Lemon Layer Cake

YIELD: 1 double layer cake

Ingredients:

* 1 box of lemon cake mix

* 1/2 cup buttermilk

* 1/4 cup FRESH squeezed lemon juice

* 4 eggs

Cake Procedure

* Preheat oven to according to the temperature given on the cake mix box.

* Ignore all the additional ingredients asked for on the box.

* Add the above ingredients instead.

NOTE: I actually made two 9 X 13 layers. Just an fyi - it's doable.

The Lemon Pudding Layer

Ingredients:

* 3/4 cup sugar

* 1/4 cup cornstarch

* 2 1/2 cups milk

* 3 large egg yolks, lightly beaten

* 1/16 tsp salt - or a pinch

* 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice

* 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (optional)



Lemon Pudding Procedure

* Separate the egg from the yolk. Lightly beat the yolk and set aside.

* In a sauce pan whisk the sugar and the cornstarch together. (Leave the heat off)

* Add the milk. Whisk until smooth. (Heat is still off)

* Turn the heat on low. Just warm it up.

* While warming add the egg yolks, zest, and salt.

* Are you ready to stand at the saucepan full time? Then you can turn the heat to medium high.

* Stand guard and stir frequently at first. But don't go anywhere. As it thickens stir constantly.

* Once the pudding can stick to the back of a spoon (as you lift it out) - then it's done.

* When it gets there - remove the pan from the heat.

* Stir in the lemon juice. If you want the butter add it too.

* Pour into a dish and put saran on top.

* Stick it in the 'fridge to cool

The Frosting

Ingredients:

* 2 cups of powdered sugar

* 5 tablespoons of butter

* 1 tsp of lemon zest

* 1 - 2 teaspoons of lemon juice

The Frosting Procedure

* Place the butter in a saucepan over medium heat.

* Melt and add powdered sugar.

* Stir until all the lumps are gone.

* Add grated lemon zest.

* Add the lemon juice - but eyeball it to get the consistency you like.



How To Assemble The Lemon Layer Cake

NOTE: You can do this in two days.

* Make the cake first. Use the directions above!

* Cool the cake completely.

* Prepare the lemon pudding recipe and cool.

* Spoon the cooled pudding on the base cake layer. But don't spoon all the way to the edge. Leave some room for the pudding to spread when you add the top layer.

* Add the top cake layer.

* Prepare the lemon frosting recipe.

* The lemon frosting recipe will cover the TOP of this lemon layer cake. I found it was tough to make the frosting stick on the sides when I experimented. If you want to cover the sides of the cake you will need to double the lemon frosting recipe.