Italian Lemon Cream Cake

Step 1

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Have a 10-inch straight sided tube pan ready but ungreased. ***

Step 2

Separate eggs, setting aside the yolks, and whip the whites in an electric mixer until foamy. Slowly add the sugar and cream of tarter and continue to whip on high until the beater leaves distinct tracks and glossy, stiff peaks form, about 3 minutes. Set aside.

Step 3

Combine water, vegetable oil, and 1 tablespoon of the lemon zest with the reserved egg yolks.

Step 4

In a large bowl, place the cake flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt and stir with a whisk or fork to combine well.

Step 5

Using an electric mixer, begin by mixing the wet ingredients until combined, then slowly add the dry ingredients with the machine running. Stop and scrape down the sides completely and continue until everything is well mixed.

Step 6

Using an electric mixer, begin by mixing the wet ingredients until combined, then slowly add the dry ingredients with the machine running. Stop and scrape down the sides completely and continue until everything is well mixed.

Step 7

Spoon batter into the cake pan and bake for 1 hour, until a cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean. Immediately turn the cake in the pan upside down and either rest it on the pans tabs or set it on top of a bottle neck until completely cool, about an hour. ***

Step 8

While cake is cooling, prepare the filling: Use an electric mixer to whip the cream to firm peaks. In another bowl, whip the cream cheese until it is smooth. Add the lemon juice and zest, then slowly add the powdered sugar until completely mixed. Fold together the cream cheese mixture with the whipped cream and chill 30 minutes before assembling the cake.

Step 9

When cake has cooled, use a table knife to run around the edges and the tube to loosen the cake, then tip it out onto a large plate. Use a serrated knife to cut the cake horizontally into 3 layers. Spread the filling between the layers and chill the cake.

Step 10

Before serving, top the cake with sifted powdered sugar and lemon slices.