Double Lemon Cake

-FOR THE CAKE-
3 c All purpose flour +
Extra for dusting pans
1 tb Baking powder
1/2 ts Salt
1 c Butter + extra for pans
2 c Sugar
4 x Eggs
1 c Milk
1 ts Pure vanilla

For the cake, sift flour, baking powder and salt together. Grease and
lightly flour three 9-in cake pans. In a large mixing bowl, cream butter
with sugar, using an electric mixer, if possible. Add eggs, one at a time,
mixing well after each addition. The mixture should be smooth and creamy.
Using a spoon, add 1/3 of the flour & fold into the batter with 1/3 of the
milk. Repeat until flour & milk are incorporated into batter. I is
important that the ingredients be folded in; the batter should not be
beaten after flour has been intorduced. Stir in vanilla. Distribute batter
evenly among 3 cake pans & bake in a preheated 350F oven for about 30 min.
or until layers are golden brown & spring back when gently pressed in the
middle. Cool for about 5 minutes & turn layers out of pans. For the
filling, combine sugar, flour & salt in a heavy saucepan. Add 2 c. water &
mix well. Cook over low-medium heat, stirring occasionallym until thick.
Add egg yolks, lemon juice, lemon zest & butter & cook for 12 min, stirring
occasionally. Cool For the topping: mix sugar, cornstarch and salt in a
heavy saucepan. Add 3/4 c. water gradually. Bring to a boil, stirring
constantly. Boil 1 min. Remove from heat and stir in butter & lemon rind.
Greadually stir in lemon juice. Cool To assemble:cover 1st & 2nd layers
w/lemon filling. Spread generously. Coat top of 3rd layer & sides of cake
with clear lemon topping. Filling & topping must be thoroughtly cooled
before using. Cake is better when made 24 hrs. before serving. Filling will
be a rich, yellow, lemon curd-type mixture and the topping a clear, tart
jelly.
Yields
16 Servings