A bundt cake dusted with powdered sugar on a decorative white plate, placed on a wooden surface.

Heaven Cake

This is a beloved recipe in my family that comes from my just gorgeous Auntie Stella. It shines bright (just like Stella!) and is bursting with the beautiful flavor of fresh lemon. To create the heavenly texture, the secret is to mix the baking powder with fresh lemon juice to activate it, then quickly mix it into the batter before it heads to the oven. This bubbly love potion gives the cake a bouncy and light as air texture. Share this recipe with someone you love!

Illustration of the pasta queen golden crown with five rounded points and a row of circular decorations at the base.

Auntie Stella’s Heaven Cake

Serves 10 to 12

Ingredients

Imperial or Metric

Butter, as needed for greasing the pan
3 eggs
2 lemons, zest and juice
2 cups granulated sugar
3 cups flour, plus more for the pan
1 cup milk
½ cup neutral oil of choice
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon baking powder
Powdered sugar, to garnish

Method

Preheat the oven to 350˚F. Generously butter a 10-cup capacity Bundt pan and set aside.
In a large bowl, combine eggs and zest of both lemons. Beat with a hand mixer on medium speed for about 2 minutes, or until the eggs start to foam and turn light yellow.
Add the sugar and continue mixing at medium speed for about 2 minutes more, or until sugar has dissolved.
Set a fine mesh strainer over the bowl and sift the flour in to remove any clumps. Mix briefly at medium speed until combined, about 1 to 2 minutes. Add milk, oil and vanilla extract and mix until combined.
In a small bowl, add the juice of two lemons, then stir in baking powder. It should bubble up exuberantly, just like you are!
Add the baking powder and lemon mixture to the bowl and mix one more time to fully incorporate, about 1 to 2 minutes.
Scrape the batter into the prepared pan and bake for about 65 to 75 minutes, or until a cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean.
Let cool for at least 20 minutes in the pan, then invert onto a wire rack to cool fully.
Once cool, set on a cake plate or platter and dust with powdered sugar before serving.

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Heaven Cake

Auntie Stella’s Heaven Cake

Ingredients

Method