This lemon cake with blueberry drizzle and lemony sweetened whipped cream has Happy Birthday written all over it. Do you see it?
Okay, so maybe it’s the candle that gives it away, but I am telling you…the next time you host a birthday dinner – do yourself a favor, make this cake.
Chels and Nick were born three years and three days apart, making June (our second) birthday season of the year. Dom and Luc have April covered, and Champy and I actually share a birthday in September. (Ours, not so much a season as much as one very festive span of 24 hours.)
When the kids were little, we of course hosted our fair share of birthday parties where their cute little munchkin friends dotted our home much like these fresh and summery blueberries dot our homemade lemon cake. And although we haven’t seen a Disney princess or a super hero in a very long time, this cake makes growing up without the obvious bells and whistles of childhood, very special, still.
So, as luck would have it, during our ride home from picking Chels up in Albany Sunday night, I was flipping through the latest issue of Food & Wine, and on page 47 came across a recipe called, Party Cake with Whipped Cream and Raspberries. Oh, happy day! As I had spent the majority of my day brainstorming ideas for the kind of cake I wanted to make, knowing I wanted to incorporate fruit…my brain could finally take a rest…
This was a fun one.
I changed up its flavor profile a bit by adding lemon in place of vanilla, using blueberries instead of raspberries and increasing the whipped cream and adding a whisper of lemon flavor.
This cake made me happy.
But more importantly, it made the kids happy…especially the lemon flavored whipped cream.
And although Miss Luc couldn’t be home to share first hand in our celebration, we skyped her in for the birthday song. I will take it!
Gahhh – I have about 2 minutes to get this posted before Nick’s 20th birthday runs out. Such pressure! But so worth it!
Happy Birthday, my love!
Buon Appetito!
Print
Lemon Cake with Blueberry Drizzle & Sweetened Whipped Cream
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter, softened (plus more for greasing)
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
- 1 Tbsp. baking powder
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 3/4 cup whole milk, at room temperature
- 3 large eggs, at room temperature
- 3 tsp. pure lemon extract, divided
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 2 Tbsp. confectioners’ sugar
- 6 Tbsp. blueberry preserves mixed with 3 tsp. hot water
- Blueberries for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 F.
- Line a 9-inch square baking pan with foil, allowing 2 inches of overhang on two sides. Butter the foil.
- In a large mixing bowl, using a hand mixer at low speed, mix the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder and salt.
- Add the 1 1/2 sticks of softened butter, milk, eggs and 2 tsp. lemon extract.
- Beat at medium speed until smooth, 1 – 2 minutes.
- Spread the batter in the pan and bake for about 45 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the cake comes out clean.
- Let cool on a rack.
- In a large mixing bowl, using a hand mixer, beat the cream with the confectioners’ sugar and 1 tsp. lemon extract at high speed until firm, 1 to 2 minutes.
- Un-mold the cake; peel off the foil.
- Spread the blueberry preserves over the cake and top with whipped cream.
- Garnish with blueberries and serve.
{Adapted from Food & Wine.}
Ciao!
Happy birthdays all around!! It was my mom’s birthday this past week and I didn’t get to make her a cake because we went out to eat…but I’m thinking we need a redo with this on the menu!
Thanks, friend! And happy birthday to your mom! I think you guys would really enjoy this! 🙂
This is such a fun birthday cake! I usually ask for carrot cake on my birthday, but I’d be really happy to have this one as well. 🙂 Lemon cake is always such a happy dessert.
Oooooh – I love carrot cake! I think I’ll request that this year! I think you’d really like this ‘happy’ cake, Erin! Thanks, friend!
This looks wonderful! I love the lemon/bluebery combo 🙂
Thanks, dear!
OK Annie, feel free to send one of these on February 10th as I’d gladly take it!
The batter alone looks scrumptious. Love the lemon in the whipped cream, too. It looks like the perfect Summer cake.
I would love to!!! Consider it done, my friend!! Thanks so much, Kevin!
Lemon and blueberries make such a perfect summer combination and what a lovely way to celebrate a birthday! 🙂
Thanks, Christin! We had a lovely day! 🙂
What an awesome birthday cake! I feel like my dad would LOVE this one!
That is wonderful!! Enjoy! 🙂
This cake sounds perfect! I love all the changes you made too! Blueberry and lemon is pretty awesome together 🙂 Birthday seasons are always so much fun! My husband and my birthday are just about a month apart so I need to start brainstorming cake ideas too! This one would be perfect for me!
Thanks, Izzy! You can never have too much cake, I say! Let the parties begin! 🙂
I love the flavors here, Annie! Can’t wait to make this!
Oh yay! Enjoy, my friend! 🙂
My brother and I have really close birthdays, I was actually due on his birthday but came a little later! I love this cake and it looks like a perfect birthday cake too. So sweet of you to make this!
Awh! That is very special! Thanks, dear!
Yum – I love these kinds of cakes, Annie. It looks so great – I’d love a big slice. Your photos are gorgeous! Happy bday to your son – wishing him all the best!
Thank you, Geraldine! Nick thanks you, too! 🙂
Annie, I don’t see birthday written on this cake either, but you can freely send this one on my Birthday! Lemon and blueberry…oh boy! Wait! My Birthday is the way too long thus you can send it ASAP. If I approve it, we can repeat later on, right? 🙂
Hahah! Happily! I’m packing it up as we speak! Thanks, friend! 🙂
This is an epic birthday cake – I can never get lemon cake to turn out – I’ve got to try this recipe!
Wow – thank you so much, Sam!! I’d love to know what you think, Ms. Pancake Warrior…love it!! 🙂
Annie, I don’t see birthday written anywhere on this cake, but I do see my name written in giant letters top and center! 🙂 I love that you switched up the flavors and used lemon and bluberries- culinary genius right there! This cake looks absolutely dreamy and I must have it ♡ No if’s, and’s or But’s about it! So fun that your children’s birthdays are so close (not to mention convenient- hello present shopping at once)! Love hearing your stories about your family.. always so heart warming. Thanks for sharing. And making me NEED some cake. My thighs don’t thank you though. Lol. Cheers, pretty lady!
Hahhaah! Yep – I see it! It’s right there in the center!! You are awesome! So glad you enjoyed the post and the recipe! Thanks, friend!
Oh how I wish I could have a slice of that cake right now. I’m seriously craving now!
Coffee’s on!! 🙂 🙂
Lovely cake Annie! Love the combination of flavors, blueberries and lemon sound awesome! Pinned!
Lemon and blueberry has become one of my favorite summer flavor combinations! Thanks, Mira!
Aahh, what a lovely cake! It looks sooo fluffy and mouth-wathering. Perfect for birthday celebrations! As I can guess from your writing, you had a wonderful weekend!
Thanks for sharing this delicious recipe with us!
Awhhh! We did have a lovely weekend; and I trust you did as well! How was your son’s celebration? Thank you so much for stopping by, Simone!
Yes, we had such a wonderful weekend, too! The whole family was here and I enjoyed every minute. And guess what, I also made a cake with blueberries (a blueberry cheesecake, as this is my son’s favorite cake). What a coincidence again! 😉 But I’ll definitely try your cake next time they’re all here as I can imagine that it might become someone else’s favorite! 😉 I’ll keep you informed, Annie!
So happy to hear your weekend was fabulous! You know what? I’ve never made cheesecake and I’m thinking that needs to change! I’m sure yours is divine!! Thanks, friend! Have a lovely day! 🙂
Definitely a fabulous birthday cake! I love, love, love the flavors you’ve got going on – sweet and rich cake, balanced by a citrus zing and fresh sweetness of blueberries. Perfecto 🙂
It’s a classic! Thanks, dear! 🙂
This cake looks incredible, Annie! I love the lemon and blueberry combo, sounds so refreshing! I could just dive right into this cake! Delicious!
Thanks so much, Gayle!
Well hello there Mr. Cake. My birthday isn’t until November. . .but we can always pretend. 🙂 Annie this looks absolutely divine. You can never beat the union of blueberries and lemon. So light and refreshing. . .perfect for summer.
Yes, friend, I recommend you pretend! Thank you so much, my dear! Enjoy!
Whats better than a buttery cake, blueberry drizzle, lemon and whipped cream!? I love cakes like this! And it makes a lovely birthday cake for sure! And since it’s birthday season, why not make another? After-all, this one will need replacing before the end of the month, right? Delicious Annie!!
I like the way you think, Traci!! 🙂