-
1
Place a rack in the lower third of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F. Butter and flour the pan of your choice.
-
2
Sift the flour and salt into a medium bowl and set aside.
-
3
Whisk the whole eggs, yolks, milk, and the vanilla together in a 4-cup measuring cup or bowl, and set aside.
-
4
In a heavy duty mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter at a medium speed until smooth, about 1 minute.
-
5
Gradually pour in the sugar, 1/4 cup at a time, to cream and lighten the butter.
-
6
(This should take about 3 minutes.)
-
7
Once all the sugar is added, turn the machine off and scrape down the sides of the bowl and paddle with a rubber spatula.
-
8
Continue to beat the butter mixture until light and fluffy, about 4 minutes.
-
9
Add the lemon zest and beat for 30 seconds more.
-
10
Turn the machine off and scrape the sides of the bowl again to assure even incorporation of the ingredients.
-
11
Turn the mixer to its lowest setting.
-
12
Gradually pour in the flour, 1/4 cup at a time, and beat the batter for 30 seconds.
-
13
Gradually add the egg mixture.
-
14
(It should take about a minute to pour all of it into the batter.)
-
15
Remove the bowl from the mixer, scrape any batter off the paddle, and finish stirring the egg mixture into the batter with a rubber spatula.
-
16
Take care not to over mix the batter, but make sure that you scrape the bottom of the bowl to evenly incorporate all of the ingredients.
-
17
Spoon the batter into the prepared pan and smooth over the top with a spatula.
-
18
Put the cake in the oven and reduce the temperature to 325 degrees F. Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, and the top springs back when lightly pressed, about 1 hour and 30 minutes, for the tube or Bundt pans; and 50 minutes to 1 hour for loaf pans.
-
19
Cool the cake, in the pan, on a rack, for 10 to 15 minutes.
-
20
Invert the cake onto a flat plate or cardboard.
-
21
Re-invert the cake and set it right side up on the rack to cool completely.
-
22
If not serving the same day, wrap in plastic wrap and store at room temperature, for 4 to 5 days or freeze for 1 month.