One of my work colleagues has a farm in country Victoria and every so often will arrive at the office with bags full of herbs or citrus for us to help ourselves to. The other day it was lemons and I happily helped myself to a rather large armful (or two!) of them to bring home with me.
Turns out a large pile of lemons are rather heavy to lug around when you walk everywhere, but given I use them in pretty much everything (and my normal supplier, my mum, doesn’t have many to spare at the moment) I knew it would be worth the pain. I decided at least a few of them needed to go in something a bit special, so a lemony cake seemed the perfect solution.
Ingredients List
- 120g butter
- 1/2 cup caster sugar
- 1/4 cup coconut sugar (or additional caster sugar)
- 2 medium lemons (juice and zest)
- 2 eggs
- 1 1/3 cups self-raising flour
- Pinch salt
- 1/2tsp baking powder
- 120ml coconut milk
- 1/2 cup coconut flakes
For the glaze
- Juice of a lemon
- 1 cup icing sugar
- Coconut flakes
Steps
- Preheat oven to 180C
- Cream butter, sugars and lemon juice until combined
- Add eggs one at a time and beat until combined
- Fold in the baking powder and salt and half the flour, then add the milk and the remaining flour
- Fold in the zest and coconut flakes
- Pour into a lined loaf tin and bake for 50-60 minutes, until cooked through and lightly browned on top
- Cool in the pan for 10 minutes then pop on a wire rack
- To make the glaze, whisk together the lemon juice and sifted icing sugar until combined and lump-free
- Poke some holes in the top of the cake then slowly pour over the glaze, letting it run down the sides of the cake as well. Spread with a spatular if needed
- Sprinkle with coconut and leave to harden
- Enjoy!
The cake itself has a nice lemony flavour but the glaze really brings the zing, which I really love. There’s nothing worse than something being described as lemon flavoured and not being able to taste the lemon! The cake itself is light & fluffy with the coconut flavour playing an excellent second-fiddle to the zesty lemon. It’s hard to stop yourself at one piece!
So, shall I pop the kettle on? Who wants a slice?
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I Spy Plum Pie is Liz, an early 30s kiwi-born, Melbourne raised girl who is passionate about the environment and sustainability, food, exploring and learning new things. Join me on my journey to a happy, sustainable life!
Lila
August 25, 2014 at 3:54 pm (10 years ago)That looks lovely!
Lila recently posted…Little Veggie Kitchen – Bloomin’ Marvellous Ice-cream
I Spy Plum Pie (admin)
August 28, 2014 at 11:16 am (10 years ago)Thanks Lila!
Elizabeth
August 25, 2014 at 10:25 pm (10 years ago)Looks fab, love a good coconut cake.
Elizabeth recently posted…Vegetarian Singapore noodles
I Spy Plum Pie (admin)
August 28, 2014 at 11:16 am (10 years ago)Coconut is just such a versatile ingredient isn’t it!
Ana
August 29, 2014 at 9:02 am (10 years ago)Yum, and a nice reminder that it will be spring soon and time for some lighter fare.
Stopping by with the fab friday foodie link up.
Ana recently posted…Spinach & ricotta dumplings.
I Spy Plum Pie (admin)
August 29, 2014 at 7:39 pm (10 years ago)Yep, can’t wait for Spring!
DebH
August 29, 2014 at 10:50 am (10 years ago)Sounds and looks yum.
DebH recently posted…Malt Biscuits
I Spy Plum Pie (admin)
August 29, 2014 at 7:40 pm (10 years ago)Thanks Deb!
Anne
August 29, 2014 at 3:46 pm (10 years ago)Lemon and coconut – two of my most favourite things. Looks and sounds delicious and one to definitely try.
Anne recently posted…The Last of the Lemons
I Spy Plum Pie (admin)
August 29, 2014 at 7:40 pm (10 years ago)Mine too! Thanks Anne, I hope you like it!
Kate @rosehipsrhubarb
August 30, 2014 at 6:12 pm (10 years ago)I agree that there’s nothing worse than a lemon cake that doesn’t taste lemony enough. Your cakes looks delicious.
Kate @rosehipsrhubarb recently posted…On the Cusp
I Spy Plum Pie (admin)
September 1, 2014 at 4:33 pm (10 years ago)Thanks Kate!
Danielle L
August 31, 2014 at 11:21 pm (10 years ago)This looks fabulous. I have some coconut sugar I need to use so this will be perfect. I’ve pinned it and look forward to making it – I like to gather lemons whenever I can as well. I get very excited it I find a good lemon tree out on a walk and can bring a bounty home!
Danielle L recently posted…Working Out with your Baby: HIIT with a BITT Week One
I Spy Plum Pie (admin)
September 1, 2014 at 4:34 pm (10 years ago)It’s great how many lemon trees hang over fences isn’t it! I have a little one starting to grow on my balcony but I’m definitely reliant on my mum most of the time! Luckily she has quite a few lemon trees!