CANDIED LEMON CAKE RECIPES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter and flour two 8 1/2-by-4 1/2-inch (6-cup) loaf pans; set aside. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, salt, baking soda, and lemon zest; set aside.
• In a large bowl, using an electric mixer on high speed, beat butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition; mix in vanilla. With mixer on low, alternately add flour mixture in three parts, and sour cream in two, beginning and ending with flour mixture.
• Divide batter between prepared pans; smooth tops. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center of cakes comes out clean, 55 to 65 minutes (tent loosely with foil if browning too quickly). Meanwhile, make Candied Lemon Slices and Lemon Syrup.
• Remove cakes from oven; while they're still in pans, use a wooden skewer or toothpick to poke several holes in tops. Setting aside 1/4 cup Lemon Syrup, pour remainder over cakes. Let cakes cool completely in pans, about 2 hours. Remove from pans, and place, right side up, on a rack set over a rimmed baking sheet. Brush cakes all over with reserved syrup.
• In a small bowl, whisk confectioners' sugar with 2 tablespoons lemon juice; add up to 2 more tablespoons juice until pourable but thick.
• Pour lemon glaze over cakes (still on cooling rack), letting it drip down the sides. Let set, about 30 minutes. Garnish with Candied Lemon Slices.

Steps:

• Prepare an ice-water bath; set aside. Using a mandoline or sharp knife, cut lemon into 12 paper-thin slices; discard seeds and ends of rind.
• Bring a medium saucepan of water to a rolling boil. Remove from heat, and add lemon slices; stir until softened, about 1 minute. Drain, and immediately plunge slices into ice-water bath. Drain.
• Bring sugar and 1 cup water to a boil in a medium skillet, swirling to dissolve sugar. When liquid is clear and bubbling, reduce heat to medium-low. Add lemon slices, arranging them in one layer with tongs. Simmer (do not let boil) until rinds are translucent, about 1 hour.
• Transfer to a baking sheet lined with parchment. Let stand until ready to serve. Lemon slices can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature up to 1 day.