Baby Cakes with Lemon Butter Cream Icing

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350° F (180° C). Butter a 6-cup jumbo non-stick muffin pan (each cup 3-½ inch/9 cm diameter and ¾ cup/175 mL capacity).  In medium bowl, beat egg whites until fluffy and holding soft peaks.

2. In large bowl using an electric mixer, cream 1 cup (250 mL) of the butter and sugar until fluffy and light yellow; add egg yolks and lemon zest; beat one minute.  

3. In small bowl, combine flour, baking powder and salt. On low speed, beat in half the flour mixture into the butter mixture, just until blended.  Beat in half of the milk until blended. Repeat with remaining flour mixture and then milk, beating after each addition until blended. Gently fold reserved egg whites into batter. Evenly divide batter into prepared muffin pan. Place into centre of the oven and bake 25 min or until baby cakes are browned and a toothpick inserted in middle of cake comes out clean. Let cool in pan for 10 min.  Transfer to rack to cool completely.

4. Lemon Butter Cream Icing: Using an electric mixer, beat the remaining ¾ cup (175 mL) butter until light and fluffy.  Beat in 1 cup (250 mL) icing sugar, until well blended; about 1 minute. Add lemon juice, then the remaining icing sugar, 1 cup (250 mL) at a time; beating well after each addition. Cut each cooled baby cake in half crosswise.  Spread 2 tbsp (30 mL) of the butter cream icing over bottom layers and top with cake tops, pressing lightly. Decorate baby cakes with lemon butter icing over tops and sides. Garnish with lemon curls and fresh mint.

Preparation time: about 25 minutes
Baking time: 25 minutes
Cooling time: 40 minutes
Yield: 6 baby cakes

Cooking tips:  Use a vegetable peeler or citrus zester to remove long thin strips of peel from around the lemon.  Cut to desired length and roll strip into curl.
If icing becomes stiff, place hot cloth around the bottom and stir, or add 1 tbsp (15 mL) milk or cream at a time to desired consistency.

Variation: For old-fashion vanilla cake with butter cream icing, omit lemon zest and add 1 tsp (5 mL) vanilla in batter and replace lemon juice with milk in the icing.

Recipe courtesy Dairy Farmers of Canada www.dairygoodness.ca