Lemon Meringue Cake

Bonnie at City Home/Country Home posted a delicious sounding Lemon Meringue Cake the other day, and I just knew I had to make my own version of it.  Lemon Meringue Pie is CG's favorite pie, so I knew this would be a hit.  This past weekend was the perfect time to try it out, since we were heading up to the cottage for WD's birthday and I love to bring dessert.(WD requested an ice cream cake, so this was not a birthday cake, just a cake.)

I modified my basic yellow cake recipe for a slightly denser cake.  I wanted it to be able to hold it's own against the lemon curd.  I whisked together 1/2 cup coconut flour, 1/2 cup white rice flour, 1/2 cup potato starch, 2 tbsps baking powder, 1/2 tsp baking soda, and 1/4 tsp salt.

In my stand mixer I beat together 1 1/2 sticks butter, 1 cup sugar, 4 eggs & 2 egg yolks, and the zest of one lemon, beating each addition until fully incorporated and the mixture was light and fluffy. I then mixed in the flour alternating with 1 cup sour cream.

I lined 2 cake pans with butter and parchment paper,

and divided the batter between the 2 cake pans.  Bake these at 375 for 20 minutes or until a tester comes out clean.

Meanwhile I made the lemon curd and swiss meringue frosting.  I like this Ina Garten lemon curd recipe.

I shared my swiss meringue recipe here in my Almond Macaroons.  To make Swiss Meringue frosting, I beat in 1 cup powdered sugar to the swiss meringue.

When the cake layers had baked and cooled, I assembled my cake.  I spread half the lemon curd on the first layer, then topped it with another, plus the rest of the lemon curd.

I spread out the frosting, pulling my offset spatula away from the cake to create fun spiky peaks.  I garnished the cake with some candied lemon.

To make the candied lemon, I made a simple syrup of 3/4 cup sugar, and 3/4 cup water heated until the sugar dissolves.

I sliced half a lemon into thin slices,

and simmered in the simple syrup for 15 minutes.  After removing the lemon slices and arranging them, you can save this lemony simple syrup for a fantastic limoncello martini.

Thanks for popping in and baking with me. I'm linking this up to Gluten-Free Homemaker's Gluten-Free Wednesdays and Bake with Bizzy.