• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Restless Chipotle

  • Home
  • Recipe Index
  • Start Here
    • Ingredients Substitutions
    • Tips for Measuring Ingredients Accurately
  • About
  • Shop
  • Your Recipe Box
  • Meal Plans
menu icon
go to homepage
  • About
  • Recipes
  • My Recipes
  • Meal Plans
  • Start Here!
  • Videos
  • Blog
  • Shop
  • Recipe Box
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • About
  • Recipes
  • My Recipes
  • Meal Plans
  • Start Here!
  • Videos
  • Blog
  • Shop
  • Recipe Box
×

Home » Recipes » Layer Cakes

Lemon Layer Cake with White Chocolate Ganache

Published: Jul 4, 2016 Last Updated: Sep 7, 2022 by Marye 938 words. | About 5 minutes to read this article.

A tangy lemon layer cake with a sweet white chocolate ganache filling and a fluffy whipped lemon frosting. Perfect for birthdays and special occasions.
Total time 40 minutes
Jump to Recipe

Tangy lemon layer cake is three layers of tender cake separated by layers of luxurious white chocolate ganache. A creamy, whipped lemon frosting covers the whole thing. It's just right for birthdays,  showers, and other special occasions!

For this recipe you'll need: all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, butter, sugar, eggs, milk, lemon juice, lemonade mix, white chocolate, heavy cream, instant lemon pudding, powdered sugar, lemon extract
If you are in a hurry click here to go straight to the lemon layer cake recipe.

This lemon layer cake is filled with white chocolate ganache -- SO yummy! From RestlessChipotle.com

I told you that I had made two cakes for Kyrie and Nick's birthdays -- a chocolate shadow cake and this lemon layer cake. The chocolate one was Nick's and this one was Ky's.

One of the things I love about this particular lemon cake is that the cake is tangy but the filling is rich and sweet. I've used the whipped frosting because it isn't as sweet as American buttercream and it keeps the whole cake a nice balance of flavors and textures.

Lemon is a happy memory flavor for me. When I was little you didn't have mega-markets. You went to the grocery store, the butcher shop, the bakery... It wasn't all in one spot. The bakery we went to was narrow with a long glass case on one side that was filled with pastries, cakes, pies, and donuts. I can't begin to explain the scent that wafted over you when you walked in. Something like sugar-vanilla-apple-cinnamon-lemon-bread-chocolate-cheesecake.

Something like that.

Wouldn't this lemon layer cake be perfect for your next birthday party! From restlesshcipotle.com

Anyway, I was adorable as a child. Really, really adorable. I sat for hours on my mom's dresser while she twisted my long hair into finger curls like Shirley Temple's.

Maybe not hours but it sure felt that way. The only good thing about those giant ringlets was that they were seemingly the key to free pickles from a big barrel at the butcher shop and a free lemon donut at the bakery.

The filling was so puckery sweet  that the insides of your cheeks imploded with each bite. It makes my mouth water just to think of  it... and I am sure there never has been another bakery that can create lemon donuts like those.

Of course time and memories are a wonderful flavor enhancer, don't you think?

I think this cake has the kind of flavor that people will remember like I remember those donuts.

...But if you're looking for an orange layer cake then this is the one you want.

Look how perfect this lemon layer cake looks! From RestlessChipotle.com

The following are affiliate links. If you click through and buy something I will get a small commission used for keeping the blog up and running smoothly. Thank you for being a part of Restless Chipotle!

Lemon extract adds an extra burst of lemon flavor that I love. As far as baking, one of things I've learned is to use good cake pans. I like Wilton's cake pans the best.

Here's that lemon layer cake recipe!

lemon layer cake  reduced
4.63 from 8 votes

Lemon Layer Cake with White Chocolate Mousse Filling

Print Save Go to Collections
Prevent your screen from going dark
A tangy lemon layer cake with a sweet white chocolate ganache filling and a fluffy whipped lemon frosting. Perfect for birthdays and special occasions.
Course Cake
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings:8
Calories:
Author:Marye Audet-White
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Ingredients

  • 3 cups all-purpose flour, 390g
  • 3 teaspoons baking powder, 15g
  • ½ teaspoon salt, 2.84g
  • ¾ cup unsalted butter softened, 170g
  • 2 cups granulated sugar, 400g
  • 4 large eggs + 1 egg yolk
  • ½ teaspoon lemon extract
  • ¼ cup + 2 tablespoons lemon juice, 90.5g
  • 1 tablespoon lemonade mix, 12.5g
  • 1-½ cups milk, 345g

White Chocolate Ganache

  • 12 ounces white chocolate, chopped
  • ½ cup heavy cream

Lemon Cream Frosting

  • 1 quart heavy whipping cream
  • 1 4- serving size package lemon pudding
  • 3 tablespoons powdered sugar - or to taste
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon lemon extract

I earn a commission from Instacart from qualifying purchases.

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350F.
  • Grease and flour 3 8-inch round cake pans with high sides.
  • Set aside.
  • Blend the flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl.
  • Set aside.
  • Add the softened butter the the bowl of a mixer and beat until light and fluffy.
  • Add in the sugar and beat on high until the mixture is light and most of the sugar crystals have dissolved.
  • Add the eggs and egg yolk one at a time, beating well after each.
  • Blend the lemon juice and lemonade mix until the mix is dissolved.
  • Beat into the butter mixture with the lemon extract.
  • Add ⅓ of the flour mixture blending in on low speed.
  • Add ½ the milk, continuing to blend on low.
  • Repeat once more then add the remaining flour.
  • Beat on low, scraping sides once or twice, until the ingredients are blended in and the batter is smooth.
  • Pour an equal amount into each cake pan.
  • Bake for 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
  • Cool in pans 10 minutes then turn out to finish cooling.

White Chocolate Ganache

  • Place chocolate in a small bowl.
  • In a small saucepan, bring cream just to a boil.
  • Pour over chocolate and let sit 5 minutes.
  • Whisk until smooth.
  • Cool, stirring occasionally, to room temperature (30 minutes)
  • Whip with an electric mixer until ganache doubles, about 2 minutes.

Lemon Cream Frosting

  • Add the heavy cream to the chilled bowl of a mixer.
  • Beat on medium and until the mixture starts to thicken then add the pudding mix, powdered sugar, lemon juice, and lemon extract.
  • Beat on high until the frosting is thick and creamy and holds its shape on a spoon.

Assembly

  • Spoon ½ of the ganache over the top of the first layer.
  • Gently add the next layer.
  • Spoon remaining ganache over the top of the second layer.
  • Add the top layer.
  • Poke 4 straws down through the cake to hold it securely.
  • Frost the top and sides thickly with the lemon cream frosting.
  • Refrigerate until serving time.
  • Remove the straws and smooth the top before serving.

Sign up for the emails and never miss another recipe!!

    We'll never share your email or send you spam. Pinkie swear.

    If you liked this lemon layer cake you might also like...

    Cherry Almond Cake

    Southern Coconut Cake

    Chocolate Cake with Raspberry Buttercream Baking a Moment

    Fudge Layer Cake Sweetopolita

    More Layer Cakes Recipes

    • A closeup of cream cheese frosting on the beater.
      Buttercream vs Cream Cheese Frosting
    • A thick layer of white frosting on the whisk attachment of a mixer.
      Best Whipped Cream Cheese Frosting
    • A slice of yellow layer cake with chocolate fudge frosting on a white plate.
      Classic Yellow Cake Recipe
    • Overhead view of cake being sliced for feature image.
      Chocolate Spice Cake
    • Facebook
    • Twitter

    About Marye

    With a 40 year focus on the importance of family and a passion for southern comfort food, Marye Audet-White is an expert in melding the two together effortlessly. Marye's a NY Times Bestselling author with 10 cookbooks under her belt and her recipes have been featured in Good Housekeeping, Country Living, Today, House Beautiful, Texas Living, Food & Wine, and many more.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Alison cox

      January 19, 2021 at 12:19 pm

      Hi this cake looks amazing !! Can i use something other than the lemonade powder and the pudding mix in the recipe?? I live in the uk so would nt know where to find these ingredients .
      Thank you
      Alison

      Reply
      • Marye

        January 19, 2021 at 4:22 pm

        Hi Alison-
        I think you'll need to replace the buttercream on this cake with one of your own. I don't know of any good replacements that will give you that same texture. Sorry!!

    2. Donna F Brock

      August 30, 2019 at 9:44 am

      Cab white chocolate chips be used for the white chocolate?

      Reply
      • Marye

        September 06, 2019 at 1:06 pm

        yes. 🙂

    3. Lynn Copeland

      November 30, 2016 at 7:54 pm

      Is the lemonade mix the type that contains sugar? Attempting to make this for my moms 82 birthday dinner. She loves anything lemon!

      Reply
      • Marye Audet

        December 29, 2016 at 7:28 pm

        Yes, it's the kind with sugar. Sorry it took so long to get back to you. Several comments were misplaced.

    4. Marye Audet

      July 07, 2016 at 1:12 pm

      Thanks Kristen. Yep, those pickles.... yum.

      Reply
    5. laura@motherwouldknow

      July 05, 2016 at 8:03 pm

      I love anything with lemon, but especially cakes and cookies. This one is beautiful to boot! I never had ringlets as a child and my mom never played with my hair, but this cake takes me back to the days of standing in front of the bakery counter just hoping that the nice lady behind the counter would give me a cookie with sprinkles.

      Reply
      • Marye Audet

        July 07, 2016 at 1:14 pm

        YES! I miss being four. :/

    6. Cynthia | What A Girl Eats

      July 05, 2016 at 11:40 am

      I love lemon anything! This sounds yummy!

      Reply
      • Marye Audet

        July 07, 2016 at 1:13 pm

        It was amazing. 🙂

    7. Catherine

      July 05, 2016 at 9:09 am

      Dear Marye, what a beautiful cake to celebrate with. This looks perfect and so pretty. I wish I had a slice too! xo, Catherine

      Reply
      • Marye Audet

        July 07, 2016 at 1:12 pm

        Thanks so much, Catherine!

    8. Aimee @ ShugarySweets

      July 05, 2016 at 8:52 am

      I am such a sucker for lemon desserts. This cake is gorgeous!

      Reply
      • Marye Audet

        July 07, 2016 at 1:12 pm

        Thanks Aimee! It was so good.

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Love it? Give it 5 stars!




    Primary Sidebar

    Marye Audet-White, founder of Restless Chipotle Media

    Hey Y'all, I'm Marye.

    NY Times bestselling author. 10 cookbooks. Mom of 8 kids. Homeschooling mom for 22 years. Addicted to Hallmark Christmas Movies.

    More about me →

    🐰 Easter

    • Closeup of a finished roll for the feature image.
      Easy Easter Rolls
    • Easter chicks cookies in a dish.
      Nutter Butter Easter Chicks
    • Very close shot of pineapple casserole showing the texture of the cracker crumb topping.
      Southern Pineapple Casserole Recipe
    • A cropped view of this recipe in a glass bowl for the feature image.
      Banana Pudding Recipe from Scratch

    👑 Reader Favorites

    • A marble plate displays a strawberry bundt cake with 2 slices cut to show the red cake color.
      Strawberry Pound Cake Recipe
    • Wooden spatula removing fried potatoes out of iron skillet.
      Crispy Fried Potatoes
    • A sliced loaf of english muffin bread.
      English Muffin Bread Recipe
    • Two finished loaves of Amish white bread cooling on a table.
      No Fail Amish White Bread

    Footer

    ^ back to top

    About

    • About Marye Audet-White
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Accessibility Policy
    MaryeAudet Whiteandherchildren Dec

    Featured in:

    Companies that Marye Audet-White and Restless Chipotle have been affiliated with.

    Contact Marye

    • Contact

    My new blog for bread bakers:

    Love baking bread? Click here to check out my new blog!

    Logo for breadcrumbs in the butter blog.
    Check out my new blog!

    Copyright ©2006 - 2023 Restless Chipotle Media, LLC