Lemon basil cake: A fresh twist on a classic dessert

Lemon Yogurt Cake is an ideal recipe for an afternoon coffee. Its flavours are interesting on their own, but the addition of basil elevates it to a whole new level. It adds aroma, a green note, and a touch of subtle spiciness. No chef would be ashamed of balancing flavours like this.

While mint often finds its way into desserts, basil is mostly added to savoury dishes, especially those inspired by Italian cuisine. However, it holds so much potential that it's a shame to limit it to lunch. Combined with a moist yogurt cake and lemon zest, it creates a unique dessert.

Imagine a fluffy cake with an intense lemon aroma, complemented by the subtle sweet-spicy note of fresh basil. The acidity of the lemon is softened by the sweetness of the cake, and the basil brings an interesting herbal note to the composition. Here, all the ingredients play harmoniously. This cake is perfect for summer, and preparing it involves mixing the ingredients and pouring them into a baking pan. It doesn't get simpler or more delicious.

Ingredients:

• 1 and 3/4 cups all-purpose flour,
• 2.5 teaspoons baking powder,
• half a teaspoon salt,
• 1 cup sugar,
• 2 lemons,
• 2/3 cup plain yogurt,
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice,
• 1/2 cup olive oil or vegetable oil,
• 3 eggs,
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract,
• 1/3 cup fresh basil.

Glaze for decoration

• 1/2 cup powdered sugar,
• 2 teaspoons lemon juice,
• 1 teaspoon milk.

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt.
2. Scald the lemons with boiling water and zest them. Be careful not to zest the white membrane, as it’s bitter and may change the taste unpleasantly.
3. Add sugar to the lemon zest and mix until it has the consistency of wet sand.
4. Add yogurt and lemon juice to the lemon sugar and mix thoroughly.
5. Gradually pour in the oil, then add eggs, vanilla extract, and very finely chopped basil.
6. Carefully fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until just combined. Pour the batter into a prepared pan.
7. Grease an 8-inch diameter round cake pan or a loaf pan with butter and dust with flour, or use parchment paper instead.
8. Pour in the prepared batter and place it in an oven preheated to 180 degrees Celsius. Bake for about 40-50 minutes, until a skewer comes out clean.
9. Prepare the glaze by mixing powdered sugar, lemon juice, and milk. Once the cake has cooled, drizzle it with the glaze.

The lemon yogurt cake with basil is now ready. Let yourself be surprised by its taste, and you won’t regret your choice. Enjoy!