Thursday, June 23, 2011

Limoncello Lemon Cake.... for our dear Monet


Sometimes life just isn't fair.  Running through our everyday lives it's just not fair that the traffic on the highway is at a total stop.  My daughter sometimes thinks it's not fair when a friend of hers may get a special treat and she doesn't.  My son doesn't think it's fair that he has to walk home from the golf clinic he is assisting instead of me giving him a ride.

Be that as it may, one of our special friends in the blog world truly knows the meaning of life not always being "fair".  Our lovely Monet, of Anecdotes and Apple Cores, touches the heart of nearly everyone who is lucky enough to cross her path.  Her blog, filled with enchanting stories and enticing recipes, has me stopping by often and leaving with a smile on my face... except for the times when her stories leave me in tears, my heart breaking for her and her family.  

Life has thrown a few heart wrenching tragedies into Monet's life as of late, burdening her with more than any one person should have to deal with in their young lives.  Our thoughts and prayers continue to flow her direction, hoping to provide some sort of comfort during these ever so difficult times.

Through difficult times though, an occasional ray of sunshine falls.  Lizzy, of That Skinny Chick Can Bake (and yes she can!!) and Kate, of Kate's Kitchen, took on a project to send our love Monet's direction.  With recipes from friends around the world, Lizzy and Kate put together a touching compilation of comfort recipes along with notes of thoughts and prayers in the form of a scrapbook.  Lizzy has a list of these recipes on her site, and Monet requested a reposting of the recipes today.

Limoncello Lemon Cake always brings a smile to our face, and with hopes that the bright, lemony flavors would bring some sort of peace and happiness to Monet, if even for a moment, I was humbled to be a part of Lizzy and Kate's project.  Dazzling lemon essence and a comment of "Like cake from heaven!" describe the textures and flavors and will hopefully bring a little sunshine into your life when in need.

Bright with zesty lemon, this light and tender cake won't last long on your table.  One batch makes three smaller loaves or one large.  Topped with a sweet lemony glaze the cake is nearly irresistible!  Limoncello or lemon juice may be used interchangeably with equal heavenly success.



Limoncello Lemon Cake
adapted from Erika Kerekes
Printer Friendly Recipe

While the girls were extraordinarily pleased with their cake slightly warm (we rushed to glaze it!) I prefer the cake a few hours later.   My ever-growing teenage son ate an entire mini loaf in one sitting, finishing with a big smile on his face.  Moist and tender this cake is a ray of sunshine sent from heaven! 


2 eggs
1 cup vanilla Greek yogurt
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup canola oil
zest of 1 lemon
3 Tbs Limoncello (or lemon juice)
2 cups flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt

Glaze
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 1/2 to 2 Tbs Limoncello or Lemon Juice (adjust as necessary)
1 tsp lemon zest

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.


In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, yogurt, sugar, oil, lemon zest and 3 Tbsp limoncello or lemon juice.  In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring just until incorporated, 15-20 stirs, being careful not to over mix.


Spray an 8.5 x 4.5-inch loaf pan (or alternatively 3 mini loaf pans, 5 3/4 x 3 inch) with cooking spray.  Pour the batter into the pan.  Bake about 40 minutes for the larger loaf pan or 30-35 minutes for the smaller loaf pans, or until a tester comes out clean and the top of the cake is golden. Cool the cake in the pan for about 5 minutes.  Remove from pans and continue cooling on a wire rack.


When the cake is cool, whisk the powdered sugar with 2 Tbs limoncello or lemon juice in a small bowl until smooth.  Drizzle the glaze over the cake.

52 comments:

  1. oh this is definitely getting made, I love your recipe,especially using the greek yogurt! What a wonderful recipe to share for Monet!

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  2. What a touching post, Kim! You said it all so well. Thanks so much for your delicious contribution...a truly gorgeous cake!

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  3. What a wonderful tribute to such a darling woman! Great job Kim

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  4. I just read about the project for Monet. What a wonderful idea for someone who has had so much recent tragedy. I haven't used your limoncello yet - I'm afraid I'm hoarding it. But this recipe looks like one I must try.

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  5. I am sure your project will help ease Monet in this difficult time, this is such a thoughtful idea. I had given her some blogger awards today but had no idea of her personal situation.

    The limoncello cake looks divine-great choice.

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  6. This is so kind of you!! Very touching!

    Great photos. This cake looks delicious!

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  7. This was very heartfelt and those photos are fabulous they captured that yellow cake to perfection!

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  8. This is just perfect for our dear Monet. A wonderful creation.

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  9. Just beautiful - the post and the cake. Monet is such a special person who has shown amazing grace in the face of tragedy.

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  10. Hi Kelly - Your cake sounds wonderful. Our hearts go out to Monet and her family.
    LL

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  11. Great recipe! I love that you used Greek yogurt! Monet will love this. My thoughts are with Monet and her family.

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  12. Hi Kim,
    Love this recipe and i have enough Limoncello left to make it. I'm sure Monet will make it one day and smile. Your husband and mine must be related, lol, only I think mine uses two. Hope you guys are enjoying the summer.
    -Gina-

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  13. Yum! Looks so fabulous, we will make it this weekend. Lemon lifts the spirits.

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  14. What a wonderful tribute!
    The lemon cake looks stunning!

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  15. For someone as sweet as Monet, such a delicate cake is a perfect gift!
    Touching and sweet.

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  16. Kim,
    This is a slice of heavenly cake for our dear friend Monet. This cake will having her beaming from ear to ear. Such a touching post.

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  17. I am so lucky!! Your cake is absolutely gorgeous and I have all the ingredients for this cake at home. Will try and copy it tonight…can’t wait to have a bite…

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  18. What a beautiful cake made and given to all with such a beautiful sentiment, Kim! Such a nice idea to show Monet support and friendship ...

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  19. Incredibly touching post. From everyone involved! Monet certainly deserves some comfort food. Thanks so much for sharing :)

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  20. What a gorgeous lemon cake, Kim, and a wonderful thought of sharing such treats with Monet in mind. She touches us all and makes us realise how lucky we are.

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  21. Kim, that's a beautiful post. Thank you so much for being part of the scrapbook and for this wonderful recipe!

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  22. Wow this sounds fantastic! What a great thing to put this together for Monet, and I think lemon cake is the perfect thing to brighten her day! :)

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  23. Limonocello is a wonderful ingredient and liked the greek yogurt in this recipe. These two ingredients would surely add to the flavour and texture!

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  24. Lovely, lovely post and beautiful cake! I have a bottle of limoncello just waiting to find its home here!

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  25. Always good to put things in perspective, lovely cake too.

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  26. This is such a thoughtful thing to do for Monet. The cake sounds delicious. I have a bottle of lemoncello just sitting around--I think I know just how I can use it now! :-)

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  27. I need to make this. Looks absolutely delicious!

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  28. My mother in law just braught some Limoncello from Italia! She ate some sweets with limoncello and said it was good, i have to try your cake!!

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  29. Your cake is beautiful and sounds delicious! I love that you have made it with limoncello!

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  30. Its the loveliest gesture to Monet. I follow her blog and I do know the kind of tragedy she and her family have had to face. God Bless them.
    The limoncello cake looks beautiful. Noted the recipe. thanks for sharing

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  31. Such a lovely post... and a beautiful cake to go with it.

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  32. What a lovely tribute to Monet - I started getting all weepy reading about her trials. Bless her and her family.

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  33. Kim, new follower here! I am seeing so many recipes on your blog that I would love to try. Perhaps we can swap!

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  34. What a beautiful post, Kim! I love this tribute to Monet. The post is incredible and the recipe, absolutely mouth-watering! This is going onto my 'must-make' list! Thanks for sharing, and I am sure Monet appreciates it too!

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  35. Such a beautiful Cake! Love how you write with passion. You are so gifted. So glad I found your blog.

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  36. I love baking with lemons. What a lovely tribute to Monet!

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  37. I know I already commented on your lovely post, but just wanted to pop in again and wish you are your family a happy fourth! :)

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  38. Just made this cake! Delicious! Thanks so much for the recipe!

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  39. You are so welcome and I'm SO glad you enjoyed it!! Thanks for letting us know!

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  40. WOW... just made this, it is so easy and absolutely delicious!! The only thing I did different was I used fresh squeezed lemon juice for the glaze and I also doubled it... yummy :))

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  41. Yay!! So glad you made it and I'm even happier that you loved it as much as we do. Doubling the glaze is brilliant!

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  42. Merci pour votre recette ! Super bon ! Coucou de la France ! ;)

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  43. What can I use instead of canola oil? Canola (corn) is a GMO. I no longer use this. Otherwise..I love this recipe!

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  44. Great question!!! I actually don't use Canola any longer either... currently my favorite oil Avocado Oil! Any light flavored oil should work just fine.

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  45. Just wondering if there is a substitute for the yogurt? I don't like yogurt at all.

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    1. Bridgett... you have me thinking! I will make this again in the next few weeks and see what I can come up with. But off the top of my head I'm thinking add some milk (or milk alternative) - maybe about 1/2 cup? Milk is thinner than the yogurt, so it would have to be less. I will see what I can come up with for you in a real recipe!

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  46. Just made this cake this afternoon and it is amazing! I just had "regular" stirred vanilla yogurt as I cant stand the consistency of greek yogurt and it worked out well. What I did was bake this in a bundt pan for roughly the same amound of time and while the cake was still warm I left it in the pan and poked alot of holes with a skewer - then poured a thin glaze of lemon juice and powdered suger over it to soak in. It gave the cake extra moisture and a huge lemon kick! I have a feeling this cake is NOT going to last too long around here lol Thanks for a great recipe!

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  47. Hi! I just made this and I was hoping to give it as a give. Unfortunately it does not have a strong lemon flavor and the consistency is more like a bread than a cake. :(

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