Yield: Three 8 x 2-inch layers
3¼ cups (375 g) cake flour, sifted
1 tablespoon, plus 1 teaspoon baking powder
¾ teaspoon salt
2¼ cups (450 g) superfine sugar
¾ cup (170 g) cold unsalted butter, cut into pieces
1½ cups (360 ml) milk, room temperature
2 teaspoons LorAnn’s Princess Cake and Cookie Baking Emulsion*
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
7 large egg whites, room temperature*
Heat the oven to 350 F. Grease the bottoms of three 8 x 2-inch round cake pans and line with parchment
Into the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, sift together the flour, baking powder and salt. Add the sugar. With the mixer running on low speed, add the cold butter one piece at a time. Beat until all of the butter is incorporated, about 3 minutes. The mixture should have a fine crumbly, cornmeal-like texture.
In a medium measuring cup with a spout, combine half the milk, the emulsion and lemon juice. In a separate measuring cup, gently whisk the egg whites and remaining milk. Increase the mixer speed to medium-low and gradually add the emulsion mixture and beat for 5 minutes. Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl with a rubber spatula. Reduce the mixer speed to low and gradually add the egg white mixture. Beat for 2 minutes, occasionally stopping to scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl. Fold the batter once or twice to ensure everything has been incorporated. Divide the batter evenly among the prepared pans.
Bake the first two layers in the center of the oven until a wooden pick inserted into the center comes out with a few crumbs, 20 to 22 minutes. Repeat with the final layer. Let the cake layers cool in their pans on wire racks for 10 minutes. Using a knife, loosen the sides of the cakes and carefully turn them out onto wire racks. Peel off the paper liners and let cool completely.
The cake layers will keep wrapped tightly in plastic wrap at room temperature for up to 2 days.
*Kitchen Ade note: LorAnn’s Princess Cake and Cookie Baking Emulsion has a “light, nutty taste accented with undertones of citrus and rich vanilla. Use it wherever you want to impart a creamy flavor. Delicious as a flavoring for buttercream frosting. Flavor combination: vanilla, almond and lemon.” It may be purchased directly from the company at http://shop.lorannoils.com. I did not have the emulsion on hand for making this cake, so I flavored the cake with 2½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract. The vanilla cake was delicious, but I have since ordered the emulsion for trying next time.
Separating eggs: Separate eggs while they are cold, but allow to come to room temperature before using.
