Lemon Filled Meringue Cake Recipe

How to Make Lemon Filled Meringue Cake

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 8-inch round cake pans.
2. In a large bowl, cream together 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter and ½ cup granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Add 4 large egg yolks, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
4. Stir in 1 cup milk and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.
5. In a separate bowl, whisk together 2 cups all-purpose flour and 2 teaspoons baking powder.
6. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
7. Beat for 2 minutes on medium speed.
8. Divide batter evenly between the prepared cake pans.
9. In a clean bowl, beat 4 large egg whites with 1 teaspoon lemon juice until soft peaks form.
10. Gradually add 1 cup granulated sugar, beating until stiff, glossy peaks form.
11. Spread the meringue evenly over the cake batter in each pan.
12. Sprinkle ½ cup slivered almonds over one meringue layer.
13. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
14. Let cakes cool in pans for 10 minutes before inverting onto a wire rack to cool completely.
15. **Lemon Filling:** In a medium saucepan, whisk together ¼ cup cornstarch, 1 cup granulated sugar, and 1 ½ cups milk.
16. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture comes to a boil and thickens.
17. In a small bowl, whisk together 2 large egg yolks.
18. Temper the egg yolks by slowly whisking in a small amount of the hot cornstarch mixture.
19. Pour the tempered egg yolks into the saucepan and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
20. Remove from heat and stir in the zest and juice of 2 lemons.
21. **Whipped Cream Frosting:** In a chilled bowl, beat 2 cups heavy cream with ¼ cup powdered sugar until soft peaks form.
22. **Assemble the Cake:** Place one cake layer, meringue side down, on a serving plate.
23. Spread the lemon filling evenly over the cake layer.
24. Top with the second cake layer, almond side up.
25. Frost the edges of the cake with the whipped cream.