Description
A vibrant, tender lemon cake layered with fresh-huckleberry bursts and cream cheese frosting. Bright citrus and fruity notes balance the richness perfectly.
Ingredients
1 cup (230g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
1 1/4 cups (250g) granulated sugar
1/2 cup (100g) light brown sugar, packed
4 large eggs, room temperature
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
3 cups (375g) all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup (240ml) buttermilk, room temperature
3 medium lemons, zest and juice (1/4 cup juice total)
1 1/2 cups huckleberries (fresh or frozen; do not thaw frozen)
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour, for tossing berries
8 oz (227g) full-fat cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup (60g) unsalted butter, softened
2 cups (250g) powdered sugar
1 teaspoon lemon zest
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C). Grease two 9-inch round cake pans.
In a bowl, cream butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs one at a time, then mix in vanilla.
Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually blend dry ingredients into butter mixture.
Fold in buttermilk, alternated with flour mixture, ending with 1/2 the flour.
Zest and juice lemons. In a separate bowl, toss huckleberries with 1 tbsp flour. Gently stir into batter.
Divide batter between prepared pans. Bake 25-30 minutes, until an inserted toothpick comes out clean.
Cool pans 10 minutes before unmolding. Let cakes cool completely.
For frosting: Beat cream cheese and softened butter until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar and lemon zest. Add 2-3 tbsp milk to reach desired consistency.
Stack cooled layers with frosting between and on top. Dust with additional powdered sugar for serving.
Notes
Buttermilk substitution: Combine 1 cup milk (non-dairy okay) with 1 tbsp lemon juice, let sit 5 minutes if using ‘hooded’ buttermilk.
Freeze unused huckleberries with 1 tbsp flour mixed in. No alcohol/alcohol-based ingredients used.
Test cake doneness at 25 minutes; oven variation may require adjustment.
- Prep Time: 30
- Cook Time: 30
- Category: Trend Recipes
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American