Go Back
+ servings
Lemon Raspberry Layer Cake

Lemon Raspberry Layer Cake

This Lemon Raspberry Layer Cake is a delightful dessert featuring layers of lemon cake and raspberry filling, perfect for any occasion.
Prep Time 1 hour
Cook Time 35 minutes
Cooling Time 20 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 55 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 12 slices
Calories 320 kcal

Equipment

  • stand mixer
  • Rubber spatula
  • medium saucepan
  • food processor
  • Cake pans
  • wire rack

Ingredients
  

Lemon Raspberry Cake

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1.5 teaspoon baking powder
  • 0.25 teaspoon baking soda
  • 0.5 teaspoon salt
  • 0.5 cup whole milk room temperature
  • 0.33 cup lemon juice from 3-4 medium lemons
  • 1 tablespoon lemon zest from 1 medium lemon
  • 1.5 cups granulated sugar
  • 0.33 cup unsalted butter room temperature
  • 0.25 cup vegetable oil
  • 3 large eggs room temperature
  • 2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1.25 cups frozen or fresh raspberries
  • 1 teaspoon all-purpose flour for coating the raspberries

Raspberry Filling

  • 1.5 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 1.5 tablespoon water
  • 2 cups fresh or frozen raspberries
  • 0.33 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice

Lemon Raspberry Buttercream

  • 1 cup freeze-dried raspberries
  • 1.5 cups unsalted butter room temperature
  • 1.5 tablespoon fresh squeezed lemon juice
  • 3 tablespoon whole milk room temperature
  • 5 cups powdered sugar
  • pinch of salt or to taste

Garnish

  • 1 twisted lemon slice
  • 0.25 cup fresh raspberries

Instructions
 

Make the Lemon Raspberry Cake

  • Preheat the oven to 350ºF/177ºF and prepare three 6-inch or two 8-inch cake pans by spraying the sides with cooking spray and fitting a parchment paper circle to the bottoms.
  • In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
  • In a liquid measuring cup, whisk together the milk and lemon juice and set aside.
  • Using a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, mix together the sugar and lemon zest until fragrant and well combined, about 1 minute.
  • Add the butter and cream it together with the lemon-sugar mixture on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
  • Add the vegetable oil and beat until combined, light and creamy, about 3 minutes. Scrape down the bowl and paddle as needed.
  • With the mixer on low speed, add the eggs one at a time and mix until combined. Add the vanilla, then turn the mixer to medium speed and beat for one minute.
  • Turn the mixer off and add the flour mixture all at once. Mix on low speed until just combined, then slowly pour in the lemon milk mixture.
  • Mix until just combined, about 30 seconds.
  • In a small bowl, break up the frozen raspberries into smaller pieces and coat them in 1 teaspoon of flour.
  • Fold them into the cake batter with a rubber spatula.
  • Divide the cake batter evenly between the prepared cake pans and bake for 30-35 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the centers comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
  • Cool for 5 minutes before removing the cakes from the pans. Transfer the cake layers to a wire rack to cool completely to room temperature.

Make the Raspberry Filling

  • In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and water until combined.
  • Add it into a medium saucepan along with the raspberries, granulated sugar, and lemon juice.
  • Set the saucepan over medium heat and stir with a rubber spatula to combine.
  • Cook until the mixture begins to boil, mashing down the raspberries as they soften.
  • Once the mixture starts to boil, set the timer for 5 minutes while you continue stirring occasionally.
  • Remove from heat and transfer to a heat proof container. Let the raspberry filling sit at room temperature for about 20 minutes, then cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours and up to 1 week.

Make the Lemon Raspberry Buttercream

  • With a food processor, grind the raspberries into a fine powder. Sift out the seeds and set the powder aside.
  • Whip the butter using a stand mixer with a paddle attachment on medium-high speed until it’s creamy and light in color (5 minutes).
  • Add the lemon juice, milk, and raspberry powder and continue to mix on medium until fully combined.
  • Turn the mixer to low speed and add the powdered sugar a few cups at a time, scraping down the bowl and paddle after each addition.
  • Add a pinch of salt and continue mixing on low speed until fully combined and smooth, 1-2 minutes.

Assembly

  • Once the cake layers have cooled completely, level them to your desired height.
  • Add a swipe of buttercream onto a cardboard cake circle and place the first cake layer on top.
  • Pipe a circle of lemon raspberry buttercream around the edge of the layer, then fill in the center with the cooled raspberry filling.
  • Cover the top with more of the lemon raspberry buttercream.
  • Add the next cake layer on top and continue filling and stacking the cake layers with the raspberry filling and lemon raspberry frosting.
  • Place the final cake layer upside down on top.
  • Crumb coat the cake with more lemon raspberry buttercream, then refrigerate the crumb coated cake for at least 30 minutes to let everything firm up.
  • Frost a smooth buttercream finish with the lemon raspberry buttercream, keeping the top edge raw.
  • Garnish with a twisted lemon slice and fresh raspberries.

Notes

Frozen raspberries work best in the cake batter to prevent leaking juice. Freeze-dried raspberries are recommended for the buttercream but fresh/frozen can be substituted with additional lemon extract.

Nutrition

Serving: 1sliceCalories: 320kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 2gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 9gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.5gMonounsaturated Fat: 4.5gCholesterol: 40mgSodium: 180mgPotassium: 150mgFiber: 1gSugar: 30gVitamin A: 500IUVitamin C: 15mgCalcium: 20mgIron: 1mg
Keyword Cake, dessert, Layer Cake, lemon, Lemon Raspberry Layer Cake, raspberry
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!