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Perfect Golden Lion Birthday Cake Recipe with Easy Cream Cheese Frosting

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A moist and tender golden lion birthday cake with a rich caramel undertone, topped with a smooth and fluffy cream cheese frosting with a hint of citrus. Perfect for birthdays and celebrations, this cake is a nostalgic crowd-pleaser made with simple pantry staples.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 ½ cups (320g) all-purpose flour, sifted
  • 2 ½ teaspoons baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup (225g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 ½ cups (300g) brown sugar, packed
  • ¼ cup (85g) golden syrup (or light corn syrup or honey as substitute)
  • 3 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 cup (240ml) whole milk, room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 8 oz (225g) cream cheese, softened
  • ½ cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 3 cups (360g) powdered sugar, sifted
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease two 9-inch round cake pans with butter and lightly dust with flour or line with parchment paper.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together sifted flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
  3. Using a mixer, beat softened butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy, about 4-5 minutes.
  4. Slowly blend in golden syrup. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
  5. Alternate adding dry ingredients and milk to the butter mixture, beginning and ending with dry ingredients. Mix gently until just combined.
  6. Fold in vanilla extract quickly but thoroughly.
  7. Divide batter evenly between pans and smooth tops with a spatula.
  8. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and edges pull slightly from the pan.
  9. Let cakes rest in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
  10. For frosting, beat cream cheese and softened butter until smooth and creamy, about 3 minutes.
  11. Gradually add powdered sugar and beat until fluffy.
  12. Mix in fresh lemon juice and vanilla extract until just combined.
  13. Place one cake layer on serving plate, spread an even layer of frosting, then top with second layer.
  14. Use remaining frosting to cover top and sides, smoothing with an offset spatula.
  15. Chill cake for 20-30 minutes before slicing to let frosting set.

Notes

Use softened butter at room temperature for best creaming results. Do not overmix batter after adding flour to keep cake tender. Chill frosting if too soft before applying. For clean slices, chill cake 20-30 minutes before cutting. Golden syrup can be substituted with light corn syrup or honey (honey will alter flavor). For gluten-free, use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. For dairy-free, substitute cream cheese and butter with vegan alternatives and use almond or oat milk.

Nutrition

Keywords: birthday cake, golden lion cake, cream cheese frosting, easy cake recipe, moist cake, celebration cake, caramel cake

Find it online: https://evabakery.com/perfect-golden-lion-birthday-cake-recipe-with-easy-cream-cheese-frosting/