Spring baking: 1 secret for amazing fresh treats

I am finally ready to put away the heavy chocolate and the dense spices that kept me warm all winter. Do not get me wrong because I love a good winter treat but there is something about the first hint of sunshine that makes me crave citrus. I still remember the very first lemon cake I ever managed to get right. My kitchen was a complete disaster area and there was flour on my forehead but the smell of fresh lemon zest filling the house changed my life. Now that smell is exactly how I know spring has arrived and it makes me so happy every single time.

Why You Will Love This Spring Baking Project

You are going to absolutely love this because it is just so simple and bright. We are using seasonal fruit which makes everything taste a million times better than stuff from a box. The colors are so vibrant and it has this refreshing taste that is just perfect for those first outdoor gatherings or garden parties. It is the kind of bake that looks fancy but really just takes a little bit of love and some fresh ingredients.

Essential Ingredients for Your Spring Baking

I like to keep things fresh so we are using plenty of lemon to give this a real kick. I do not use vanilla extract because of the alcohol content so I always reach for fresh lemon juice or a thick seed based paste instead. It makes the flavor much more intense and keeps everything natural.

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter which should be nice and softened
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup Greek yogurt to keep things super moist
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon zest
• 2 cups fresh blueberries
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• A pinch of salt

Step-by-Step Guide to Successful Spring Baking

This whole process is pretty quick which is great when you want to get outside. You will need about 15 minutes to get everything prepped and then it spends 50 minutes in the oven. Total time is about an hour and five minutes until you have something delicious to show for your hard work.

Mixing the Perfect Batter

One thing I learned the hard way is that you cannot over mix your batter. If you get too aggressive with the stirring it gets tough and nobody wants that. Also you have to be so gentle when you add the blueberries. If you stir them in too fast they will burst and turn your whole cake purple. Just fold them in like you are tucking them into bed.

• Cream that butter and sugar together until the mixture looks light and fluffy.
• Add your eggs one at a time and make sure you beat them in well after each one.
• Whisk all your dry ingredients together in a separate bowl so there are no lumps.
• Alternate between adding the dry ingredients and the yogurt into your butter mixture.
• Gently fold in those fresh blueberries and that beautiful lemon zest at the very end.

Baking and Cooling Tips for Spring Baking

When the timer goes off I always use the toothpick test. Just stick a toothpick into the center and if it comes out clean you are good to go. It is really important to let the cake cool down completely on a wire rack. If you try to add a glaze or frosting while it is still warm it will just slide right off and make a mess.

Easy Substitutions for Healthy Spring Baking

I love playing around with recipes to make them a bit healthier. You can totally use honey instead of white sugar if you want a more natural sweetness. If you are out of butter then coconut oil works wonders too. If you ever want to try a savory version of a spring bake I suggest using beef fat or chicken fat instead of lard to keep it delicious and rich without using any restricted ingredients.

Common Questions About Spring Baking

• Can I use frozen berries? You definitely can but please do not thaw them first. If you thaw them they release way too much juice and make the batter soggy.
• How do I store this cake? Just keep it in an airtight container at room temperature. It stays fresh and tasty for up to three days.
• Can I make this dairy-only? Yes you can swap out the Greek yogurt for a soy or almond based alternative and it still turns out great.

Estimated Nutritional Facts

Here is what you can expect for one serving of this spring treat.

• Calories: 280 kcal
• Total Fat: 12g
• Saturated Fat: 7g
• Cholesterol: 55mg
• Sodium: 150mg
• Total Carbohydrates: 38g
• Dietary Fiber: 2g
• Sugars: 20g
• Protein: 5g

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