Best 20 Lemon Raspberry Cake Recipes

LEMON RASPBERRY WHITE CHOCOLATE MOUSSE CAKE

Steps:

• Prepare and bake cake mix according to package directions for two 9 inch round pans. Cool cakes completely, then split each in half to make 4 layers.
• To make Raspberry Filling: In a blender or food processor, puree raspberries. In a saucepan, heat pureed raspberries until boiling. Mix cornstarch with a small amount of water and stir into raspberries. cook, stirring constantly, for 5 minutes, or until thickened. Set aside to cool.
• To make White Chocolate Mousse: In the top of a double boiler, heat white chocolate with 1 cup of the cream, stirring occasionally, until chocolate is melted and smooth. Remove from heat and allow to cool to lukewarm. Whip the remaining 2 cups cream until soft peaks form. Stir in the vanilla. Fold 1/3 of the whipped cream into the white chocolate mixture, then quickly fold in the remaining whipped cream. Do not over-mix, or the mousse will become grainy.
• Place 1 cake layer on serving plate and spread with white chocolate mousse. Place the next layer on top and spread with raspberry filling. Repeat next layer of cake with mousse. Cover with the final layer of cake. Frost top and sides with mousse. Pipe a border with remaining mousse. Garnish with fresh berries.

RASPBERRY LEMON CAKE

Steps:

• For lemon curd, in a heavy saucepan, beat eggs and sugar. Stir in the lemon juice, butter and lemon zest. Cook and stir over medium-low heat for 15 minutes or until mixture is thickened and reaches 160°. Cool for 10 minutes. Cover and chill for 1-1/2 hours or until thickened., For cake, preheat oven to 350°. In a small bowl, dissolve gelatin in boiling water; set aside to cool., In a large bowl, cream beat butter, oil and 1-1/2 cups sugar until blended, about 5 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in gelatin mixture, lemon juice, lemon zest and extracts. Combine flour, baking powder and salt; add to the butter mixture alternately with milk, beating well after each addition., Pour into three greased and floured 9-in. round baking pans. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 20-25 minutes., In a microwave-safe bowl, combine lemonade concentrate and remaining sugar. Microwave, uncovered, on high for 2 minutes or until sugar is dissolved, stirring occasionally. Poke holes in warm cakes with a fork; pour lemonade mixture over cakes. Cool 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely., For frosting, in a large bowl, beat cream cheese and butter until fluffy. Add confectioners' sugar, lemon juice, lemon zest and vanilla; beat until blended., To assemble, place one cake layer on a serving plate; spread with 6 tablespoons raspberry jam. Repeat. Top with remaining cake layer. Spread about 1/2 cup lemon curd over top of cake (save remaining curd for another use)., Spread frosting over sides of cake and pipe a shell border along the top and bottom edges. Garnish with raspberries if desired. Chill 1 hour.

LEMON RASPBERRY CAKE

Steps:

• In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Combine milk and extracts. Combine the flour, baking powder and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture alternately with milk mixture, beating well after each addition., Transfer to three greased and floured 9-in. round baking pans. Bake at 375° for 18-22 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely. , Cut each cake into two horizontal layers. Place a bottom layer on a serving plate; spread with a fifth of the jam. Repeat layers four times. Top with remaining cake. , For frosting, in a small bowl, beat butter until fluffy. Gradually beat in the confectioners' sugar, lemon juice and zest until blended. Frost top and sides of cake.

LEMON-VANILLA ANGEL FOOD CAKE WITH RASPBERRY-BLUEBERRY SAUCE

Steps:

• For the raspberry sauce, mix 1 cup of the raspberries, the preserves, water, and the sugar in a medium-size heavy saucepan (not uncoated aluminum.) Bring to a boil over moderately high heat, mashing the raspberries with a wooden spoon. Boil 1 minute. Remove from the heat. Strain the raspberry mixture through a fine strainer suspended over a bowl, pressing down on raspberries to release the juices. Discard the seeds. Stir the blueberries and the remaining 1 cup raspberries into the hot raspberry syrup. Cover and let stand until cool. Refrigerate until ready to use. Yield: 2 cups
• For the cake, check that one rack is in the middle of the oven and heat the oven to 325 degrees. Pour the egg whites into the bowl in which you will be making the batter. If the pan has a removable bottom, do nothing to it. If it does not, lightly butter the bottom. Line the bottom with waxed paper or parchment paper cut to fit, and lightly butter the paper. Thoroughly mix the flour and 1/4 cup of the granulated sugar or 1/2 cup of the confectioners' sugar in a small bowl. Have all the ingredients and tools at hand. Beat the egg whites with an electric mixer on medium speed for about 2 minutes, until frothy and well broken up. Add the cream of tartar and increase the speed to medium-high. Beat until the whites lose their yellow cast, greatly increase in volume, and start to turn white. With the mixer running, slowly sprinkle the remaining 3/4 cup sugar over the whites. Beat until the whites become very thick, very glossy, and white, and the beaters leave a deep trail. Depending on the mixer, this need take only about 3 minutes total. Beat in the lemon juice and vanilla, just enough to mix. Reduce the speed to the lowest possible. Quickly sprinkle the flour sugar-mixture over the whites. As soon as it is all added, but not completely mixed in, stop the machine and remove the bowl. With a rubber spatula or a large metal spoon, complete mixing in the flour by folding or gently stirring. Stop just as soon as the flour seems blended in. With a rubber spatula, scrape the batter (9 cups) into the pan and spread evenly. Inscribe a circle deep in the batter to release any large air bubbles. Bake until no moist patches remain in the surface cracks, the cake springs back when touched, and a cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean, about 50 minutes for a 10 by 3-inch pan, 1 hour for a tube pan. Turn the pan upside down on a wire rack. Let cool completely. Loosen the edges (and tube) with a knife. Turn out the cake, loosen and remove the pan bottom, or peel off the paper. Store airtight 1 day at room temperature before serving or freezing. When serving, top cake with sauce and confectioners' sugar, if you wish.

LEMON LAYER CAKE WITH RASPBERRY CURD AND WHIPPED CREAM

Steps:

• For cake:
• Preheat oven to 350?F. Spray two 9-inch-diameter cake pans with 2-inch-high sides with nonstick vegetable oil spray. Line bottom of pans with parchment paper; spray again.
• Whisk eggs, yolks, milk, lemon juice, and lemon peel in medium bowl to blend. Whisk flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in large bowl to blend. Whisk oil and butter into flour mixture. Add egg mixture and whisk until smooth. Divide batter between prepared pans. Bake cakes until tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 30 minutes. Cool cakes on racks 10 minutes. Run knife around edge of pans to loosen cakes. Turn cakes out onto racks. Cool completely. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Wrap with plastic. Let stand at room temperature.)
• For filling:
• Stir 1 basket raspberries, 3/4 cup sugar, eggs, lemon juice, butter, and salt in medium saucepan over medium heat until thickened and beginning to bubble at edges, about 5 minutes. Strain raspberry curd into medium bowl, pressing on solids in strainer. Refrigerate until cold, at least 2 hours and up to 1 day.
• Whip cream and 1/2 cup sugar until peaks form. Fold 1 1/2 cups whipped cream into raspberry curd. Reserve remaining whipped cream.
• Cut each cake horizontally into 2 layers. Place 1 layer, cut side down, on platter. Spread 1/3 of raspberry filling over. Repeat with 2 more cake layers and filling. Top with remaining cake layer.
• Spread all but 1 cup plain whipped cream over top and sides of cake. Place remaining whipped cream in pastry bag fitted with star tip. Pipe design around bottom edge of cake. Arrange remaining berries atop cake. Chill until cold, about 2 hours. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover with cake dome and keep refrigerated.)

EASY LEMON-COCONUT CAKE WITH RASPBERRY SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9x13-inch pan.
• Zest 2 lemons into a small bowl. Juice 1 of the lemons into another small bowl. Reserve remaining lemon for another use.
• Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a bowl.
• Whisk sugar and eggs together in another bowl until they form a ribbon. Stir olive oil, milk, lemon zest, and 1/2 of the lemon juice into the sugar-egg mixture until thoroughly combined. Fold in dry ingredients and coconut, then pour into the prepared pan.
• Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 45 to 50 minutes. Remove cake and let cool completely, 20 to 30 minutes.
• While cake is baking, place raspberries, sugar, and remaining lemon juice in a small saucepan. Heat over medium-high heat and stir until raspberries break down and mixture has thickened and is starting to boil, 5 to 7 minutes. Remove from heat and place in a serving container.
• Cut cake into pieces and spoon or pour some of the sauce over top.

ONE-BOWL LEMON-RASPBERRY CAKE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F. Spray 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish with cooking spray.
• In large bowl, beat cake mix, sour cream, melted butter, lemon juice, eggs and lemon peel with electric mixer on medium speed 2 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally. Pour in pan. Sprinkle raspberries on top.
• Bake 26 to 30 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool completely, about 30 minutes.
• In small microwavable bowl, microwave frosting uncovered on High 10 to 15 seconds or until thin enough to drizzle. Drizzle over top of cake. Let stand about 1 1/2 hours or until set. Cut into 4 rows by 3 rows. Store in airtight container at room temperature.

LEMON SNACK CAKE WITH RASPBERRY-CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

Steps:

• For the Cake: Preheat oven to 350°F. Brush a 9-inch round cake pan with butter. Line bottom with parchment; brush with butter. Dust with flour, tapping out excess.
• In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In another, stir together milk and lemon juice. In the bowl of a mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat butter with lemon zest, granulated sugar, and vanilla on medium speed until light and fluffy, 3 to 4 minutes. Beat in eggs, one at a time.
• Reduce speed to low; beat in flour mixture in three additions, alternating with milk mixture, just until no dry flour remains (do not overmix). Transfer batter to prepared pan; smooth top. Bake until cake is golden and springs back when gently pressed, about 40 minutes. Transfer pan to a wire rack; let cool 20 minutes. Turn cake out onto rack, remove parchment, and let cool completely.
• For the Frosting: In a bowl, beat cream cheese and butter until light and fluffy, 2 to 3 minutes. Beat in confectioners' sugar and freeze-dried berries until smooth.
• Spread frosting over top of cake. Decorate with fresh berries. Cake is best served on the same day, but can be refrigerated in an airtight container up to 2 days.

LEMON SHEET CAKE WITH RASPBERRY WHIPPED CREAM

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease a 9-by-13-inch pan with nonstick spray, then line the pan with parchment paper. Lightly coat the parchment paper with nonstick spray.
• In the bowl of an electric mixer, use your hands to rub together the sugar and lemon zest.
• In a medium bowl, whisk the flour, baking powder and salt.
• Add the butter and oil to the bowl with the lemon sugar, and transfer it to the mixer. Using the paddle attachment, cream the mixture on medium speed until light and fluffy, 4 to 5 minutes. With the mixer running, add the lemon juice in a slow, steady stream and mix until well combined, 1 minute more. Scrape the bowl well.
• Add the eggs one at a time, mixing on medium speed until each is incorporated before adding the next, about 1 to 2 minutes each. Scrape the bowl well every two to three additions.
• Add half of the flour mixture and mix on low speed until fully incorporated. With the mixer running on low speed, add the buttermilk in a slow, steady stream, and mix until fully incorporated. Add the remaining flour and mix until it's evenly incorporated.
• Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread into an even layer. Transfer to the oven and bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 27 to 32 minutes. Cool completely.
• While the cake cools, make the frosting: In a medium bowl, mash the raspberries with a potato masher or large fork until broken down. Stir in 1/2 cup/100 grams granulated sugar, and let macerate for 10 to 15 minutes.
• Strain the raspberry mixture. (You should have at least 3/4 cup/180 milliliters juice. Reserve any excess for cocktails, stir it into sparkling water, or drizzle over ice cream.)
• In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, whip the cream and the remaining 1/4 cup/50 grams granulated sugar on medium speed until the mixture reaches soft peaks, about 1 to 2 minutes.
• With the mixer still running on medium speed, pour the raspberry juice into the mixer in a slow, steady stream. (Reduce splattering by pouring away from the moving whisk.) Continue to whip until the mixture forms peaks, about 30 seconds to 1 minute more.
• Spoon the frosting over the cooled cake and spread into an even layer. If desired, garnish with lemon zest and sprinkles.

LEMON PUDDING CAKE WITH RASPBERRY SAUCE

Steps:

• To prepare the cake: Preheat the oven to 325°.
• Whip the egg yolks and 1 cup of the sugar until it reaches the ribbon stage. Add the flour and mix well. Whisk in the lemon juice, salt, and milk until completely combined.
• In a separate bowl, whip the egg whites until soft peaks form. Add 1/2 cup of the sugar, and whip until stiff peaks form. Gently fold the egg whites into the lemon mixture.
• Pour the batter into a plastic wrap-lined 9 by 13-inch pan and bake for 30 minutes, or until lightly browned. Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool slightly, then refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
• Place a piece of plastic wrap over the pudding cake and flip it onto a flat surface. Cut eight 3-inch circles with a ring cutter.
• To prepare the sauce: Reserve 16 raspberries for the garnish. Purée the remaining raspberries with the remaining 1/4 cup sugar for 2 minutes, or until smooth. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve.
• Spoon some of the raspberry sauce in the center of each plate and top with a circle of pudding cake. Place 2 raspberries and a mint sprig in the center of each cake.

RASPBERRY LEMON LAYER CAKE

Steps:

• In a small bowl, beat cream until it begins to thicken. Add confectioners' sugar and orange juice; beat until stiff peaks form. Using a long serrated knife, cut cake horizontally into three layers., Place bottom cake layer on a serving plate; spread with about 1/3 cup lemon curd. Top with 1 cup raspberries and 1/3 cup cream mixture; repeat layers. Replace cake top; spread with remaining lemon curd., Frost top and sides of cake with remaining cream mixture. Top with remaining raspberries; refrigerate until serving.

LEMON-RASPBERRY STREUSEL CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. In a large bowl, cream shortening, butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs and extract. Combine flour, baking powder and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well. Set aside 1 cup batter., Spread remaining batter into a greased 13x9-in. baking pan. Combine cream cheese and lemon curd; spoon over batter. In a small bowl, beat jam; stir in raspberries. Drop by tablespoonfuls over lemon mixture. Drop reserved batter by tablespoonfuls over top., For streusel, in a small bowl, combine flour, sugar and almonds. Cut in butter until crumbly. Sprinkle over batter., Bake 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack., Combine icing ingredients; drizzle over cake.

LEMON-RASPBERRY WEDDING CAKE

Steps:

• 2 days to 2 weeks before serving: Make cake layers
• Use 3 batches of fluffy white cake to make two 12-inch, two 9-inch, and two 6-inch cakes. Cool completely.
• 2 days before serving: Assemble each tier
• Using long serrated knife, halve each cake horizontally. Each layer should be as perfectly flat as possible. Using long serrated knife, slice off any bumps that may have emerged on your cake during baking.
• Make 12-inch tier: Place one 12-inch layer on 12-inch cardboard round. Spread 2 cups lemon curd over cake. Arrange 2 cups raspberries, side by side, stem ends down, atop curd in concentric circles to cover entire layer. Top with second 12-inch layer, gently pressing layers together. Spread 2 cups lemon curd atop second layer, then cover with third 12-inch layer, gently pressing layers together. Spread 2 cups lemon curd atop third layer. Arrange 2 cups raspberries, side by side, stem ends down, atop curd in concentric circles to cover entire layer. Top with fourth 12-inch layer, gently pressing layers together.
• Repeat process to make 9-inch tier, using 1 1/3 cups lemon curd between each layer and 1 1/2 cups raspberries between first and second layers and between third and fourth layers.
• Repeat process to make 6-inch tier, using 2/3 cup lemon curd between each layer and 1 cup raspberries between first and second layers and between third and fourth layers.
• Refrigerate tiers until curd is firm, about 1 hour.
• 2 days before serving: Crumb-coat and frost tiers
• Make 2 batches meringue buttercream . (Remaining batch will be made on day of decorating.)
• Using offset spatula and about 2 1/2 cups buttercream, spread thin, even coat of frosting on top and sides of 12-inch tier. Repeat with 9-inch and 6-inch tiers, using 1 1/2 cups and 1 cup buttercream, respectively. Refrigerate tiers until frosting is firm, about 30 minutes.
• Using offset spatula and about 5 cups buttercream, evenly spread second, slightly thicker (about 1/8-inch-thick) layer of frosting on top and sides of 12-inch tier. Frost 9-inch and 6-inch tiers in same manner, using about 3 cups and 2 cups buttercream, respectively. Refrigerate tiers at least 2 hours or overnight.
• 1 day before serving: Assemble cake
• Assemble 3 tiers and decorate cake, following Epicurious's illustrated step-by-step instructions. To see Melissa Murphy assemble and decorate the cake, click here.

SUPER MOIST RASPBERRY LEMON CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease two 8-inch baking dishes.
• Mix cake mix, raspberry preserves, sour cream, milk, eggs, and vegetable oil together in a large bowl until batter is well mixed; pour into the prepared baking dishes.
• Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 45 minutes. Cool cakes completely, at least 1 hour.
• Spread lemon frosting over each cooled cake.

LOW-FAT LEMON RASPBERRY CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Coat two 9-inch round cake pans with non-stick cooking spray and dust with flour
• Mix cake mix and pudding mix in a large bowl. Add water, sour cream, and egg whites; beat on medium speed with electric mixer for 2 minutes. Pour about half the batter into each of the prepared cake pans.
• Bake in the preheated oven until golden and the tops spring back when lightly pressed, about 25 minutes; set aside to cook to room temperature.
• Mix 1 tablespoon reserved juice from raspberries and cornstarch in a small bowl; set aside.
• Bring the berries to a simmer in a saucepan over medium heat; cook and stir until the berries break down, about 10 minutes. Stir the cornstarch mixture into the berries; continue cooking until thickened, about 2 minutes more. Remove saucepan from heat and cool berry mixture to room temperature.
• When the cakes are completely cool, run a paring knife between cake and pan edges. Hold a cake pan on its side and gently tap the sides of the pan against the counter to loosen cake layer. Cover the cake pan with a plate and invert it to tip the cake out of the pan and onto the plate.
• Place one cake layer onto a serving plate. Spread raspberry filling over the top of the layer. Top with remaining cake.
• Prepare frosting by gently folding yogurt into the whipped topping in a large bowl; spread over top and sides of cake.
• Cool cake in refrigerator for 2 hours before serving.

RASPBERRY-LEMON ICEBOX CAKE

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, beat the cream with a hand mixer until soft peaks form. Set aside.
• In a large bowl, combine the cream cheese and confectioners' sugar with the lemon juice and zest. Beat until creamy and well blended. Add the raspberries and use a rubber spatula to smash and stir them into the cream cheese mixture. Gently fold in the whipped cream.
• Line a 9x3-inch loaf pan with a sheet of parchment paper long enough to hang over the sides (this will act as a sling to lift out the cake when it's ready to serve).
• Arrange 8 gingersnaps in a single layer in the bottom of the pan. Spread one third of the filling over the cookies. Repeat this process twice with the remaining cookies and cream, making three layers in all.
• Chill in the fridge for at least 6 hours, and preferably overnight. When ready to serve, lift the cake out of the pan and cut into slices.

LEMON-RASPBERRY SORBET CAKE

Steps:

• Cut a 24-by-6-inch strip of parchment paper. Butter the side of an 8-inch springform pan, then line the side with the parchment; the paper will extend above the rim of the pan so you can build a tall cake.
• Mix the crushed cookies, sugar and melted butter in a bowl until combined. Press the mixture into the bottom and about 1/4 inch up the side of the prepared pan. Freeze until firm, about 15 minutes.
• Scoop the lemon sorbet over the crust in small batches, packing it in with an offset spatula; smooth the top. Freeze until firm, about 45 minutes. Repeat with the raspberry sorbet and freeze until firm, about 45 more minutes.
• Place the chocolate in a heatproof bowl. Heat the cream in a small saucepan or in the microwave until barely simmering; pour the hot cream over the chocolate and let stand 1 minute, then stir until smooth. Remove the side of the springform pan and the parchment. Spread the chocolate mixture over the top of the cake and freeze until set, about 10 minutes. Serve immediately or cover and freeze for up to 2 days.

RASPBERRY LEMON ICEBOX CAKE

Steps:

• Add whipping cream to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, or add to a large bowl and use the whisk attachments on a hand blender. Or whisk by hand, if you're feeling up to it! Whip cream on medium speed until it begins to thicken. Add sugar and lemon juice and continue whipping until soft peaks form. Don't whip until very stiff; it makes the cake too difficult to assemble! With a spatula or wooden spoon, fold in the lemon zest.
• Smear a little whipped cream on the bottom of a 9-inch x 13-inch baking dish. This will help to hold the first layer of graham crackers in place. Lay a single layer of graham crackers over the whipped cream, breaking a few apart if necessary to make them fit. Add 1/3 of the whipped cream to the graham crackers and smooth. Top with 1/3 of the raspberries - if they're large ones, I like to break them in half first. Top with another layer of graham crackers, another 1/3 of the whipped cream, and another 1/3 of the raspberries. Then add the remaining graham crackers and spread on the last of the whipped cream. Top decoratively with remaining raspberries.
• Carefully cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, up to 36 hours.
• Remove from fridge, cut into squares, and serve.

LEMON CAKE WITH RASPBERRY MOUSSE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for dark or nonstick pans). Grease or spray two 8- or 9-inch round cake pans. In large bowl, beat cake mix, buttermilk, oil, lemon peel and eggs with electric mixer on low speed 30 seconds, then on medium speed 2 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally. Pour into pans.
• Bake as directed on box. Cool 10 minutes. Run knife around side of pans to loosen cakes; remove from pans to cooling racks. Cool completely, about 1 hour.
• Place 1 cake layer, rounded side down, on serving plate. Spread 3/4 cup of the pie filling over cake layer to within 1/4 inch of edge. Top with second layer, rounded side up.
• In chilled medium bowl, beat whipping cream with electric mixer on high speed until soft peaks form. Beat in remaining 1 1/4 cups pie filling on low speed just until blended. Frost side and top of cake with raspberry mousse. Garnish with fresh raspberries and mint leaves. Store loosely covered in refrigerator.

RASPBERRY WHITE CHOCOLATE CAKE WITH LEMON BUTTERCREAM

Steps:

• For cake:.
• Heat oven to 350. Generously grease and flour 2 9" round cake pans.
• Melt the white chocolate in a small glass bowl in the microwave for 1 minute. (It will probably hold most of its shape even though it is starting to melt). Remove from the microwave and stir the chocolate with a rubber spatula until smooth. Let cool for approximately 5 minutes.
• Place the cake mix, water, oil, eggs, egg whites, lemon juice, and lemon zest in a large bowl. Add the slightly cooled melted chocolate. Mix with an electric mixer on low speed for 1 minute. Stop your mixer and scrape the sides of the bowl with a spatula. Using a medium speed, mix again for 2 minutes, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
• Divide the batter between your prepared cake pans. Smooth the tops with a rubber spatula, then place the pans in the oven on the center rack, side by side.
• Set the timer for 28 minutes and then check for doneness. The layers should be golden brown and spring back when lightly pressed with your finger. It may take up to 4 minutes longer in the oven, but don't overcook.
• Remove from the oven and place on wire racks to cool for 10 minutes.
• Run a knife around the edge of each layer and invert onto a rack, then invert on another rack so that each layer is right side up. Allow to cool for at least 30 more minutes.
• For frosting:.
• Place the butter and 1 cup of the powdered sugar in a large mixing bowl. With an electric mixer, beat on low speed for 30 seconds.
• Add the remaining powdered sugar alternately with the milk and lemon juice (1 cup of sugar, then 1 T liquid at a time), blending with the mixer after each addition. Add the lemon zest. If the frosting seems very stiff, add up to 1 more tablespoon milk. Increase the mixer speed to medium and beat until light and fluffy, approx 1 minute.
• To assemble:.
• Place the raspberry preserves in a small bowl and stir until it is smooth and no lumps are present.
• Using a long serrated knife, carefully split the first cake layer horizontally into halves, creating 2 layers. Place the bottom half on a cake plate, cut side up. Spread ¼ cup of the raspberry preserves on it. Place the top half of the layer, cut side down, on top of the first half. Again, spread with ¼ cup of the preserves.
• Split the 2nd layer in the same way you did the first. Place the bottom half on top of your partially assembled cake, cut side up, and top with the remaining ¼ cup of preserves. Then top with the top half, cut side down.
• Frost the top and sides of the cake with the lemon buttercream frosting.
• If you are garnishing the cake with fresh raspberries, wait until right before you serve it. Otherwise juice from the raspberries will start to spread into the frosting. It won't ruin it, but it won't look very pretty after a while.
• Store leftovers in the refrigerator.