Lemon Curd and Cream Cake

Ingredients

• Lemon Curd (opposite page)
• 1 (18.25-ounce) lemon cake mix with pudding*
• 1 1/4 cups buttermilk
• 1/3 cup vegetable oil
• 1 tablespoon grated lemon rind
• 3 large eggs
• 3/4 cup heavy whipping cream
• 3 tablespoons sugar
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 2/3 cup hot water
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1/3 cup fresh lemon juice (about 3 lemons)

Preparation

1. Prepare Lemon Curd.
2. Beat cake mix and next 4 ingredients in a large bowl at low speed with an electric mixer until combined; increase speed to medium, and beat 2 minutes. Pour batter into 2 greased and floured 9-inch round cakepans. Bake at 350° for 30 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pans on a wire rack 10 minutes; remove from pans, and cool completely on wire rack.
3. Beat whipping cream at high speed with an electric mixer until foamy; gradually add 3 tablespoons sugar, beating until soft peaks form. Gradually add sour cream, beating until mixture is spreading consistency. Chill at least 30 minutes.
4. Combine hot water, 1/3 cup sugar, and lemon juice in a small bowl, stirring until sugar is dissolved.
5. Place 1 cake layer on a cake plate; use a wooden pick to poke holes in cake 1/2-inch apart. Slowly pour half of sugar syrup mixture over cake layer until liquid is absorbed. Spread 1 cup Lemon Curd over layer. Top with remaining cake layer; use a wooden pick to poke holes in cake 1/2-inch apart. Pour remaining syrup over layer, and top with remaining Lemon Curd, leaving a 1 1/2-inch border around edge of cake. Spread sour cream frosting on sides of cake, and on 1 1/2-inch border around top edge of cake, leaving Lemon Curd visible. Chill at least 1 hour before serving. Store in refrigerator.
6. *For testing purposes only, we used Betty Crocker SuperMoist Cake Mix.