Lemon Loaf Cake

Ingredients

• MAKE THE LIGHTENED LEMON LOAF
• Preheat oven to 350°F . Grease and line a 9x5-inch loaf pan with parchment paper
• In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside
• In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar with an electric mixer until light and f
• Beat in eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition
• Add vanilla extract and lemon zest, mixing until combined
• In a small bowl, combine sour cream and milk
• Alternately add the dry ingredients and the sour cream mixture to the butter mix
• Gently fold in lemon juice, being careful not to overmix and maintain batter str
• Pour into prepared pan and smooth the top
• Bake for 50-55 minutes until golden brown and a toothpick inserted in center com
• Cool in pan for 10 minutes before turning out onto a wire rack
• PREPARE THE LEMON SYRUP
• While cake bakes, combine lemon juice and sugar in a small saucepan
• Heat over medium heat, stirring until sugar completely dissolves
• While cake is still warm, brush syrup all over the surface for extra moisture an
• MAKE THE LEMON BUTTERCREAM
• In a large bowl, beat butter with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, abou
• Gradually add sifted powdered sugar, beating until smooth and creamy
• Add lemon juice, lemon zest, and salt. Beat until well combined and pipeable con
• Divide buttercream into portions and tint with food coloring to create yellow, p
• CREATE THE WHITE CHOCOLATE COLLAR
• Melt white chocolate gently in a double boiler or microwave in 30-second interva
• Spread a thin, even layer on parchment paper, sizing it to wrap around the loaf
• Let set until just firm but still flexible, about 10-15 minutes
• Carefully wrap around the cooled loaf, pressing gently to adhere. Trim excess if
• PIPE THE BUTTERCREAM FLOWERS
• Using star tips , pipe various flowers across the top of the cake
• Create roses by piping spirals, daisies with petal motions, and small blossoms i
• Embrace the all over the place garden look - imperfection adds charm and charact
• Using green buttercream and a leaf tip, pipe leaves between flowers for garden e
• TO SERVE
• Chill cake for 30 minutes to set buttercream before slicing
• Use a sharp serrated knife to cut through the chocolate collar cleanly
• Serve at room temperature for best flavor and texture
• Store covered at room temperature for up to 3 days