This raspberry lemon curd cake is one of the best lemon cakes ever: soft sponge layers filled with luscious and tangy lemon curd, raspberries and whipped cream!
Incredible raspberry lemon curd cake, one of my favorite cakes ever! EVER! EVER! I have been baking it for years now, at least 7 or 8, and I never get tired of it. Actually, I don't even bake it as often as I wish to, because I know that when I have it in the fridge I cannot stop eating it...
And what makes it so great? That amazing combination of sweet-tangy and creamy lemon curd, softened by the addition of whipped cream and those flavorful, wonderful raspberries.
And if you like lemon curd, how about trying these raspberry lemon curd tartlets or this no-bake blueberry lemon curd cheesecake? Or try the Raspberry and White Chocolate Cake.
Jump to recipe
Good to know!
Use a kitchen scale (the Amazon affiliate link opens in a new tab) when baking; it is more reliable.
When you zest the lemons make sure you grate only the yellow layer of the peel, the white parts are very bitter.
You can also use limes instead of lemons. The cake will have a different flavor, but you will love it just as much. If using limes, keep in mind that they are much smaller than lemons, so adjust the quantities accordingly. You will need more or less 10-12 tablespoons of freshly squeezed juice, which would be 4-5 small limes.
Recipe ingredients
Lemons:
- You will need the zest of the lemons as well, that is why it is preferable to use organic lemons and, if possible, unwaxed ones.
- Either way, I always wash them very well with soap and hot water and rub the skin to remove the wax.
Raspberries:
- Fresh ones are preferable. I try to make this cake only when I know for sure that I can get fresh raspberries.
- However, I had to bake it a couple of times when fresh raspberries were unavailable, so I used frozen raspberries instead.
- In this case, place the frozen raspberries in a single layer on kitchen paper. Let defrost and pat dry very gently with more kitchen paper.
- The kitchen paper will absorb the extra water and will keep the filling from getting watery.
Steps to make the cake
The raspberry lemon curd cake needs some time between the different steps. Both cake base and lemon curd need to be completely cool before assembling the cake, the filling has to spend 15 minutes in the refrigerator before using and the assembled cake also needs about 2-3 hours in the fridge to set.
How to make lemon curd?
Start with the lemon curd, as it will need time to cool completely.
- Mix lemon zest and juice, eggs, cornstarch, sugar, and water in a small saucepan (1).
- Simmer on low heat, whisking continuously. It will take about 5 minutes until the curd thickens. Let bubble for a couple of seconds, then remove from the heat (2).
- Place a piece of cling film directly over the top of the curd to avoid it from getting skin. Let cool completely.
Cake
Make the cake base, it will need to get completely cool as well.
- Separate the eggs. Beat the egg whites with a pinch of salt until stiff (3).
- In another bowl, beat the egg yolks and water until frothy (4). Add the sugar and vanilla extract and continue beating until the mixture thickens about 3 minutes.
- Carefully fold in the stiff egg whites (5). Sieve the flour over this mixture and fold it carefully (6).
- Bake: Pour the batter on the prepared baking tray and bake for about 12 minutes or until golden. In the meantime, place a clean kitchen towel on the table and sprinkle it with some sugar.
- Cool: Carefully turn out the cake base onto this towel. Remove the baking paper. Let the cake cool completely.
Assemble
- Whip about ¾ of the heavy cream to use for the filling. The rest will be whipped later when you decorate the cake.
- Set aside 12 pretty raspberries for decoration.
- Mix the lemon curd shortly with the electric mixer (7).
- Fold the cream into the lemon curd. Place the filling in the refrigerator for about 15 minutes (8).
- Cut sponge: Once the cake is cool, cut it in the middle to obtain two parts (9). Place one half on a serving platter (10).
- Spread ½ the filling on the sponge piece on the platter (11).
- Top with the raspberries (12) and add the remaining filling in a smooth layer.
- Cover with the second cake layer.
- Let set: The filling will need some time to set in the refrigerator, about 2-3 hours.
Decorate
- Cut: Once ready to serve, cut the lemon curd raspberry cake into 12 squares.
- Top the squares: Whip the remaining cream and pipe a little of it on each square. Place a raspberry on top.
- You can sprinkle the squares with some icing sugar if you wish.
More lemon cakes and desserts
Recipe
Raspberry Lemon Curd Cake
Ingredients
Lemon curd
- 2 organic lemons about 10-12 tablespoons freshly squeezed juice
- 2 eggs large
- 35 g cornstarch 1.2 oz/ ¼ cup + 1 teaspoon
- 100 g granulated sugar 3.5 oz/ ½ cup
- 200 ml water 6.5 fl.oz/ ¾ cup + 2 tablespoons
Cake
- 4 eggs large
- 1 pinch salt
- 2 tablespoons water
- 75 g granulated sugar 2.5 oz/ ⅓ cup + 1 tablespoon
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 80 g all-purpose flour 3 oz/ ⅔ cup
Filling
- 250 ml heavy cream 8.5 fl.oz/ 1 cup
- 300 g raspberries 10.5 oz, Note 2
- some icing sugar
Instructions
Lemon curd:
- Combine: Wash and dry the lemons and finely grate the zest. Juice the lemons as well. Place the lemon zest and juice into a saucepan. Add the eggs, cornstarch, sugar, and water.
- Cook: Gently bring to a simmer, lower the heat and whisk continuously. It will take about 5 minutes until the curd thickens. Let bubble for a couple of seconds, then remove from the heat.
- Cool: Place a piece of cling film directly over the top of the curd to avoid it from getting a skin. Let cool completely.
Cake base:
- Preheat the oven to 200 degrees Celsius/ 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a baking tray with baking paper.
- Separate the eggs. Beat the egg whites with a pinch of salt until stiff. Set aside.
- In another bowl, beat the egg yolks and water until frothy. Add the sugar and vanilla extract and continue beating until the mixture thickens, about 3 minutes.
- Batter: Carefully fold the egg whites into the egg yolks. Sieve the flour over this mixture and fold it in carefully.
- Bake: Pour the batter on the prepared baking tray and bake for about 12 minutes or until golden. In the meantime, place a clean kitchen towel on the table and sprinkle it with some sugar. Carefully turn out the cake base onto this towel. Remove the baking paper. Let the cake cool completely.
Prepare the flling:
- Curd: When the lemon curd is completely cool, beat it very shortly with an electric mixer.
- Whip ¾ of the heavy cream (keep the rest for whipping up later and decorating the cake squares). Carefully fold the whipped cream into the lemon curd. Place the filling in the fridge for about 10-15 minutes.
- Prepare rasberries: In the meantime, wash and dry the raspberries. Set 12 nice ones aside for decoration purposes.
Assemble the cake:
- Halve the cake base in the middle to obtain two equal parts. Place one cake slice on a rectangular serving platter.
- Spread ½ of the filling on top and add the raspberries, cover them with the remaining lemon curd filling and place the second cake slice on top. Refrigerate for about 2-3 hours before serving.
Decorate cake:
- Cut: Just before serving cut the cake into squares.
- Beat the remaining cream, place it in a piping bag, and pipe cream rosettes on the cake squares.
- Place a raspberry on top of each rosette. Sprinkle the cake with some icing sugar.
Notes
- Use a digital kitchen scale to measure the ingredients when baking; it guarantees for best results.
- You can make the cake filling with frozen raspberries. Defrost them in time on a piece of kitchen paper that will absorb the water. Gently pat them dry with another piece of paper before filling the cake. It is preferable to use fresh raspberries for the decoration, they look nicer.
grace says
lovely layers and a great flavor combination!
Marvellina | What To Cook Today says
What a beautiful cake that screams spring all over!
Evon says
Question, what size baking tray is used for this recipe? Thanks
Adina says
Hi Evon. My baking tray is 30x40cm or 12x15.7 inch.
Anca says
Looks amazing. I love lemon curd too. Like you with this cake, I try to avoid buying/making it because I eat too much.
Priya @priyascurrynation says
Lemon curd is the new favorite... ooooo goshhhh! i have to try this ASAP 🙂
how are you doing btw??
Adina says
Lemon Curd is soooo good. I am fine, Priya, enjoying the nice weather we have, it will not last long. I hope you are fine as well.
Monica says
So, so pretty and such great flavors. I can see why this is a huge favorite of yours. I also can relate to almost trying to avoid making some things because I have no resistance. : ) But life is too short...bring on the cakes!