# What You Need:
→ Lemon cake
01 - 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 2 teaspoons baking powder
03 - 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
04 - 1/2 teaspoon fine salt
05 - 1 cup unsalted butter (2 sticks), room temperature
06 - 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
07 - 4 large eggs, room temperature
08 - Zest of 2 lemons
09 - 1/3 cup fresh lemon juice
10 - 1 cup whole milk, room temperature
11 - 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
→ Lemon pistachio frosting
12 - 1 cup unsalted butter (2 sticks), room temperature
13 - 4 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
14 - 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
15 - Zest of 1 lemon
16 - 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
17 - 1/2 cup finely ground unsalted pistachios
18 - Pinch of fine salt
→ Decoration
19 - 1/2 cup roughly chopped pistachios
20 - Zest of 1 lemon
21 - Edible flowers or spring sprinkles (optional)
# Steps:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and line three 8-inch round pans with parchment and set aside.
02 - Whisk the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl until evenly distributed.
03 - Using an electric mixer, beat the butter and granulated sugar on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
04 - Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the lemon zest and vanilla until combined.
05 - Combine the lemon juice with the milk. With the mixer on low, add the flour mixture and the lemon-milk alternately to the butter mixture, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients; mix just until combined.
06 - Divide batter evenly among the three prepared pans, smooth the tops, and bake 25–30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the centers comes out clean.
07 - Cool the layers in their pans for 10 minutes, then invert onto cooling racks and cool completely before filling.
08 - Beat the butter and cream cheese together until smooth. Add the powdered sugar in batches, then mix in lemon zest, lemon juice, ground pistachios, and a pinch of salt; beat until light and fluffy.
09 - Place one layer on a platter, spread an even layer of frosting, repeat with remaining layers, then frost the top and sides smoothly with remaining frosting.
10 - Press chopped pistachios and lemon zest onto the sides or top as desired, add edible flowers or sprinkles if using, and chill at least 30 minutes before slicing for clean layers.
