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Paul Hollywood’s Lemon Drizzle Cake
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This is my favorite cake of all time. I love it when we have to judge this round on The Great British Bake Off! The perfect lemon drizzle has a light and airy sponge and a sharp, zesty crunchy topping. My version has quite an intense lemony flavor, but other than that it’s a total classic and I don’t think you should mess with those classics. The only thing to remember is to pour over the drizzle while the cake is still warm.
Excerpt from BAKE: My Best Ever Recipes for the Classics by Paul Hollywood.
8 to 10
Slices
1 stick plus 4 tbsp (175g) butter, softened, plus extra to grease the pan
3/4 cup plus 2 tbsp (175g) superfine sugar
Finely grated zest of 2 lemons
3 large eggs
1 1/3 cups (175g) all-purpose flour
2 1/2 tsp baking powder
A pinch of fine salt
About 2 tbsp whole milk
Juice of 1 lemon
2 tbsp granulated sugar
Ingredients
-
1
stick plus 4 tbsp (175g) butter, softened, plus extra to grease the pan
-
¾
cup plus 2 tbsp (175g) superfine sugar
-
Finely grated zest of 2 lemons
-
3
large eggs
-
1⅓
cups (175g) all-purpose flour
-
2½
tsp baking powder
-
A pinch of fine salt
-
About 2 tbsp whole milk
Drizzle Topping
-
Juice of 1 lemon
-
2
tbsp granulated sugar
Directions
-
01Heat your oven to 350°F. Grease and line a 2-pound (1kg) loaf pan with parchment paper.
-
02In a large bowl, beat the butter, sugar and lemon zest together, using a hand-held electric whisk, until the mixture is very light and fluffy.
-
03Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add the flour, baking powder and salt and mix until smoothly combined. Add just enough milk to achieve a dropping consistency.
-
04Spoon the mixture into the prepared loaf pan and gently smooth the surface to level it. Bake for 45–50 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
-
05Once you’ve removed the cake from the oven, make the drizzle topping: mix the lemon juice and sugar together in a small pitcher. While the cake is still warm, use a toothpick to prick holes all over the top of the cake then trickle over the lemon drizzle. Leave to cool completely in the pan before removing.
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Reviews
March 11, 2023
2-lb loaf pan ? What is that ?
That type of measurement is meant for breadmakers who weigh their dough before baking. This is not bread. What is the actual measurement of the loaf pan in inches. I’m not a very experienced baker and I love to learn from recipes not be confused by them.
August 14, 2022
inexact measurements
inexact measurements and the loaf pan size is uncommon in the states. Its nice with cardamom and sumac though.
July 26, 2022
Excellent cake
This is a solid recipe. My guests loved it. The combination of tart and sweet really works, especially because it's not evenly distributed through the cake, so each bite is a surprise. It's a bit too rich for my taste. Next time I might swap out 1/3 of the butter for oil.
January 12, 2023
Question
I have a 1 lb loaf pan. I wonder, if I half the measurements, will it turn out right? I might try it and report on the results, unless Milk Street has a better suggestion.
December 18, 2022
Question
It looks as if there is sugar sprinkled on top, instead of a glaze, is that right?
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