heat until mixture thickens and candy thermometer registers 170F, about 8 minutes (do not boil).
- Pour into bowl and cool.
- Position rack in center of oven and preheat to 375F.
- Butter and flour four 9-inch-diameter cake pans with 1 1/2-inch-high sides.
- Sift flour, cream of tartar, baking soda and salt into medium bowl.
- Beat sugar and butter in large bowl until fluffy.
- Add egg whites in 4 additions, beating well after each addition.
- Beat in vanilla.
- Beat dry ingredients into butter mixture alternately with milk, beginning and ending with dry ingredients.
- Divide batter among prepared pans.
- Bake cakes until golden and tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 20 minutes.
- Transfer pans to racks and cool 5 minutes.
- Turn cakes out onto racks; cool completely.
- Layers will be thin.
- (Lemon curd and cakes can be made 1 day ahead.
- Cover and chill curd.
- Wrap cake layers separately and store at room temperature.)
- Place 1 cake layer on platter.
- Spread 6 tablespoons lemon curd over.
- Top with second cake layer.
- Spread 6 tablespoons curd over.
- Top with third layer.
- Spread 6 tablespoons curd over.
- Top with remaining layer.
- (Can be made 6 hours ahead.
- Cover cake and remaining curd separately; chill.
- Bring cake to room temperature before continuing.)
- Whisk remaining curd in saucepan over low heat until heated through and slightly thinner.
- Pour atop cake, spreading evenly and allowing some to run down sides.
- Garnish with mint.
sugar, lemon juice, butter, egg yolks, salt, cake flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, salt, sugar, unsalted butter, egg whites, vanilla, milk, sprigs
Taken from www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/four-layer-cake-with-lemon-curd-2779 (may not work)