Lemon Crunch Cake

If you have ever been to Honolulu, Hawaii and made friend with a local, you may have been so lucky to hear about a place with great food and dessert, at a bowling alley called Aiea Bowl.  One of the things that they are famous for is a dessert called Lemon Crunch Cake.  I had been waiting for the perfect time to make this cake, and last weekends Crab Boil seemed like the perfect opportunity.  

Lemon Crunch Cake
adapted from Star Bulletin

1 box yellow cake mix
3/4 cup water
1/2 cup oil
1 tsp. lemon extract
3 eggs, separated
1/4 tsp. cream of tartar

Whipped Cream Frosting

2 cups Heavy Whipping Cream, whipped
1/4 cup powdered sugar
1/2 tsp. lemon extract
1 package Heath bits

1 jar Lemon curd

1.  Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  Empty cake mix into a large bowl and mix in water, oil, egg yolks, and lemon extract.  Mix for 1 minute or until combined. 

2.  In a separate bowl combine egg whites and cream of tartar.  Beat until stiff peaks form. 

3. Gradually fold in egg whites into cake mix batter.  Fold until both are combined.  Pour mixture into two greased and floured 8 inch round pans.  Bake for 30-35 minutes, until done.        

4.  Remove cakes and let them cool on rack.

 

5.  For the frosting in a large bowl combine the whipped cream, powdered sugar and lemon extract. 

6.  Spread a layer of lemon curd on top of the first layer of cake, then layer the whipped cream frosting and Heath Bar bits.  Spread a layer of lemon curd on the second cake and flip so that it lies on top of the whipped cream frosting.

7.  Frost the rest of the cake with the whipped cream frosting.  Gently pat the Heath bits around the edge of the entire cake.  Let chill in the refrigerator for 3 hours. 

This cake is the BIZ.  No joke, one of the girls made this cake a week later cause she couldn’t stop thinking about it.  It’s one of those kinda things.  She added some lemon zest for garnish and into the cake batter too- which is great if you want a really lemony taste.