This easy-peasy layer cake is baked in a single pan.

And thats exactly what this cake is.

Hannah Hufham; Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling; Prop Stylist: Christina Daley

Preheat oven to 350F.

Southern Living Lemon Buttermilk Cake sliced and ready to serve

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Coat a 13- x 9-inch baking pan with cooking spray.

Line with parchment paper.

Whisk together flour, baking powder, and 1 teaspoon salt in a medium bowl.

Southern Living Lemon Buttermilk Cake ingredients

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Stir together buttermilk, vanilla, and 1/4 cup lemon juice in a large liquid measuring cup.

Add 1 cup butter; beat on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.

Transfer batter to prepared pan; smooth into an even layer.

Southern Living Lemon Buttermilk Cake preparing the wet and dry ingredients

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Bake in preheated oven until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean, 30 to 32 minutes.

Let cool in pan on a wire rack for 15 minutes.

Remove from pan onto rack, and discard parchment.

Southern Living Lemon Buttermilk Cake creaming the butter and sugar

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Brush Lemon Cake Soak over warm cake.

Let cool completely, about 90 minutes.

With mixer on low speed, gradually beat in powdered sugar until smooth and fluffy, about 3 minutes.

Southern Living Lemon Buttermilk Cake adding the eggs to the batter

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Add food coloring, if desired; beat 30 seconds more.

Cut cake in half crosswise.

Place 1 half on a serving plate; spread 1 cup frosting over top.

Southern Living Lemon Buttermilk Cake adding the flour mixture and buttermilk mixtures to the cake batter

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Chill, uncovered, until frosting is firm, about 20 minutes.

Place second cake half on top; spread remaining frosting over top and sides.

Serve at room temperature.

Southern Living Lemon Buttermilk Cake spreading the batter in the pan

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Garnish with lemon slices, if desired.

Lemon Cake Soak

ACTIVE 5 MIN.

  • TOTAL 5 MIN.MAKES 6 TBSP.

Southern Living Lemon Buttermilk Cake brushing the cake soak on the cake layer

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Recipe Tips From TheSouthern LivingKitchen:

Southern Living Lemon Buttermilk Cake frosting after adding the food coloring

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Southern Living Lemon Buttermilk Cake adding the frosting between the layers

Credit:Hannah Hufham; Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling; Prop Stylist: Christina Daley

Southern Living Lemon Buttermilk Cake spreading the rest of the frosting over the cake

Credit:Hannah Hufham; Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling; Prop Stylist: Christina Daley

Southern Living Lemon Buttermilk Cake sliced and ready to serve

Credit:Hannah Hufham; Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling; Prop Stylist: Christina Daley

Southern Living Lemon Buttermilk Cake Soak in the pan

Credit:Hannah Hufham; Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling; Prop Stylist: Christina Daley