Recipes: January 2007 Archives

Sunnyday's Lemon Squares

I am definitely adding this to my WW menu.

Two weeks ago, I joined Weight Watchers (again). I signed up for the Core plan which is very similar to my diabetic diet. Since I am already a super hottie, I really need to lose weight for health reasons. I am at strong risk for developing Type II diabetes if I am not careful.

Week one, I lost three pounds. Last week, I gained back two. It is totally not my fault though! I found lemons in the pantry. They were going to go bad. I had to do something with lemons. So of course, I had to make Lemon Poppy Seed Cake. I mean so, the recipe has 6 eggs, and 2 1/2 cups of sugar, and 2 sticks of butter, but I used fat free sour cream! Give me some credit! Lemons are fat free!

If you don't get AOL and wish to join me on my weight gain loss journey, here's the recipe:
Lemon-Poppy Seed Cake Batter
From Southern Living

Prep: 15 min.

1 cup butter, softened
2 1/2 cups sugar
6 large eggs
3 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 (8-ounce) container sour cream
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 tablespoons grated lemon rind
2 tablespoons poppy seeds

Beat butter at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy. Gradually add sugar, beating until light and fluffy. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating just until blended after each addition.

Stir together flour and baking soda. Add to butter mixture alternately with sour cream, beating at low speed just until blended, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Stir in vanilla; stir in lemon rind and poppy seeds. Use batter immediately, following baking directions for desired cake in "Pick a Pan" below.

Pick a Pan: Lemon-Poppy Seed Cake Batter can be baked in lots of different shapes and sizes--just use these times as a guideline, and be sure to grease and flour your pans. With smaller muffin pans and molds, we found it easier to use a vegetable cooking spray with flour. Check for doneness at the minimum time range, continuing to bake until a wooden pick inserted in the center comes out clean. Variations with added fruit and nuts will require the maximum time and yield more mini cakes.

Bake at 325° in 1 (12-cup) tube pan for 1 hour and 15 minutes to 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Bake at 325° in 3 (8- x 4-inch) loaf pans for 55 to 65 minutes.

Bake at 325° in 7 to 9 (5- x 3-inch) loaf pans for 25 to 35 minutes.

Bake at 325° in baby Bundt pans for 25 to 30 minutes. Makes 14 to 16 baby Bundt cakes. (Spoon 1/2 cup batter in each 1-cup mold.)

Bake at 350° in muffin pans 23 to 28 minutes. Makes 32 to 38 cupcakes.

Bake at 350° in miniature muffin pans for 9 to 11 minutes. Makes about 9 to 10 dozen cupcakes.

Yield: Makes about 7 cups