Pastel de limón
Pastel de Limón (also known as Torta de Limón) is a simple butter cake infused with the fresh flavor of lemon zest and juice.
Ingredients
Cake:
- 425 grams (15 ounces) all-purpose flour
- 3 tablespoons grated lemon zest + 3 tablespoons lemon juice (from about 3 lemons)
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- ¾ cup buttermilk , room temperature
- 3 large eggs + 1 large egg yolk
- 18 tablespoons (2¼ sticks) unsalted butter, cut into 18 pieces and softened
- 400 grams (14 ounces) granulated sugar
Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 8 oz (226g) full-fat block cream cheese , softened
- 8 oz (113g/ 8 ablespoons) unsalted butter, softened but still cool to the touch
- 8 oz confectioners' sugar
- 1 tablespoon Nestlé dry whole milk (optional)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 1 to 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice , if needed to make more spreadable
Instructions
For the Cake:
- Adjust the oven rack to the lower-middle position and heat the oven to 350 degrees. Butter and flour a 12-cup Bundt pan.
- In a large bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In a medium bowl, combine the lemon zest and lemon juice, vanilla, and buttermilk. In a small bowl, gently whisk the eggs and yolk to combine.
- In a standing mixer fitted with a flat beater, cream butter and sugar at medium-high speed until pale and fluffy for about 3 minutes, scrape down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula. Reduce to medium speed and add half of the eggs, mixing until incorporated, about 15 seconds. Repeat with the remaining eggs; scrape down the bowl again.
- Reduce to low speed; add about one-third of the flour mixture, followed by half of the buttermilk mixture, mixing until just incorporated after each addition (about 5 seconds).
- Repeat using half of the remaining flour mixture and the remaining buttermilk mixture. Scrape the bowl and add the remaining flour mixture; mix at medium-low speed until the batter is thoroughly combined, about 15 seconds.
- Remove the bowl from the mixer and fold the batter once or twice with a rubber spatula to incorporate any remaining flour. Scrape into the prepared pan. Bake until the top is golden brown and a wooden skewer or toothpick inserted into the center comes out with no crumbs attached, about 50 minutes.
Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting:
- Using a clean, dry mixer bowl and paddle, mix cream cheese, remaining butter, and remaining vanilla on medium-low speed until combined, about 30 seconds.
- Reduce speed to low, slowly add confectioners' sugar, and mix until smooth, about 1 minute. Increase speed to medium-high and beat until light and fluffy, 1 to 2 minutes. Spread frosting evenly on each over-cooled cake before serving.
Notes
- Storage: If unfrosted, keep the cake well-wrapped at room temperature for up to 3 days. If frosted, store it in the refrigerator. The texture becomes denser, like pound cake, the next day.
- Make Ahead: Bake the cake a day in advance, store it covered at room temperature, and then frost before serving for the best texture and flavor.
- Freezing: Wrap the cooled, unfrosted cake tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, or place it in an airtight container. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature, then frost before serving.
Nutrition
Nutrition Facts
Pastel de limón
Amount per Serving
Calories
576
% Daily Value*
Fat
30
g
46
%
Saturated Fat
18
g
113
%
Trans Fat
1
g
Polyunsaturated Fat
1
g
Monounsaturated Fat
8
g
Cholesterol
118
mg
39
%
Sodium
341
mg
15
%
Potassium
103
mg
3
%
Carbohydrates
72
g
24
%
Fiber
1
g
4
%
Sugar
44
g
49
%
Protein
6
g
12
%
Vitamin A
973
IU
19
%
Vitamin C
2
mg
2
%
Calcium
67
mg
7
%
Iron
2
mg
11
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Nutrition Disclaimer: The nutritional information provided is an estimate, calculated using standard data sources. Actual values may vary based on ingredient brands, preparation methods, and portion sizes. This information is for general reference only and should not be considered a substitute for professional dietary advice.
