SWEET TEA AND LEMONADE CAKE RECIPES

Steps:

• In a heatproof glass bowl, pour boiling water over tea bags; cover with plastic wrap and steep 10 minutes. Lift tea bags from liquid, and press against side of bowl, using back of a spoon; discard tea bags. Cool tea 20 minutes.
• Beat butter in a large bowl at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy. Gradually add sugars, beating until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating just until blended after each addition.
• Whisk together cake flour and next three ingredients; add to butter mixture alternately with 1 cup of tea, beginning and ending with flour mixture. (Discard remaining tea.) Beat at low speed just until blended after each addition.
• Pour batter into a greased and floured 13x9-inch baking pan. Bake in a preheated 350º oven for 35 to 40 minutes or until a wooden toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
• Cool completely on a wire rack, about 20 minutes. Spread lemonade frosting on cake.
• LEMONADE FROSTING: Beat the cream cheese and butter at medium speed until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, one cup at a time, beating at low speed until blended after each addition. Beat in lemon zest and lemon juice just until blended. Increase speed to high, and beat until light and fluffy.
• NOTE: If you prefer a slightly tipsy cake, add 2 Tbsp. vodka or bourbon to the frosting INSTEAD of lemon juice.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. Grease and flour a 10-in. fluted tube pan. In a large bowl, combine cake mix, pudding mix, 3/4 cup tea, eggs, oil, vanilla and lemon extract; beat on low speed 30 seconds. Beat on medium 2 minutes. Stir in pecans. Transfer to prepared pan. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, 45-50 minutes., Cool in pan 10 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely. In a small bowl, mix confectioners’ sugar, butter and enough remaining tea to reach desired consistency. Pour glaze over top of cake, allowing some to flow over sides.