Lemon Cake with Cranberry Filling: A Zesty and Sweet Delight

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans or line them with parchment paper.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
In a large bowl, cream together the butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy (about 3 minutes).
Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract, lemon zest, and lemon juice.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the milk. Begin and end with the dry ingredients, mixing just until combined.
Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans and smooth the tops.
Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cakes comes out clean.
Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then remove them from the pans and cool completely on a wire rack.
Step 2: Make the Cranberry Filling
In a medium saucepan, combine the cranberries, sugar, and water. Bring to a simmer over medium heat.
Stir occasionally and cook for 8-10 minutes, or until the cranberries have burst and softened.
If you’d like a thicker filling, mix the cornstarch with a tablespoon of water to create a slurry, then add it to the cranberry mixture. Stir constantly until the filling thickens (about 2 minutes).
Remove from heat and stir in the lemon juice. Let the filling cool to room temperature.
Step 3: Assemble the Cake
Once the cakes have cooled completely, place one layer of the cake on a serving platter.
Spread the cranberry filling evenly over the top of the first layer.
Place the second layer of cake on top of the cranberry filling, pressing down gently to adhere.
Step 4: Frost (Optional)
To make the frosting, beat together the softened butter, powdered sugar, lemon juice, and vanilla extract in a medium bowl. Gradually add the milk until you reach your desired consistency for spreading.
Frost the top and sides of the cake with the lemon frosting, if desired.
Serving and Storage Tips