Lemon Cake with Fruit

A moist and buttery lemon cake topped with seasonal fruits and finished with a dusting of powdered sugar. This versatile dessert features a tender crumb infused with fresh lemon zest and can be made with your choice of pears, apples, or berries.

12 servings
1 hr 25 min

Ingredients

  • 1 cup unsalted butter
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • tsp kosher salt
  • 1 whole lemon
  • 1⅞ cups granulated sugar
  • 3 whole large eggs
  • 1 whole large egg yolk
  • 3 Tbsp brandy
  • 2 lb mixed fruit
  • ¼ cup powdered sugar

Cooking Instructions

  1. 1.

    Place a rack in middle of oven and preheat to 350°F. Butter and flour a 13x9" baking pan. Whisk baking powder, salt, and 2 cups flour in a medium bowl. Finely grate lemon zest into another medium bowl. Slice lemon in half; set aside. Add 1 2/3 cups granulated sugar to zest and work with your fingers until mixture is fragrant and looks like wet sand, about 1 minute.

    10 min

  2. 2.

    Using an electric mixer on medium speed, beat 1 cup butter in a large bowl until smooth, about 20 seconds. Add sugar mixture, increase speed to medium-high, and beat until very light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Reduce speed to medium and add eggs one at a time, beating well between additions; mix in egg yolk. Reduce speed to low and gradually add dry ingredients. Beat just until incorporated, then add brandy and beat just until smooth. Fold batter a few times with a rubber spatula; scrape into prepared pan and smooth top. Scatter fruit over (do not press down). Squeeze a reserved lemon half over fruit (save other half for another use) and sprinkle with remaining 3 Tbsp. granulated sugar.

    15 min

  3. 3.

    Bake cake until sides are golden brown and top is golden, 55-65 minutes. Let cool; cut into squares. Serve dusted with powdered sugar.

    60 min

  4. 4.

    Cake can be baked 2 days ahead. Store tightly wrapped at room temperature.