Sunday, August 9, 2020

Lemon Cake by Shari Randall + #Giveaway

MAYA: Please welcome my friend, Shari Randall, an award-winning mystery writer. One of my favorite memories is of having afternoon tea with her at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel in Toronto. Today's she's sharing a recipe for lemon tea cake and offering a book GIVEAWAY. Leave a comment at the end of this post to enter a drawing for one of her mysteries. You're up, Shari!


SHARI: Nothing says summer like the bright tang of lemons. Lemonade and lemon Italian ice are some of my favorite treats of summer, along with my favorite dessert, Lemon Tea Cake. There are many variations of this cake, and it goes by many names, such as Lemon Tea Cake or Lemon Pound Cake, but I think this version is perfection.
This cake bursts with lemon flavor thanks to a glaze of lemon juice and confectioner’s sugar added when the just-baked cake is pulled from the oven. The cake mixes up quickly and you can dress it up or down. Frost it if you wish (omit the glaze), serve with a simple side of fresh summer berries, or enjoy it as is. At my daughter’s suggestion, I decorated the cake with slices of candied lemon for a novel sweet-tart touch.
The recipe came to me from a friend’s mom who made my wedding cake. Thanks, Mrs. F! I hope you enjoy this taste of summer curled up in a shady spot with a good read. The cake tastes great accompanied by tea or coffee, hot or iced. Enjoy!

Ingredients

6 Tbsp butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs, beaten
½ cup milk
1-1/2 cups flour
¼ tsp salt
1 tsp baking powder
Freshly grated rind of one lemon


Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour a loaf pan.
Cream butter and granulated sugar, then add lemon rind and eggs. 
Sift the dry ingredients and add to the butter mixture with the milk. Beat the batter until smooth. 

Pour batter into a greased and floured loaf pan. Bake 1 hour at 350. (Check at 55 minutes.)




To make the glaze, mix ½ cup powdered sugar with the juice of one lemon. Pour the mixture over the hot cake as soon as it comes out of the oven.

Once the cake is cooled, top it with candied lemons if desired.



Candied Lemon Slices
1 cup sugar
1 large lemon
Slice a lemon into 8-12 very thin slices – use a mandoline if you have one. Discard seeds and ends.
Prepare an ice bath (bowl of cold water with ice cubes) and set it aside.
Bring a medium saucepan of water to a boil. Remove from heat and add the lemon slices. Stir until soft, about one minute. Drain and plunge them in the ice bath. Immediately drain. This step helps remove some of the bitterness of the lemon.

Bring the sugar and one cup of water to a boil in a medium sized skillet, stirring to dissolve the sugar. When the mixture is clear and bubbles, reduce heat to medium-low. Arrange the lemon slices in a single layer. Simmer until the rinds are translucent. Do not let boil.
Line a baking rack or tray with parchment paper. Transfer slices to parchment and let stand until ready to serve. You can keep the slices in an airtight container at room temperature for one day.



About the Author and the Giveaway

Shari Randall is the author of the Lobster Shack Mystery series. Nothing says summer in New England like a visit to a lobster shack. Set in the historic Connecticut village of Mystic, the books feature injured ballerina Allie Larkin, who works in her quirky Aunt Gully’s Lazy Mermaid Lobster Shack while her broken ankle heals. When her aunt falls under suspicion of murder, Allie starts investigating and discovers she has a talent for sleuthing. The first book in the series, CURSES, BOILED AGAIN, won an Agatha Award for Best First Novel. 

You can keep up with Shari on social media, where she shares ice cream recipes, her mermaid and Nancy Drew obsessions, and pics of all things New England.
Facebook Group: Cozy Mystery Crew 
Instagram @sharirandallauthor


Shari will give a copy (your choice of paperback or ebook) of any one of the Lobster Shack Mysteries to one lucky commenter. (US Only for paperback). What’s your favorite summertime treat? Comment below to be entered to win.

111 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. Hi Edith, wish you were here to try it. Definitely one for folks who like lemon :)

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    2. I wanna try this with both of you!!! Love lemon. Gonna try this this week.

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  2. Many in my family enjoy lemon deserts. I love peach or blackberry pie or cobbler. I just read the first in your series and really enjoyed it. suefoster109 at gmail dot com

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    1. I'm so glad you enjoyed CURSES! This time of year is so good for making pies and cobblers, isn't it?

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  3. Peaches, fresh or baked in cobbler or pie, are my favorite summer time treat. Thanks for the lemon cake recipe. I will give it a try. I also appreciate the instructions for candied lemon slices. I have other recipes that will be nicely dressed up with them. lroth@pcext.com

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  4. I have too many! I do love homemade lemonade!
    Wendy
    clarksrfun at gmail dot com

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  5. Clams on the grill and chilled gazpacho are our two current go to dishes. Casmith79 at aol dot com

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  6. I love homemade peach ice cream. Wonderfully cool on a hot summer day. This is Anita Allgood.

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    1. Hi Anita, I'm working on a peach ice cream recipe for a new book. It's so good! Good luck!

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  7. Watermelon! As a child, I have great memories of lying across the foot of my parents' bed because then I faced an open window with a breeze (no AC in the farmhouse). There I would read my Nancy Drew books and eat watermelon!! The beginnings of my love of mysteries and that refreshing treat. Thanks for the opportunity to win, and for the yummy-sounding recipe! Email via website.

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    1. What a beautiful memory - I can feel the breeze! Good luck from another Nancy Drew fan!

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  8. Corn on the cob from the Farmers Market.
    jtcgc at yahoo dot com

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  9. My favorite summer treat is any thing with Hatch Chile’s in it.
    Kitten143 (at) Verizon (dot) net

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  10. I had to look up Hatch chiles. The article says they have the perfect balance of hot and sweet. Sounds good to me! Off to get some :) Good luck!

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  11. Maya, thank you so much for inviting me to visit the Kitchen! This is one of my favorite blogs - I always come away with so many good recipes and book recommendations. And I loved that tea room! Let's go back!

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  12. Ice cream (chocolate,the better) and toasted marshmallows

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    1. my email is Ajf95@aol.com if I win...thanks!

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    2. I'm with you on the chocolate ice cream!

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  13. Welcome to the blog today!Your titles and covers are divine! Hmmm, I'd have to say anything that features the abundance of fresh produce that is around this time of year. Thanks for the chance to win and the recipe.
    abigailfbn (at) yahoo (dot) com

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    1. Thank you so much, Abby, I'll pass that on to the cover magicians at St.Martin's! Good luck!

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  14. Thank you for the recipe for Lemon Tea Cake. It sounds delicious! I love the flavor of lemon as it gives one the hint of sweet and tart all at once. Love the addition of the candied lemon slices. Will definitely be trying this version of lemon cake.

    Love your books and would love the opportunity to win and read another one. Shared and hoping to be the extremely fortunate one selected.

    Be safe, stay healthy and have a little adventure along the way - even if through the pages of a good book.
    2clowns at arkansas dot net

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    1. Got so excited about the giveaway, I forgot to answer the question. :) Love homemade sherbet for a summertime treat. Well love any form of homemade ice cream and fresh fruit added in the summer is an extra bonus. However, the sherbet I love reminds me of my growing up years making it extra special too. Plus it's super simple to make. You mix 2 quarts (now it's one liter) orange pop, a can of crushed pineapple juice and all and eagle brand milk then freeze in ice cream churn. It's yummy!
      2clowns at arkansas dot net

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    2. Hi Kay! Thank you for your kind words and for the sherbet recipe! I am all about the easy recipes and this sounds like a winner. Thanks for sharing it!

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  15. I love strawberry ice cream. I'm also a big fan of lemon pound cake and had some last night.

    Kit3247(at)aol(dot)com

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  17. Yummy looking, I love anything lemon. I love ice cream as a summer treat.

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  18. I love a dipped cone from Daily Queen every summer.

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  19. Fresh fruit, especially strawberries and watermelon. I won't turn down cake though.

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  20. Favorite summer time treat would be an ice cold watermelon. I enjoy the fresh vegetables and sweet corn! dbahn(at)iw(dot)net

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  21. Your cake looks yummy! I like lemon flavored sweet treats, and particularly like lemon poppyseed scones, heavier on the lemon than most recipes are. My favorite summer treat is probably strawberry shortcake with angel food cake as the base. Yummy!

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    1. Hi Renee, strawberry shortcake is my fave! When my girls were little we’d pick our own then have shortcake for dinner.

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  22. My favorite summertime treat is a rhubarb strawberry pie. Yum. Your lemon tea cake is delectable. Lemon is my favorite flavor and I will be making this treat. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

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  23. That looks amazing - and we even have all of the ingredients, so it will be happening this afternoon!

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  24. thanks for the chance to win, looks delicious!

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  25. I will definitely be making this wonderful creation for my family this summer. So light and anything lemony is utterly wonderful and enticing. I always have lemons since they are an important ingredient in my house. Thanks. My favorite
    summertime treat would be an ice cream sandwich. When I was young and during the long, hot summer this was a irresistible and yummy indulgence. elliotbencan(at)hotmail9dot)com

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  26. That looks sooooo good! I love a hot fudge sundae with French vanilla ice cream and every-so-often an ice cold lite beer.....

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  27. Lemon is so refreshing! I will have to bake this one!

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  28. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com. Correct e-mail address.

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  29. I like watermelon. That recipe sounds good. Thanks for the chance. It sounds like a fun book. jlb12563@sbcglobal.net

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  30. I enjoy corn on the cob and tomatoes from my son's garden.
    marypopmom (at) yahoo (dot) com
    Maryann

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  31. My favorites are watermelon, strawberry slush, and ice cream.
    kozo8989(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  32. I love anything lemon! Favorite summer treats? Crisp, sweet, juicy watermelon. Or fresh strawberry shortcake.
    patdupuy@yahoo.com

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  33. Lemon Pound Cake was the first dessert I made for my parents and in-laws as a young newlywed. I love all things lemony!(and limes,too) Summertime faves include fresh fruit, herbs and veggies. We grill meats,veggies & fruit when it's not too hot outside (heat index today is 104,ugh) I make a lot of salads, popsicles and various cold soups like gazpacho. A friend gave us a bagful of homegrown peaches so I'll be making cobbler in the next few days. Currently I'm also looking forward to finally getting more tequila for my first Watermelon Margarita of the summer, so refreshing. Your books sound great, Shari! lola777_22 at hotmail dot com

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    1. I hope that pound cake came out well - those newly wed years were the best, weren't they? But lots of cooking mishaps, for me, anyway!
      Watermelon Margarita sounds fab!!

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  34. Usually I celebrate summer with lobster stew and popovers at The Asticou Inn on Mt. Desrt Island in Maine.
    Sadly, that isn't happening this year :(
    libbydodd at comcast dot net

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    1. What a beautiful part of the country - I totally understand your disappointment! #can't wait for next year

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  35. Lemon cake has always been one of my favorites with just a dusting of powdered sugar and now I have a new recipe to try and a book possibly too.

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    1. It's also good with just that dusting of sugar. Good luck!

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  36. Not so sweet, but jalapeno peppers stuffed with a cheese chicken dip wrapped in bacon and baked or grilled. Summer harvest

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  37. Favorite summer time treat is Strawberry cheeses cakes Ice Cream.

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  38. I love frozen strawberry lemonade in the summer.
    turtle6422 at gmail dot com

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  39. This lemon cake looks & sounds divine.
    Lemon is so quenching. Husband is doing our shopping 🌹 and baking. We/he is your to make THIS.Yum :-) yum :-)

    Your book is set in a charming town.
    Last time We were in Mystic it had the fabulous pizza place,but also charming stores. I kept the cute bags from them In our photo book
    We lived in the East end of Long Island & ferried over to Conn & Rhode island.

    Your books are darling, great writing.dog


    Gkathgoldin at yahoo dot com

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    1. Your hubby's a keeper!
      I do love Mystic - it was so easy to set a series there - so much history, beauty, and fun (and great shopping, as you know).

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  40. I love lemon cake and this one looks delicious! Favorite summertime treat would have to be ice cream. mbradeen [at] yahoo [dot] com

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  41. Lemon is such a refreshing flavor. It is one of my favorites, but my favorite summer treat is watermelon. Having a slice of sweet melon on a hot day is a treat that is hard to beat. cindystamps(at)juno(dot)com.

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  42. Oh, I love a good lemon cake! Always a great accompaniment to a seafood dinner. :)
    sticklerba (at) gmail (dot) com

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  43. Watermelon and fresh berries
    bmedrano34@yahoo.com

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  44. I especially love ice cream in the summer. legallyblonde1961@yahoo.com

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    1. Hi Kara - yep, this is my ice cream time of year :)

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  45. I love anything with lemon 🍋! My favorite!

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  46. Blueberry cobbler! cwr@withdispatch.com

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  47. I love the wonderful fruits of summer. I would say my favorite summer fruit has to be fresh sweet cherries. Watermelon is a close second summer favorite.

    Nancy
    allibrary (at) aol (dot) com

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  48. Strawberry shortcake is one of my favorite summertime treats. Love lemon cake and this loos line an awesome recipe.
    diannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com

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  49. I enjoy eating good sugary cold watermelon in the summertime.

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  50. Lemon Meringue Pie, lemon cupcakes, lemon pound cake with sliced fresh peaches and cool whip. mountainsr4me@hotmail.com

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  51. I love home brewed mint iced tea! So refreshing!

    jstomalis1053 at comcast dot net

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  52. I can’t have many treats nowadays, but as a child I absolutely LOVED banana popsicles. Looking forward to picking up some of your books! Thanks for the opportunity to win one!

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  53. Iced coffee. My favorite is Butter Pecan! Nothing more relaxing than being outside on my front porch, iced coffee in hand, reading a cozy mystery :) ladyofshalott03(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  54. Ice cream or sherbet.
    Wskwared(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  55. Oh my what a yummy recipe. Thanks for sharing. My favorite summer time treats are: fresh berries, watermelon and homemeade ice cream
    quilting lady 2 at comcast dot net

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  56. In the summer I like cold watermelon! I also like lemon cake with lemon frosting! lindaherold999(at)gmail(dot)com

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  57. I used to make a pie with vanilla ice cream and frozen lemonade concentrate in a graham cracker crust, but ice cream is not good to my gut anymore. Maybe I'll try it with almond milk ice cream!

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  58. Love peaches especially peach iced tea and peach cobbler. Thanks for the chance.
    Jess
    maceoindo(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  59. Black raspberry soft serve ice cream in a waffle cone. im2early4u(at)gmail(dot)com

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  60. My favorite summertime treat is peach pie I love peaches and eat peaches every day for lunch and then at night I have a slice of peach pie of course with lots of whipped cream. Hubby and I also make a mean blueberry cheesecake hubby has taken over most of the cooking as I am battling a disease and that is why I would chose a paperback book to read and review as the disease has taken over my entire body. So doing things are much harder so glad that hubby loves to cook and can right now we are canning lots of diff types of tomatoes such as purple cheeroke and romas. Also the cherry tomatoes and we take the skin off as the skins are very thick for this variety that we grew from seeds!
    Stay safe and thank you for posting today. Peggy Clayton ptclayton2 at aol.com

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  61. My favorite Summer time treat is a Dairy Queen Cone. Thanks for this amazing giveaway. lindamay4852@yahoo.com

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  62. Salted caramel frappuccino
    lindalou64(@) live(dot)com

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  63. Actually right now its a chocolate frosty but I too love anything with lemons.
    Marilyn ewatvess@yahoo.com

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  64. My favorite summer treat -- and this says summer to me -- is room temperature, red, sliced farmer's market tomatoes slathered in (now vegan) mayo. :) Thanks for the recipe, I love lemon anything year-round. :)

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  65. Sweet watermelon is my favorite summer treat by far, next favorite is home grown tomatoes and cucumbers and figs.. Thanks for the recipe, my grandmother used to make the best lemon pound cake!I'd love a paperback book of Curses Boiled Again. nani_geplcs(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  66. I love watermelon and any other types of melon! tWarner419(at)aol(dot)com

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  67. My favorite summertime treat is any kind of fruit or berries!

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  68. Banana pudding! I used to make a lemon cake for my mom using frozen concentrate lemonade. Wish she was still here to bake for, a lot.
    browninggloria(at)hotmail(dot)com

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