-
1
ASSEMBLE THE CAKE Preheat the oven to 350.
-
2
Butter two 9-inch round cake pans and line the bottoms with parchment paper.
-
3
Butter the paper and dust the pans lightly with flour, tapping out any excess.
-
4
ASSEMBLE THE CAKE In a medium bowl, sift together the cake flour, baking powder and salt.
-
5
ASSEMBLE THE CAKE In the bowl of a standing mixer, beat the butter with the sugar at high speed until fluffy, about 5 minutes.
-
6
Add the eggs and egg yolks, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition.
-
7
Beat in the vanilla.
-
8
Beat in the flour mixture at low speed in 3 batches, alternating with the milk; beat just until smooth.
-
9
ASSEMBLE THE CAKE Scrape the batter into the prepared pans and smooth the surfaces.
-
10
Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center of each cake comes out clean.
-
11
Let the cakes cool on racks for 10 minutes, then unmold them onto the racks; let cool completely.
-
12
ASSEMBLE THE CAKE Fill a large bowl with ice water.
-
13
In a heavy, medium saucepan, whisk the egg yolks with the sugar, lemon juice and salt.
-
14
Add the butter and cook over moderate heat, stirring constantly, until the curd is thick and just beginning to simmer, about 5 minutes.
-
15
Set the saucepan in the water bath and chill the curd, whisking occasionally.
-
16
ASSEMBLE THE CAKE In a saucepan, bring 1 inch of water to a boil.
-
17
In the clean bowl of a standing mixer, whisk the sugar, egg whites and lemon juice.
-
18
Set the bowl over the saucepan and cook, whisking constantly, until the sugar dissolves, about 6 minutes.
-
19
ASSEMBLE THE CAKE Return the bowl to the mixer and beat the meringue at medium speed for 10 minutes, or until cooled to room temperature.
-
20
Continue beating at high speed until the meringue is thick, shiny and billowy, about 15 minutes longer.
-
21
ASSEMBLE THE CAKE Using a serrated knife, trim the cake tops to make them level.
-
22
Halve each cake horizontally.
-
23
Set 1 layer on a cake plate, cut side up, and spread it with one-third of the lemon curd.
-
24
Set another layer on top and spread with another third of the curd.
-
25
Repeat once more and then top with the final cake layer.
-
26
With a large offset spatula, frost the side of the cake with a thin layer of the meringue.
-
27
Top the cake with the remaining meringue and swirl decoratively, then serve.