I was sent a box full of yoghurts by Chobani this week. I would have taken a picture but Mr OC likes yoghurts and has eaten most of them before I have had a chance to get the camera out of the drawer. I was initially a little bit disappointed that they were all flavoured yoghurts. I am partial to a plain yoghurt and I wanted one to cook with. However, there was a lemon flavoured one and I have been craving a lemon cake recently. Problem solved. You can, of course, just add plain greek yoghurt, but this lemon flavoured yoghurt made the cake extra lemony – always a good thing in my opinion. The cake is very light, very lemony and has a very slight crunch with the semolina. I topped it with a lemon icing which is just icing sugar and lemon juice mixed to a pouring consistency.
3 eggs, separated
100g caster sugar
grated rind and juice of 1 lemon
150g lemon flavoured or plain greek-style yoghurt
50g semolina
50g ground almonds
Method
Preheat the oven to 180°c, gas mark 4 or use the centre of the baking oven of the Aga. Grease and line a 2lb loaf tin or an 18cm round cake tin.
Beat the egg yolks, sugar and rind and juice of the lemon together until light and fluffy and the whisks are making a trail in the mixture. Fold in the yoghurt, semolina and ground almonds. Beat the egg whites until they form stiff peaks. Fold the egg whites into the cake mixture.
Pour the mixture into the cake tin and cook in the preheated oven for 25 – 30 minutes until it feels firm on top and a skewer comes out clean. Â Leave it in the tin for ten minutes and then turn out onto a wire rack.
When cool, ice with a lemon icing using 100g icing sugar and the juice of a lemon, adding the lemon juice gradually as you might not need all of it to get the pouring consistency that you want.
Thank you to Amy of Chobani for sending me free samples of their yoghurt. No fee was received was for this post.
These yoghourts cakes are a bit of a standard amongst good home-bakers here in France. I think they deserve a wider public, so thanks. The lemon yoghourt sounds an inspired idea.
I agree yoghurt should be in more cakes, it improves the texture. I have quite a collection of yoghurt cakes on here now. x
🙂
Yogurt, it seems, has taken the place of sour cream as a better, healthier way to enrich the batter. Very clever way to use the lemon yogurt, Kath. I generally use plain yogurt, too.
Thank you Nancy. I have never tried lemon yoghurt before this.
I always love lemon cake and yogurt makes a very moist tender crumb. I haven’t come across adding semolina before but you could get people guessing what the crunch in the cake is…..I would love a slice Kath.
Thanks Maggie, the semolina adds a bit of depth to a very light cake. You would be very welcome to a slice, too.
Kath I made your lemon cake yesterday. My husband thinks this lemon cake is the best and I agree with him. Thank you for the recipe. Sue Toms
Thank you Sue, I am glad you enjoyed it. Did you use plain or lemon flavoured yoghurt? I am intrigued. Kath
Ooh, that cake looks so delicious and it’s got a proper lemon colour to it too Kath. I only ever buy plain yogurt, so would be at a bit of a loss as to what to do with flavoured ones, but this seems like an excellent solution for the lemon one.
Well, I needed to get in quick before Mr OC finished them off. I think the colour might largely be due to my chickens’ corn and cabbage diet.x
kath i used lemon yoghurt and it was delicious. Two friends who tasted this cake have gone away with the recipie.
Thank you Sue, curiosity now satisfied. I am really pleased that you and your friends enjoyed it and that you shared the recipe.
Love Lemon Cake! Always what I choose when we go out for afternoon tea. Didn’t know you could use yoghurt though, so I will try that next time I make one. The more lemony the better, as you say! xCathy
This looks great! I love lemon in the winter. Well, actually, I love lemon all year. Thanks!
Thank you lovely Denise, wishing you a very happy Christmas. I hope there is space for reading, writing and enjoying a coffee. x