Sunshine Sheet Cake is a delightful dessert that brings the bright and refreshing flavors of citrus to your taste buds. This moist and zesty cake is like a burst of sunshine on your plate, making it perfect for gatherings, celebrations, or simply to brighten your day. Here’s how to make it.
Ingredients:
For the Cake:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup water
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Zest of 2 lemons
- Zest of 1 orange
For the Citrus Glaze:
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice
- Zest of 1 lemon (for garnish)
- Zest of 1 orange (for garnish)
Instructions:
1. Preheat and Prepare:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Grease and flour a 9×13-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients:
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking soda, and salt.
3. Combine Wet Ingredients:
- In a saucepan, melt the unsalted butter over medium-low heat.
- Stir in water and bring the mixture to a gentle boil. Remove it from the heat.
4. Add Eggs and Dairy:
- In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs, then gradually whisk in a small amount of the hot butter mixture. This tempers the eggs.
- Pour the egg mixture back into the remaining butter mixture and stir well.
- Add sour cream, vanilla extract, lemon zest, and orange zest. Mix until well combined.
5. Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures:
- Pour the wet mixture into the bowl with the dry ingredients.
- Stir until the batter is smooth and well incorporated.
6. Bake:
- Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
7. Make the Citrus Glaze:
- While the cake is baking, prepare the citrus glaze.
- In a bowl, combine the powdered sugar, fresh lemon juice, and fresh orange juice. Mix until you have a smooth, pourable glaze.
8. Glaze the Cake:
- As soon as the cake comes out of the oven, poke it all over with a fork or skewer.
- Pour the citrus glaze evenly over the warm cake.
9. Cool and Garnish:
- Allow the cake to cool completely in the pan.
- Once cooled, garnish with additional lemon zest and orange zest for a burst of citrus flavor.
10. Slice and Serve:
- Slice the Sunshine Sheet Cake into squares and serve.
Sunshine Sheet Cake captures the zesty and vibrant essence of citrus in a delightful dessert. The lemon and orange zest in the cake, combined with the sweet-tart glaze, creates a burst of flavor that’s ideal for brightening up any occasion. This cake brings a ray of sunshine to your taste buds, whether it’s for a special occasion or a simple treat.