Cake #34 Lemon Pound Cake and a happy birthday!

Cake #34 – Lemon Pound Cake – is actually the famous recipe from Lady Bird Johnson.  I can tell you, it is baking right now and smells fabulous!

This cake is shipping out later this week to our friend Shannon, up in Columbus, for her birthday!  I’m so excited to share a cake with her.  She said she loves lemon, so I’m hoping this fits the bill!  What I’m looking forward to is this fabulous glaze I’ll paint on when the cake is cooled – it is different than other glazes I’ve made before!  I think it is really going to make the cake’s flavors POP!    One confession:  I did not sift 3 times.  only once.  In Shannon’s honor, I’m breaking the rules!  lol!

LADY BIRD JOHNSON’S LEMON CAKE

3/4 Cup Softened Butter
1 1/4 Cups Sugar
8 Egg Yolks
2 1/2 Cups Flour
3 Teaspoons Baking Powder
1/4 Teaspoon Salt
3/4 Cup Milk
1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
2 t. lemon juice
1 Teaspoon Grated Lemon Rind

Preheat your oven to 325° F.  Cream the butter and sugar until fluffy.  In a separate bowl, beat the egg yolks until light and lemon colored.  Blend into the creamed mixture.  Sift together the flour, baking powder and salt.  Resift 3 times.  Add the sifted ingredients to the creamed mixture in thirds, alternating with the milk.  Beat the batter thoroughly after each addition.  Add the vanilla extract, lemon rind and lemon juice.  Beat for 2 minutes.  Bake in a greased Bundt pan in the oven for 1 hour or until the cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean.  Remove from the oven and cool 19 minutes before inverting on serving platter.

LEMON GLAZE

2 cups powdered sugar
1-2 T. fresh lemon juice
1-2 t. buttermilk
Zest of one fresh lemon