By Mary Capone

Gluten-Free Luscious Lemon Cake

MAKES TWO 9-INCH LAYERS

© Thinkstock 2012/Hemera

With its sweet-tart lemon curd filling and lemon frosting, this moist cake by Mary Capone is a crowd pleaser. The recipe makes two 9-inch rounds. For two 12-inch rounds, triple the recipe. For a three-tier layer cake (two 6-inch rounds, two 9-inch rounds and two 12-inch rounds), multiply the recipe amounts by 6. See cake-building instructions, here. This recipe can be made egg free with good results; see instructions here.

4 large eggs*
2 cups sugar
1 cup coconut milk or milk of choice
1 cup mild vegetable oil of choice
¼cup fresh lemon juice (about 1 lemon)
1 tablespoon lemon zest (about 1 lemon)
1 teaspoon lemon extract
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2½ cups Mary’s Flour Blend  or gluten-free blend of choice
1 teaspoon xanthan gum
½ teaspoon fine-grind sea salt
1 tablespoon baking powder

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease two 9-inch round cake pans.

2. In a heavy stand mixer with a whisk attachment or with a hand mixer and a large bowl, beat eggs and sugar for 3 to 5 minutes.

3. In a small bowl, combine coconut milk or milk of choice with oil, lemon juice, zest and extracts.

4. In another bowl, whisk together Mary’s Flour Blend, xanthan gum, sea salt and baking powder.

5. At low speed, slowly add dry and wet mixtures to egg and sugar mixture just until combined.

6. Divide batter evenly between prepared cake pans. Place in preheated oven and bake 30 to 35 minutes or until cake center springs back to touch. For 6-inch rounds, bake 28 to 30 minutes. For 12-inch rounds, bake 40 to 45 minutes.

Each serving of cake without filling or frosting contains 146 calories, 8g total fat, 2g saturated fat, 0g trans fat, 22mg cholesterol, 73mg sodium, 20g carbohydrate, 0g fiber, 1g protein.

TIP For wedding-size portions, use a large chef’s knife to cut the finished cake into 1x2-inch portions.

*For Egg-Free Luscious Lemon Cake, replace 4 eggs by combining 2 tablespoons arrowroot, 3 teaspoons Ener-G egg replacer (ener-g.com) + 6 tablespoons warm water to make a paste. Add to sugar in step 2 and continue recipe.

Lemon Curd Filling

ENOUGH FOR ONE 2-LAYER CAKE

For easier spreading, spread lemon curd while it’s still warm over cooled cake. This recipe makes enough for one 6-inch or one 9-inch 2-layer cake. For a 12-inch 2-layer cake, double the recipe. Triple it for a 3-tier wedding cake. Lemon curd can be made up to a week in advance. Store refrigerated in an airtight container. This recipe can be made egg free with good results; see instructions below.

4 egg yolks*
½ cup granulated sugar
2 lemons, zested and juiced
4 tablespoons unsalted cold butter or dairy-free butter alternative, chopped

1. In small saucepan, mix yolks and sugar. Whisk in lemon zest and juice. Add butter or dairy-free butter alternative.

2. Warm mixture over medium heat, stirring constantly until curd thickens. Do not let the curd boil.

3. Place mixture in a bowl and let cool. Cover tightly and refrigerate until ready to use.

*For Egg-Free Lemon Curd Filling, replace 4 egg yolks with 3 tablespoons arrowroot or cornstarch + enough water to make a paste. (Use cold water with cornstarch.) Mix with sugar in step 1 and proceed with recipe.

Lemon Chiffon Frosting

ENOUGH FOR ONE 2-LAYER CAKE

Lemon extract and coconut milk make a light yet rich-tasting frosting that holds up to a warm day. This recipe makes enough for one 6-inch or one 9-inch 2-layer cake. Double the recipe for a 12-inch 2-layer cake. For a 3-tier wedding cake, multiply the recipe by 4.

1 cup organic palm shortening
3 cups confectioners’ sugar, more as needed
¼ cup coconut milk or dairy-free milk of choice, more as needed
1 teaspoon lemon extract
¼ teaspoon salt

1. In a heavy stand mixer or with a hand mixer and a large bowl, blend shortening and sugar together on low speed until incorporated. Add coconut milk or dairy-free milk of choice, a little at a time. Blend in lemon extract and salt.

2. If frosting is too loose, add more confectioners’ sugar, a tablespoon at a time. If frosting is too thick, thin with more milk, adding 1 teaspoon at a time until desired consistency is reached.

Each serving of cake with filling and frosting contains 262 calories, 15g total fat, 5g saturated fat, 1g trans fat, 48mg cholesterol, 95mg sodium, 32g carbohydrate, 0g fiber, 2g protein.

Lemon cake, filling and frosting recipes by Mary Capone.

Mary’s All-Purpose Flour Blend

MAKES 6 CUPS
Brown rice flour contains more flavor
and nutrients than white rice flour.

2 cups brown rice flour
2 cups white rice flour
1 1/3 cups potato starch (not potato flour)
2/3 cup tapioca starch/flour

1. Mix ingredients together. Store in a tightly covered container in the refrigerator until used.

Each cup contains 564 calories, 2g total fat, 0g saturated fat, 0g trans fat, 0mg cholesterol, 4mg sodium, 127g carbohydrate, 4g fiber, 7g protein.