Lemon Yogurt Cake

This is one of my favorite recipes from the Barefoot Contessa.If you love lemon,then this is the dessert for you!This cake will make a wonderful addition to your Mother's Day brunch or luncheon.I guarantee it will become a favorite among all of you citrus lovers!FYI,it taste super delicious when it is warm!Prepare to pucker!

Ingredients:
1-1/2 c. flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1 c. plain,whole milk yogurt(I use Stonyfield Farms)
1 c. sugar
3 eggs
2 tsp. lemon zest(2 lemons)
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1/2 c. vegetable oil

   In a large bowl,whisk together the yogurt,sugar,eggs,vanilla & lemon zest.Add the baking powder,salt & flour,mixing just until combined.Add the oil,and mix gently until all ingredients are incorporated.
    Grease and flour a loaf pan(8 1/2 x 4 1/4 x 2 1/2 inch).Pour the batter into the pan.Bake at 350 degrees for 50 minutes,or until a cake tester comes out clean.Let cool for 10 minutes.Carefully remove from the pan,and place on a cooling rack over a sheet pan.Drizzle ,turning the cake upside down,with the lemon syrup(recipe below).Let cool,then glaze (recipe below). Enjoy!!!

Lemon Syrup:
1/3 c. sugar
1/3 c. fresh lemon juice

    This is basically a simple syrup.In a small saucepan,combine the lemon juice and sugar over medium heat just until the sugar dissolves.Set aside until ready to pour over the cake.

Lemon Glaze:
1 c. powdered sugar
2 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice

    Mix the sugar and juice together in a small bowl.Pour the glaze over the lemon cake,then serve!

Special Deliveries

   I hope all of you enjoyed your Mother's Day.Mine was peaceful,and calm,which is very unusual for our house.We all relaxed most of the day,then we took the boys (3 out of 4 ) for haircuts,followed by a nice dinner down by the beach.One thing about the day truly stood out...that was my son Timmy delivering lemon cakes to all of our neighboring moms.This has become a bit of a tradition with him.On Mother's Day ,and Father's Day,he likes to pick out one of our favorite recipes,make it together,then he sets off on his mission.This year,he chose the Lemon Yogurt Cakes.He loves our neighbors,and takes great pride in offering them homemade sweets.We hope they all enjoyed eating them as much as we enjoyed making them!The adorable cake containers are from Shop Sweet Lulu http://www.shopsweetlulu.com/ ,and the printable lemon tags are from Cupcake Cuties Etsy shop http://www.cupcakecuties.blogspot.com/  ,and were the "icing on the cake" so to speak.Here are some pics...

   Now,we need to decide what to make for Father's day!

Dessert Recipes for a Mother's Day Brunch Table

Mother's Day is Sunday, so I thought I'd share a few tried and true recipes with you that are sure to please Mom.

This Lemon Cake from Ina Garten is a favorite in my home. Made with yogurt, it has a  extra tang and is absolutely delicious!
  

Another great lemon recipe is this Lemon Blueberry cake. Easy to make and leftovers(if there are any) can be wrapped well and frozen.
 

 Elegant Cookie Mousse Cups make a beautiful addition to any brunch table.
  

Here are a few more favorite brunch dessert ideas.

Lemon Bars

Madelines

Chocolate Sour Cream Loaf

Cinnamon Mocha Tart

Mousse Filled Crepes with Vanilla Sauce

Fruit Crumb Bars

 I hope you will try a recipe or two and enjoy them as much as we do! Check in tomorrow for some Mother's Day breakfast ideas!

Have a sweet day!

Blackberry Sauce

   This is basically the same as the raspberry sauce,except this recipe uses lemons,rather than oranges.
 Ingredients:
1 pint blackberries
1/4 c. sugar(you may add more if the berries aren't super-sweet)
2 tbsp. lemon juice
2 tbsp. cornstarch
1 c. water
  In a saucepan,combine the blackberries,sugar and lemon juice.In another bowl,combine the cornstarch & water.Add the cornstarch mixture to the blackberry mixture.Bring to a boil.Reduce heat and let simmer for 5 minutes.Puree the mixture in a blender or food processor.Strain through a sieve.
  This sauce keeps up to two weeks in the refrigerator.It is great spooned over ice-cream ,yogurt,or pound cake.