Butter and lemon cake

Butter and Lemon Cake – Family Recipe

If you are looking for a delicious recipe that brings a touch of nostalgia and warmth, this butter and lemon cake is the perfect choice. Inspired by traditional family recipes, this cake combines the fluffy texture of a loaf with the invigorating aroma of lemon and the subtle sweetness of cocoa. It is an ideal dessert to be served with a cup of warm milk or aromatic coffee, and it will surely impress everyone!

Preparation time: 20 minutes
Baking time: 25 minutes
Total time: 45 minutes
Number of servings: 8

Ingredients:
- 200 g butter (at room temperature)
- 6 eggs (separated into whites and yolks)
- 1 cup of sugar (approximately 200 g)
- 3 packets of vanilla sugar (or 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract)
- 1 tablespoon of cocoa
- 1 lemon (for zest and juice)
- 1 cup of flour (approximately 140 g)
- A pinch of salt

Helpful tips for ingredients:
- Make sure the butter is soft for easy mixing with the sugar. Let it sit at room temperature for a few hours before starting.
- Use a fresh lemon, as its zest will add an intense and pleasant flavor to the cake.
- If you want a more pronounced lemon flavor, you can add more juice or zest, according to your preferences.

Preparation:

1. Preparing the base mixture: Start by separating the eggs. Place the yolks in a large bowl and the whites in another bowl. Using a mixer, beat the soft butter together with the sugar and yolks until the sugar is completely dissolved and the mixture becomes creamy. This process should take about 5-7 minutes.

2. Lemon aroma: Once you have a homogeneous mixture, add the grated lemon zest and a tablespoon of juice. Mix well to combine the flavors.

3. Whipping the egg whites: In another bowl, add a pinch of salt to the egg whites and beat them until foamy. Then, add the vanilla sugar and continue beating until the egg whites become firm and shiny. It is essential to have well-beaten egg whites to achieve a fluffy texture for the cake.

4. Combining the ingredients: Using a spatula, gradually add the beaten egg whites to the butter mixture, gently folding from the bottom up to avoid losing air from the egg whites. This step is crucial for achieving a fluffy and airy cake.

5. Adding the flour: Sift the flour and gradually add it to the cake mixture, mixing again with gentle movements from the bottom up.

6. Preparing the cocoa mixture: From the obtained mixture, take a few tablespoons (approximately 3-4) and mix them with cocoa in a small bowl. This will be the mixture that adds a chocolate note to the cake.

7. Assembling the cake: Grease a loaf pan with butter and pour the white mixture into it. Then, along the middle, add the cocoa mixture, gently spreading it with a fork to create a beautiful pattern.

8. Baking: Preheat the oven to 180°C (medium heat) and bake the cake for 5 minutes at this temperature. Then, reduce the temperature to 160°C (low heat) and leave it in the oven for another 20 minutes. Check if it is baked by doing the toothpick test – insert a toothpick in the middle of the cake; if it comes out clean, it is ready!

9. Finishing: After removing the cake from the oven, let it cool for a few minutes, then dust it with powdered sugar for an elegant appearance.

Serving suggestions: This butter and lemon cake is delicious both warm and cold. You can serve it alongside a cup of warm milk or aromatic coffee. Additionally, a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a berry sauce would add extra flavor.

Possible variations: You can experiment with different flavors by adding a few drops of almond or orange extract. Also, instead of cocoa, you can use melted chocolate for a cake with a more intense flavor.

Nutritional information (per serving):
Calories: approximately 240 kcal
Fats: 15 g
Carbohydrates: 24 g
Proteins: 4 g

Frequently asked questions:
- Why separate the eggs? Separating the eggs helps create a more airy texture, as the whipped egg whites add volume to the cake.
- Can I use salted butter? It is recommended to use unsalted butter to better control the salt level in the recipe.

This butter and lemon cake is not just a recipe, but also a pleasant memory of time spent with loved ones. Share it generously with your dear ones and enjoy the beautiful moments spent together. Enjoy your meal!