Lemon Elderflower Cake Prince Harry’s and Meghan Markle’s Wedding Cake
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Calling all royal wedding fans! This lemon elderflower cake for Prince Harry’s and Meghan Markle’s Wedding Cake is the hottest cake in town! It is light and airy, with English flair in a dense but gorgeous lemon cake with Elderflower buttercream frosting!
It’s been 7 years since the last royal wedding. It’s been 7 years of preparation for Prince Harry’s and Meghan Markle’s big day. Our day has come party people, this is what we have prepared for and let’s get ready to celebrate!
I’m a self proclaimed (American) Royalist. For the last royal wedding, back when I started this wee blog, I did a countdown for Will and Kate’s big day. Now, I can say I am equally ecstatic and thrilled to celebrate the upcoming nuptials of Prince Harry and Ms. Meghan Markle. As soon as the engagement was announced, I binged Suits. Ben and I were in London when the news broke that the two were dating. It was big oooo’s and ahhh’s from me. If I had a spirit animal city, it would be London.
Following all the blogs, Instagrams and clicking on any possible link to articles that even mention the wedding (you’re welcome ad companies!!), I am in it to win it and be a part of this day in some way. So when it was announced who would be making the cake and what the couple’s cake selection would be, I had to make it for myself – AND YOU!
I can tell you that every bite will be heavenly! Never having had St. Germain before, it is the perfect light and floral flavor that compliments the lemon cake superbly. It’s not overpowering, just kissing you. Like Harry will kiss his bride… awwww, eyeroll. But Awwww! The elderflower frosting is light and airy, and the elderflower is a lovely pairing.
Okay. I’m done with the schmoopy comparisons. But you can BET I am staying awake all night like I did with Will and Kate’s. I’m making this cake. I’m drinking my tea, and I am going to be cheering them on. When Ben and I went to London we went to Windsor Castle on a day trip and it was the highlight of our London adventure.
I can’t wait to celebrate the day and reminisce about the memories I have with my own husband on the grounds of Windsor and wish that the day is perfect for the new couple. So be sure to make your own memories and be part of the Royal Wedding, with this Lemon Elderflower Cake just like Prince Harry and Meghan Markle!!
Pinkies up, party people We are ready for this day!
Ingredients for Lemon Elderflower Cake Prince Harry’s and Meghan Markle’s Wedding Cake
- All Purpose Flour
- Cake Flour
- Baking Powder
- Salt
- Milk
- Half and Half
- Lemon Zest
- Lemon Juice
- Sour Cream
- Vanilla Bean Paste
- Unsalted Butter
- Sugar
- Eggs
- Powdered Sugar
- St. Germain Liquor
- Fresh Flowers
- Dusty Pink Food Coloring
- Dusty Green Food Coloring
- Piping Bag with #3 Round Tip
- Angled Spatula
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Lemon Elderflower Cake Prince Harry’s and Meghan Markle’s Wedding Cake
- Prep Time: 30 Minutes
- Cook Time: 1 Hour 45 Minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 1 2-Layer Cake 1x
- Category: Cake
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: British
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Get the light and springy floral flavored cake that will grace Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Wedding!!
Ingredients
Lemon Cake
- 2 1/2 cups All Purpose Flour
- 1 cup Cake Flour
- 2 tsp Baking Powder
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1 cup Milk
- 1/2 cup Half and Half
- 1 Tbsp Lemon Zest
- 1/4 cup Lemon Juice
- 1/2 cup Sour Cream
- 1 tsp Vanilla Bean Paste
- 1 cup Unsalted Butter, room temperature
- 2 cups Sugar
- 3 Eggs
Elderflower St. Germain Buttercream
- 1 1/2 cups Unsalted Butter, room temperature
- 3 cups Powdered Sugar, sifted
- 1/4 cup St. Germain Liquor
- 1/2 tsp Vanilla Bean Paste or Extract
- 1/4 tsp Salt
Decorations –
- Fresh Flowers (I used Dogwood flowers and Heather)
- Dusty Pink Food Coloring
- Dusty Green Food Coloring
- Piping Bag with #3 Round Tip
- Angled Spatula
Instructions
FOR CAKE –
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and line a 6″ cake pan with parchment paper on the bottom. In a large bowl, sift together the flour, cake flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
In a 2 cup measuring cup, stir together the milk, half and half, lemon juice, lemon zest, sour cream, and vanilla bean paste (or extract). Set aside.
In a stand mixer, with a paddle attachment, beat together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy – about three minutes. Scrap the sides if needed. Add in eggs, one at a time, being sure to mix in completely before adding in another. At least 30 seconds should be good between eggs.
Add in the dry ingredients in three parts, adding in some of the milk mixture in between additions of flour. Scrape the bowl to ensure everything is mixed together and the batter is smooth. Let the batter rest for 15 minutes.
Fill the cake pan 1/2 to 2/3 full. Bake on the center rack, starting for 30 minutes. Check with a toothpick to test doneness. If it requires additional time, bake in 5 minute intervals until a toothpick comes out clean. For my 6-inch cake pans, it can take up around 40 minutes.
Let the cake rest on a wire rack in the pan for 5-10 minutes, before removing from the pan. Run a knife along the edges to ensure that it hasn’t stuck, and turn out onto wire rack to cool completely.
*If you are using a 9″ cake pan – bake for 30-35 minutes. For cupcakes – bake for 20 minutes.
For Elderflower Buttercream –
In a clean stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream the butter until smooth. Scrape down sides of bowl to ensure all the butter is creamed and smooth. With the mixer on low, add in the sifted powdered sugar one cup at a time until it is fully incorporated. When all the sugar has been added, scrape the sides of the bowl, to ensure it is all mixed in correctly.
Add in the St. Germain, and vanilla and salt. Turn the mixer on, working your way up to medium and allow the frosting to whip for about five minutes. Scrape the bowl every couple of minutes to make sure there is no dry frosting on the bottom. The buttercream will look soft, and then will continue to stiffen as it is beaten and increase in volume. Use right away or store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to one week.
To Assemble –
In two or three small bowls, add in 1/2 cup of frosting, and dye to the desired colors. Frosting darkens over time, so be sure to tone your frosting slightly LIGHTER than you want the final color to be. Set aside, or into piping bags.
Level the cakes, and placing the cut side down on a cake serving dish, Spread an even layer of frosting on top of the cake. Place the second layer on top of the cake. Repeat frosting the cake, all around, and smoothing out. This doesn’t need to be perfect, but evening out the frosting here is best to ensure it’s distributed evenly.
With the colored frosting, make dime sized dots of colored frosting sporadically around the cake. Spread the dots out about 3 inches apart, but if they aren’t perfect, it will create a blended effect which is FUN! Using the spatula, spread the dots out to doing a final smoothing on the cake, which will naturally blend the colors dots into the white frosting. Don’t over smooth – this cake is meant to look rustic!
Decorate additionally with a spray of fresh flowers that match your frosting colors! Serve immediately or chill.
Keywords: Cake, Cake Decorating, Baking, Lemon, Elderflower, Frosting, Easter, Recipe, British, Royals, Wedding
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HOLY this cake is gorgeous! I haven’t tried anything elderflower, but now I NEED TO.
I love lemon cake. If you serve lemon cake for wedding, you will have tasty married life.
That’s so good to know! My hubby and I had lemon cupcakes at our wedding!
Should that read “grease and line two (2) 6” cake pans”?
Yes, need to know know ASAP!!
Yes, I did use 6″ cake pans for this – and there is enough batter left over for 6-8 cupcakes. But you can use 8 or 9″ cake pans as well and just adjust the baking time. It will take less time with larger pans.
YES! I need to know the answer to this too!
Time is running out!
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Is 6” correct? The picture does not look like a 6” cake pan was used…need answer ASAP!
Yes, I did use 6″ pans for this recipe. But you can use 8 or 9″ cake pans if that suits you better! Adjust the times accordingly.
This is so gorgeous! I sent it to one of my mama friends and she said she’d make the cake if I make the frosting. haha. I so want to try this.
I absolutely adore St. Germain elderflower liqueur. I’m even more excited about this wedding knowing elderflower is in their cake and I love the cake you’ve done!
I don’t see where you’re supposed to add the sour cream?
SO Sorry!!! Add it in with the milk and egg! I’ll amend the recipe now!!
Made the cake last night and cooled the layers overnight. I reviewed the recipe in the morning to sadly discover it didn’t give direction to add the sour cream, so I didn’t add it. I am anticipating the cake to be dry now. 😑
Kimberly I’m so sorry! It shouldn’t be too dry. I’ll amend the recipe, as I must have been typing too fast!!
It was meant to be mixed in with the milk and egg. Please do let me know how it turns out regardless!
Thanks Megan! I added in last minute as I was hesitant not to add it at all. The cake turned out good , but has more of a cheesecake taste to it (not a bad thing). I’ll add the SC with the milk next time!
Where does the sour cream go?
I made this cake today in anticipation of the Royal Wedding tomorrow! I added the sour cream with the milk and egg. The texture of this cake is great – dense and flavorful but stayed moist! The amount of batter made three 6″ cake pans for me. I baked all three so I would have a back up layer if one didn’t turn out perfect! The little tasted I have had so far are great and I can’t wait to eat it tomorrow during the Royal Wedding!
Kathleen! I am so pleased that the cake was part of your royal wedding celebrations!!! Be sure to tag me on any social media posts so I can see it!!
is there something else you could replace the liquor with as I do not use liquor but want to make the cake. Please send reply to my email.
I’m not quite sure what might have the elderflower flavor, but if you can find a rose water that would also have a delightful flavor instead of the booze. Different, but floral!
Thank you for this wonderful recipe!! I made cupcakes for my royal wedding party and there isn’t a single one left 🙂 they were delicious!
WOO HOO!!! I’m so happy that these were a part of your Royal Wedding celebration!!
Just made this cake for the first time, it is absolutely incredible! Perfect flavor, moist but not too dense or heavy. Just perfect!!!
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I just found this site a week ago and decided to make the lemon cake. THANK YOU SO MUCH! This was the best lemon cake I have ever tasted. I made it for my nieces high school graduation and everyone who tried it personally told me how wonderful it was. Full disclosure: I folded blueberries into the batter and I could not find the elderflower for the butter cream so I used what I had on hand, Italian gold mixer. I also made a lemon curd to put between the layers. I had enough cake batter to make three nine inch pans. I decorated it with candied lemon zest and blueberries. But the star was the cake itself. Again thank you!
Lori!! That all sounds utterly DIVINE!! Thank you so much for sharing this, I am so so pleased that you loved it!!
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