Lemonade Cake

Ingredients

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  1/3 cup butter, melted
  
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  3/4 cups sugar, divided
  
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  3 medium to large Meyer lemons
  
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  1/3 cup fresh corn kernels or unsweetened shredded coconut (both optional)
  
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  3 eggs
  
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  1/2 cup vegetable oil
  
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  1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
  
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  2 ¼ cups all purpose flour
  
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  1/3 cup almond meal
  
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  2 tablespoons yellow corn meal
  
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  1 teaspoon salt
  
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  2 teaspoons baking soda
  
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  2 teaspoons baking powder
  
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  2 cups lemonade
  

Directions

1. Line the bottom of a 9 x 13″ pan with parchment. Whisk together melted butter and 1/4 cup of the sugar until just pasty and even. Spread evenly onto the parchment. Finely zest the rinds of the lemons; set zest aside. Cut off ends of lemons; discard.
2. Slice lemons into rings 1/3 to 1/2 inch wide. Carefully pick out any seeds and discard them. Arrange lemon slices on the buttery, sugary bottom of pan, touching each other and edges of pan. (Feel free to trim them if they don’t quite fit; you may or may not use all the slices, depending on the size of your lemons.) If using, sprinkle the corn or coconut in the open spaces between the lemon slices. Preheat oven to 350 F.
3. In a large bowl, beat the eggs, remaining ½ cup sugar, oil, and vanilla until smooth and even. Sift over the egg mixture: flour, almond meal, corn meal, salt, baking soda and powder. As you begin stirring, gradually add the lemonade. Mix well, until smooth and even, folding in the reserved lemon zest at the last minute. Pour batter over the lemon slices and bake for 30-35 minutes, rotating pan halfway through baking time. When ready, the cake will be golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center will come out batter-free.
4. Let cake cool completely in pan, then cover pan with foil for easy transport to your picnic (up to 12 hours away). When ready to serve, remove foil, loosen sides of cake with a knife, then invert cake onto a large cutting board, platter, or lined cookie sheet. Remove parchment. Cut into squares with a sharp knife (slicing straight through the lemons is fine), and serve on napkins, plates, or bare hands.