Streamliner Cake



The Cake Slice Bakers' cake for this month is a wonderful little lemon and almond cake that our cookbook author calls "Streamliner Cake." She notes that while it's not exactly clear where the name Streamliner came from, it might have been named for the streamlined, art deco-design trains and cars of the 1930s.

Whatever the origin of its name, this luscious buttermilk cake is especially moist, light, and topped with a sunny lemon custard. The cake is delicious, but it's the thick, rich, sweet and tangy lemon custard that elevates this dessert to the next level. I loved the custard so much that I doubled the amount called for, then sliced the cake horizontally to make a layer cake: twice the custard in every bite.


Lemon and Almond Streamliner Cake


Custard
Zest of 2 lemons
3/4 cup whole milk
1/2 cup sugar
4 egg yolks
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1/2 cup lemon juice (about 3 lemons)
1/2 cup unsalted butter, cut into small cubes

Cake

1 and 1/4 cups sifted cake flour
1 and 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup (6 oz.) almond paste, at room temperature
10 tablespoons (5 oz.) unsalted butter, at room temperature
2/3 cup sugar
3 tablespoons canola oil
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 eggs, at room temperature
2/3 cup buttermilk, at room temperature

For the custard:

Combine the zest, milk, and 1/4 cup sugar in a medium saucepan and heat over medium-low heat until just hot. Meanwhile, in a medium sized bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, the remaining 1/4 cup sugar, and the salt until well-combined, then whisk in the cornstarch and lemon juice. Slowly whisk about 1/3 of the hot mixture into the yolk mixture. Pour the yolk mixture back into the saucepan of hot milk, whisking steadily, until the custard begins to thicken and bubble for one minute.

Strain the custard through a fine mesh into a clean bowl, and whisk in the butter until melted. Place a piece of plastic wrap directly on the surface of the custard and refrigerate for two hours.



Luscious lemon custard

For the cake:

Center an oven rack, and preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9 inch round cake pan and line the bottom of the pan with parchment paper.

Sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl, then whisk to combine well.


Using a stand mixer with a paddle attachment, combine the almond paste, butter, sugar, canola oil, and vanilla on low speed until blended. Increase the speed to high, and cream until very light and fluffy, about 5 to 7 minutes. Stop the mixer frequently to scrape the paddle and sides of the bowl.


Blend in the eggs one at a time, adding the next one as soon as the previous one has disappeared into the batter. With the mixer on low speed, add the flour in three parts, alternating with the buttermilk in two parts, beginning and ending with flour. After each addition, mix until just barely blended, and scrape the sides of the bowl.


Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread it evenly. Rap the pan firmly on the counter to release any air bubbles. Place the pan in the center of the oven and bake until the cake is a deep golden color and a wooden pick comes out barely clean, about 42 to 45 minutes.


Cool the cake in pan on a wire rack for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, flip the cake out onto the wire rack, remove the parchment paper, and flip the cake back to right side up. Cool to room temperature.


Place cake on a serving plate and frost the sides of the cake lightly with the lemon custard. Frost the top of the cake with remaining custard, then let the cake set in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes. Any leftover cake keeps in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days.









This recipe is from Vintage Cakes by Julie Richardson.



Streamliner Cake may have been taken to some of these great parties!




88 comments:

  1. Joy, This looks delicious...It would go wonderfully with my tea right now.

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    1. Marlys, thank you so much! I wish we were sitting together having tea right now, and having some of this cake! :)

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  2. Your photos are pretty and I like the idea of putting the custard in the middle too! It's a good use of the lemon curd since I made half the recipe and it was just enough for 9 squares.

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    1. Becca, thank you! I *should* have halved it like you did!! ;)

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  3. What a delicious looking cake! The custard is looking super tasty!

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    1. Thank you, Cathleen! It is pretty dangerous! ;)

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  4. You did an amazing job, like you always do! What a neat idea to double the custard! I loved it so much too! Hubby is not a big fan of lemon stuff (WHAT!!!??? I KNOW!!!) so I am not sure he'll enjoy it even with a single layer ... but... I could it it by the spoonfuls! (and I did!) Beautiful job! ALWAYS!

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  5. That looks like a great spring/summer dessert!
    Following you from Happy Friday
    http://mydevotionalthoughts.com

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    1. Ruth, it is so nice meeting you! I am following you back on Bloglovin!

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  6. Joy, whilst looking at your pictures, I'm already dreaming of my next holiday ;)
    Your cake looks awesomely delicious and even the lemon custard is a tease. Looks like we all enjoyed this cake too which is good news!!

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  7. You made yours a layer cake just to enjoy more of that custard!! Clever gurl! This cake is just awesome!

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  8. Yum! This looks delish! Love your recipes! I'm a new follower on blog lovin from Social Sundays!

    Ashley @ casa-de-castel.blogspot.com

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    1. Ashley, thank you so much for joining us for Let's get Social Sunday, and for browsing my recipes, too! :) I am happy to be following you back on Bloglovin!

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  9. Your cake looks stunning, a lovely write up :-) x

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    1. Thank you, Charlene! I enjoyed your pretty cake with the sprinkles! :)

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  10. I think this sounds good, and that custard had me nodding my head yes before I even got to the rest of the instructions for the cake. :)

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    1. Oh, you are so right- the custard makes it! Thank you for stopping by! :)

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  11. This cake looks so delicious Joy! Thanks for sharing on Creative Monday and have a wonderful week.

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    1. Thanks so much, Judy! Thanks for hosting! :)

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  12. I like the way you think, Joy! Twice the custard in every bite. This cake is interesting--the name and its possible origin and the sunny, happy looking yellow topping (and filling). Thank you for linking w/ See Ya in the Gumbo this week!

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  13. I am so glad to see the bowl of custard at the end of the post - I think that is how I would eat this! What a wonderful looking cake and I bet it is rich and great tasting.

    Cynthia at http://FeedingBig.com

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  14. Oh my goodness your Streamliner Cake looks amazing! I love the name, it's so charmingly retro :) And what a delicious recipe. The buttermilk cake looks so moist and the custard is so lovely and lemony! I'll be pinning and sharing this one for sure :)

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  15. Thank you so much, April! It really was delicious! Thanks for pinning! :)

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  16. Love the idea of making it a layer cake!
    And your pics are stunning as usual. Fabulous on the maps background.

    :)
    Holly

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  17. I let the almond paste scare me away from this one, but yours looks amazing! Love the travel themed pics, you always have such great photos.

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  18. Linked up and now following via G+ and Twitter.

    Take care,
    Meg
    Happy Kids, Inc

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  19. Meg, thank you so much- it’s great to meet you! Thanks for linking up, and I have returned the follows! :)

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  20. Hi Found you on the Bloggy Friends party. I love lemon and this looks so good. New follower on Bloglovin' - I love recipes from the days gone by!

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    1. Wonderful- thank you! I will return the visit! :)

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  21. I agree that the lemon custard was the best thing, and I love that you filled the cake with it too - the more the merrier.

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  22. I love the concept of this blog and this cake looks scrumptious!

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  23. I *love* the concept of your blog! :) Such a clever idea & that cake? Omg, girl. Mmmmmmm!

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    1. Thank you, Anyonita, you are a sweetheart! Thank you for coming by! :)

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  24. I'm so glad to "meet" you! I love food, cooking, baking and history so this is wonderful! I am looking froward to looking around your blog! so interesting!

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    1. Bobbie- thank you so much for stopping by! I am happy to meet you, too! I am now following you on Bloglovin! Looking forward to visiting your blog again soon! :)

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  25. I love lemon & almond this looks amazing! Come link up or just visit sometime I am @ DearCreatives.com I will definitely have to try this recipe.

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    1. Thank you, Theresa! I enjoyed my visit to your blog (PUPPY!) and am happy to be following you! :)

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  26. Wow, sounds perfect for when we have people over. Saving this one!!

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    1. Jamie, thank you, and thanks for coming by! I am happy to be following you on Google+!

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  27. This is what I'm talking about! Custard coated cake looks delish. Thank you for sharing.
    Consider yourself hugged,
    http://simpleesue.com/try-one-new-recipe-a-week-butterscotch-apple-fluff/

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    1. Sue, thank you so much! I enjoyed my visit to your blog....that Butterscotch Apple Fluff looks delicious! :) Thank you for coming by!

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  28. Gorgeous pictures! Your cake turned out lovely :)

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  29. Joy,
    I am featuring you in today's post. Thank you for sharing at Tuesday Trivia. I absolutely LOVE the photos. But the cake looks good too!
    xoxo
    Wanda Ann @ Memories by the Mile

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    1. Oh, Wanda Ann, I am so excited- thank you very much! What a great start to my day! :)

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  30. Just stopping by to say that your streamliner cake looks amazing! We would love to have you stop by our new sister site - MyRecipeMagic.com and enter some recipes. It has so many features...one is another way to drive traffic back to your blog. Hope to see you! Have a great week. -The Six Sisters

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    1. Thank you! I will check it out, and thanks so much for the visit! :)

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  31. Lovely cake! Custard sounds especially good!

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    1. Medeja, thank you- the custard was my favorite part! ;) Thanks for coming by! :)

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  32. Hi Joy
    Thanks for adding your awesome cake to my recipe swap hop. I'm a Bloglovin follower. Congrats on your new spot with Let's Get Social.
    Angel@ sewcraftyangel.blogspot.com

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    1. Angel, thank you so much, and thanks for hosting Recipe Swap Hop! I am happy to be following you on Twitter, Bloglovin, and Google+! :)

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  33. What a neat cake! It looks very ooey, gooey and yummy!
    Thanks so much for linking up at the Real Family Fun link party! Hope to see you next week.
    KC

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    1. Thank you, KC, and thanks for hosting the Real Family Fun link party! :)

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  34. Wow Joy! This looks fantastic. I LOVE lemon! I have some lemon curd in the freezer - might have to make this recipe! Thanks for linking up on Tried and True recipes: http://rediscovermom.blogspot.com/2013/04/tried-and-true-recipes-8.html

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    1. Thank you, Jackie! I never thought to freeze lemon curd- genius! Thanks for hosting Tried and True! :)

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  35. Oh wow Joy, this looks fabulous. I have two favorite things chocolate and lemon. I am sure this is great.
    Thanks for linking up at Swap N Share Sunday
    Dawn

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    1. Thank you, Dawn, and thank for hosting Swap N Share Sunday! :)

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  36. I love this cake and all your photo's are adorable! Thank you for sharing at Super Saturday Show & Tell! I love to see everyones creative recipes and projects! Come back again next week to party again http://www.whatscookingwithruthie.com Have a fabulous week :) xoxo~ Ruthie

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    1. Thank you so much, Ruthie! I always love your parties! :)

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  37. That looks yummy!! The custard seems easy. I will be making this cake-as I love anything lemon and tangy!! Would go great with some tea :)

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    1. Porsche, it is easy, and I hope you love it! :) Thank you so much for coming by!

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  38. Hi Joy,
    We are going to just love your cake, it looks delicious! Your recipe is fabulous and thank you so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday. Have a great weekend and come back soon!
    Miz Helen

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    1. Thank you so much, Miz Helen, and thank you for hosting Full Plate Thursday! :)

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  39. Thanks so much for sharing this delicious looking cake with "Try a New Recipe Tuesday!" I am going to be featuring this recipe this week! Congratulations! :-) Be sure to stop by and grab an "I've been Featured" button from my sidebar for your blog. :-) The post will go live tonight (Monday) around 11pm Eastern. I hope you will be able to share with us again this week. :-)

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    1. Lisa, I appreciate the feature SO much! Thank you! :)

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  40. Ali, Thank you SO much! I'm so excited! :)

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  41. I have seen this cake all over the internet this week, Joy! It's on my list of things to make! :) Thanks so much for joining us at last week's All my Bloggy Friends .... We look forward to seeing what you share this week!

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    1. Thanks, Jamie, and thanks for hosting All My Bloggy Friends! :)

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  42. My darlin'! This cake looks absolutely amazing. The homemade custard is calling my name. You could almost forget the cake and eat just that, but no it makes it out of this world combined with the cake. Thank you so much for coming to link up with me @ Great Idea Thursday's! Krista @ http://ahandfulofeverything.blogspot.com :)

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  43. Krista, you are so much fun! Don't tell anyone, but I did, in fact, have plenty of that custard...with and without the cake! ;) Thanks for hosting a great party! :)

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  44. How cool! I always love history and to connect it with food, even better! Thank you for sharing this @ The Show Off Blog Party!

    Jessica
    The Wondering Brain

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    1. Thank you, and thanks for a great party! :)

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  45. Oh your cake turned out beautifully, Joy...and I love your photos....they really take me back in time. So lovely. And what a fabulous cake this was!

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    1. Thank you, Anne! It was a great cake this time, wasn't it? :)

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  46. Looks beautiful and delicious! I love the creativity in your photos too! Thank You so much for sharing at A Bouquet of Talent this week! Happy Friday!
    Hugs,
    Kathy

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    1. Thank you, Kathy! I did have a lot of fun with this one! :) Thanks for A Bouquet of Talent!

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  47. I would double the custard too. Love custard. You take such great photos. Beautifully styled.

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    1. Yes! I knew we were kindred custard spirits!! :) Thank you so much, Connie!

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  48. Joy,

    This looks amazing! New follower through Bloglovin.

    I would love for you to link up to my TGIF Link Party! Who knows, you just might be featured next week!

    http://apeekintomyparadise.blogspot.com/2013/05/a-peek-into-my-paradise-tgif-link-party.html

    Cathy

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    1. Cathy, I am happy to be following you back! All linked up to your party- thanks! :)

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  49. I am soooooooo going to try this. Thanks you for sharing this at the top blogger showcase for April 2013. Pinning this.
    Please send me a 125 by 125 button as you have won free advertising.

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    1. Bintu, I am so happy- thank you so much! :)

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  50. I am so intrigued by this! I will definitely be trying it, the lemon and almond combination sounds amazing! Thanks for sharing, pinning now :-)

    Hannah ♫
    Sew Lah Tea Dough

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    1. Hannah, thanks so much, and thank you for pinning! :)

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  51. Oh my heavens... custard, AND lemon, AND almond?! I must make this!!!!! It looks absolutely amazing!! Three of my favorite things in one cake!!
    ~April

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    1. If you make it, please invite me over- I would love to have another slice! ;) Thank you so much for stopping by!

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  52. Looks gooey and delish! Thanks so much for sharing on #cakefriday! :)

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    1. Thanks, Becky, and thank you for hosting! :)

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