Lemon drizzle cake

Ingredinets

• 250g (8oz) unsalted butter, softened at room temperature (plus extra for greasing cake tin)
• 1tbsp grated lemon zest
• 250g (8oz) unrefined caster sugar
• 4 large eggs
• 275g (9oz) self-raising flour
• 1tsp baking powder
• 100ml (3½fl oz) buttermilk
• Juice of 1 lemon

FOR THE SYRUP:

• 150g (5oz) unrefined caster sugar
• 50ml (2fl oz) water
• Juice of 1 lemon
• FOR THE CANDIED LEMON SLICES:
• 2 lemons, sliced
• 450g (140oz) caster sugar
• 500ml (16fl oz) water

FOR THE LEMON DRIZZLE ICING:

• 300g (10oz) icing sugar, sifted
• 80ml (2¾fl oz) lemon juice

instruction

1. Start by pre heating the oven to 180°C (gas mark 4). Grease a 23cm (9in) round cake tin with butter and line with baking parchment or paper.
2. Put the butter, zest and sugar into a large bowl or electric mixer and beat on a medium speed for about 5 minutes, or until the mixture is light and fluffy.
3. Break the eggs into a jug and lightly beat, then gradually add the eggs into the butter and sugar while the mixture continues running. As you pour in the eggs, add 4 tablespoons of flour, one at a time, at regular intervals.
4. Sift the remainder of the flour and the baking powdered into the mixer, gently folding in with a large metal spoon. Add the buttermilk and lemon juice and gently combine.
5. Spoon the mixture into the tin and bake for about 50 minutes, until the cake is golden brown on top and firm to the touch.
6. While the cake is baking, make the syrup and candied lemon slices. For the syrup combine the sugar, lemon juice and water in a saucepan. Heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar is dissolved and set aside.
7. For the candied lemons slices, combine the water with the sugar in a large saucepan. Bring to a gently boil and simmer for 5 minutes. Add the lemon slices and simmer for another 5 minutes, until the fruit is soft but not falling apart. With a slotted spoon, remove the slices and place on greaseproof paper.
8. Remove the cake form the oven and poke holes all over the top of it with a skewer of toothpick. Spoon the warm syrup over the cake and set aside to cool.
9. Make the icing by sifting the icing sugar into a bowl. Beat in enough lemon juice to make a thick, pouring consistency. Spread over the lemon drizzle cake allowing some of it to run down the sides. Arrange the candied lemon slices on top.