MEYER LEMON BUTTERMILK BUNDT CAKE
You’ll need a Bundt pan with a capacity of 10 cups. The method of coating the pan used in this recipe should ensure a successful extraction, but even if it doesn’t and the cake comes out in less than one complete piece, you can use it to make a trifle.
Serves: 12-16 For the filling:
1/2 cup (125 mL) Meyer lemon curd (see related recipe)
1/2 cup (125 mL) cream cheese, cubed, at room temperature
For the cake:
1 tbsp (15 mL) solid shortening
3 1/4 cups plus
1 tbsp (825 mL) flour
1 tsp (5 mL) baking powder
1 tsp (5 mL) baking soda
1/2 tsp (2.5 mL) kosher salt
12 tbsp (180 mL) unsalted butter, at a cool room temperature
1 1/2 cups (375 mL) granulated sugar
3 large eggs
2 tbsp (30 mL) finely grated zest and
1/4 cup (60 mL) juice from
2 Meyer lemons
2 cups (500 mL) regular or low-fat buttermilk
For the glaze:
2 cups (500 mL) confectioners’ sugar
2-3 tbsp (30-45 mL) fresh Meyer lemon juice
1. For the filling: Whisk together the Meyer lemon curd and cream cheese until smooth, with no white streaks.
2. For the cake: Combine the shortening and 1 tbsp (15 mL) of flour in a small bowl, to create a paste.
3. Use your fingers or a paper towel to generously coat the inside of the Bundt pan with the paste, systematically working it into each crevice. Aim to evenly cover all the surfaces, including the centre tube and the uppermost edges because the baked cake will fill the entire pan. Get rid of any excess paste.
4. Whisk together the remaining flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a separate bowl.
5. Place the cool butter in the bowl of a stand mixer or handheld electric mixer; beat on low speed until the butter is smooth, waxy and shiny on the sides of the bowl. Add the granulated sugar; increase the speed to medium and beat until well incorporated.
6. Stop to scrape down the bowl. Add the eggs one at a time, spooning in 1 tbsp (15 mL) of the flour mixture between the second and third eggs; this will help to reduce lumps in the batter.
7. Stop to scrape down the bowl, then add the zest and juice, beating on low speed.
8. Add one-third of the flour mixture to the egg mixture, beating on low speed. Add 1 cup (250 mL) of the buttermilk and beat on low speed until well incorporated. Stop to scrape the bowl and beaters.
9. Add the remaining flour and buttermilk, alternately, in three additions, beating on low speed after each one. Once the batter is almost smooth, stop the mixer, remove its bowl, scrape the paddle/ beaters and bowl and stir the batter gently to combine all the ingredients.
10. Spoon half the batter into the Bundt pan. Spoon the Meyer lemon curd mixture over the batter, then top with the remaining cake batter, making sure to cover the filling completely.
11. Gently rap the pan on the counter to deflate any air bubbles, then place the pan in the cold oven (middle rack).
12. Turn on the oven to 300 F (150 C); bake for 20 minutes, then increase the temperature to 325 F (160 C) and bake another 20 minutes. Finally, increase the temperature to 350 F (175 C) and bake for 30 minutes, until the cake is just pulling away from the edges of the pan.
13. Cool completely on a wire rack, in the pan and without inverting, for 1 hour.
14. Set a rack over a baking sheet. Invert the cooled cake pan over the rack and tap on the top of the pan. Take a deep breath and lift straight up. If some parts of the cake remain in the pan, see if a toothpick will help pry them loose, then reconstruct the cake without shame.
15. For the glaze: Whisk together the confectioners’ sugar and 2 tbsp (30 mL) of the lemon juice in a bowl, until very smooth.
16. As needed, use more lemon juice, but keep the consistency thick and opaque. Spoon this glaze over the cake, coating the entire surface and letting it flow down the sides to fill all the nooks and crevices. The glaze helps keep the cake both moist and fresh, so be generous and use all of it.
17. Let the glaze set, about 20 minutes, then use two wide spatulas or a cake lifter to transfer the cake to platter or cake stand.
Note: The cake can be stored under cover at room temperature for up to 3 days.