Who doesn’t love a slice of lemon cake? It’s tart, sweet and has a fresh burst of lemon flavor that’s hard to beat. So, what do you serve with it?
The options are almost endless, but here are just a few examples. And the frosting is just as important as choosing the right cake! There are so many different ways to top your lemon cake. Here are a few suggestions to give you some ideas for your next lemon cake experience.
Cream Cheese Frosting
Cream cheese frosting is the perfect topping for lemon cakes because it has a similar tartness. It’s also a good idea to use a non-powdered, non-instant lemon curd.
The lemon flavor should come from actual lemon juice, not from a powder or a flavouring agent. Another advantage of this frosting is that it’s very easy to make.
Simply mix the softened cream cheese and the lemon curd until you have a smooth consistency. Then, frost the cake and add a few blueberries for decoration and flavour.
Lemon Curd Frosting
Lemon curd and lemon cakes are a match made in heaven, so they are a perfect combination when you’re choosing a frosting. This recipe is also very easy to make and has a delicious tart flavour that is reminiscent of a lemon cake.
The only thing you need to do is whisk together the ingredients until they’re smooth and creamy. Then, you can use an electric mixer or a handheld whisk. The only thing to keep in mind is that this frosting is quite thick, so you’ll probably want to add a bit of milk to make it easier to spread.
You can also try baking with the lemon curd frosting by making cupcakes with lemon cake mix or a store-bought lemon cake. Simply fill the cupcakes with the lemon curd frosting and then sprinkle them with coconut shavings or lemon zest for decoration.
Fresh Whipped Cream
Fresh whipped cream is another frosting that goes well with lemon cakes because it’s very similar in taste and texture. The best way to make fresh whipped cream is with a stand mixer or an electric whisk. You can also use a handheld whisk, but it will take a bit longer.
You’ll want to use heavy whipping cream, but you can also use light cream if that’s all you have available. The best ratio of heavy cream to sugar is two to one, so you’ll want to use two parts heavy cream to one part sugar.
You can also add a bit of vanilla extract for flavour. Once you’ve whipped the cream, you can add in a bit of lemon zest or a few drops of lemon juice. This will give the whipped cream a tart flavour that is reminiscent of lemon cake.
Meringue Frosting
Meringue frosting is another great option for lemon cakes because it is sweet and light. As well as being a great topping for lemon cakes, it can also be used to top berries or other desserts that have a tart or fresh flavour. You can make meringue frosting easily with just a few ingredients.
You’ll need a mixer, a bowl, and some patience. To start, whisk together the egg whites, a pinch of salt, and the sugar until the mixture is glossy and stiff. You can also use a hand-held whisk to do this if you don’t have a stand mixer. It will take a few minutes longer, but it will still work fine.
Once the egg whites are stiff, you can add in the rest of the ingredients. It’s a good idea to add the vanilla and the cream at the very end so that they don’t get mixed in with the egg whites.
Once everything is well combined, you can frost your lemon cake with the meringue frosting. It’s a good idea to place the cake under the broiler for a few minutes to make the frosting nice and golden brown.
Blueberry Compote
Blueberries are a very flavourful berry, and they also have a nice tartness that goes well with lemon cakes. Blueberry compote is very easy to make, and it’s also a healthy dessert.
You’ll need blueberries, sugar, water, and lemon juice. You can also add a bit of corn starch if you want the compote to be thicker. The best way to make it is to put all of the ingredients in a saucepan and bring them to a boil.
Then, you can reduce the heat and simmer the compote until it’s thick and the blueberries have broken down into a sauce-like consistency. You can use the compote to decorate the lemon cake or you can serve it alongside it. The compote goes well with lemon cakes because it has a similar flavour and texture.
Conclusion
Lemon cakes and other lemon desserts are a great choice for any occasion. They’re very easy to make and they’re a great way to use lemons in a creative way. Plus, they have a fresh, summery flavour that’s sure to brighten up even the dullest winter day.
You can choose any of the frosting suggestions listed above to top your lemon cake. There are many other options as well, so feel free to experiment until you find a combination that you love.