# What You Need:
→ Cake
01 - 2½ cups all-purpose flour
02 - 2½ teaspoons baking powder
03 - ½ teaspoon baking soda
04 - ½ teaspoon salt
05 - 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
06 - 2 cups granulated sugar
07 - 4 large eggs, room temperature
08 - 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
09 - 1 cup whole milk, room temperature
10 - Zest of 1 lemon
→ Lemon Curd Filling
11 - 4 large egg yolks
12 - ½ cup granulated sugar
13 - ⅓ cup fresh lemon juice
14 - Zest of 2 lemons
15 - ¼ cup unsalted butter, cubed
→ Whipped Cream Frosting
16 - 2 cups heavy cream, chilled
17 - ½ cup powdered sugar
18 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
→ Decoration
19 - Fresh berries such as strawberries, raspberries, or blueberries
20 - Edible flowers or lemon zest curls
# Steps:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and line a 9x13-inch sheet pan with parchment paper.
02 - In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
03 - In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar with an electric mixer until pale and fluffy, approximately 3-4 minutes.
04 - Add eggs one at a time to the butter mixture, beating well after each addition. Mix in vanilla extract and lemon zest.
05 - Add dry ingredients to wet mixture in three alternating parts with milk, beginning and ending with dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
06 - Pour batter into prepared pan and smooth top. Bake for 28-32 minutes until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool completely in pan on a rack.
07 - In a small saucepan, whisk together egg yolks, sugar, lemon juice, and zest. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until thickened, approximately 5-7 minutes. Remove from heat and whisk in butter until smooth. Transfer to a bowl, cover surface with plastic wrap, and chill until cold.
08 - Whip cold heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla until stiff peaks form. Keep refrigerated until ready to use.
09 - Once cake is cool, carefully slice horizontally to create two layers. Remove top layer and spread chilled lemon curd evenly over bottom layer. Replace top layer.
10 - Spread whipped cream frosting evenly over cake. Decorate with fresh berries, edible flowers, or lemon zest as desired.
11 - Chill assembled cake for at least 1 hour before serving to achieve clean slices.
