A Homemade Life: French Style Yogurt Cake with Lemon

So I shared with you a disaster of a playdate, let me share what happens when things go right.

There's an indoor playspace near L&O's house.  When we realized we'd be out on maternity leave during the same time, we talked about getting the boys together here.  It ended up being a genius idea.

The boys were delightful in the drive down, until Thatbaby woke up at the gas station, but we were only a few blocks from our destination. 

We managed to arrive at the same time, just before the doors opened.  We herded the boys inside and let them loose.  It was fantastic to supervise them from afar without having to hoover over them, or have them insist we play with them.  It gave L&O a chance to sit and relax, as our newest babies slept at our breast.

The boys started on a floor-to-ceiling climbing structure, complete with a slide from top to bottom. 

We were both a little impressed as our intrepid monkeys scrambled up, higher and higher and went down the towering slide.  But they loved every minute.

They were a little intimidated by the trampoline area since some bigger kids went in right as they were about to, so instead they turned to the giant wavy slides.  I showed Thatkid how to use the towels to go down faster, and he in turn, showed Little LO.  They ran up and slide down, over and over again.

 

 Directly beside the slides was the inflatable obstacle course, complete with a rope wall they had to climb over.  Which they did.  It was a little nervewracking for we moms down below who couldn't see above that black wall, but seeing those little blonde heads pop up over the wall gave us some relief.

The boys went nonstop the entire time we were there.  I don't know when Thatkid has burned off so much energy (not that it led to a longer nap or earlier bedtime or anything).  Afterwards we grabbed lunch with our buddies before splitting up and heading home.  No crazy bathroom trips, no crying, no misbehaving.   This calls for a celebration!  Cake time for everyone!


This is the perfect "no occasion" cake.  It's not overly fussy.  No layers.  No time consuming frosting, just a nice, simple glaze. And the flavors couldn't be simpler.  A vanilla cake, soaked in lemon.    Between the yogurt and syrup, it's impossible for this cake to be dry.  Works well for breakfast, snack, or dessert.  It complements coffee, tea, or champagne.  Because after all, we are celebrating.

French Style Yogurt Cake with Lemon (From A Homemade Life)

1 1/2 cups flour

2 tsp baking powder

pinch of salt

2 tsp grated lemon zest

1/2 cup plain whole-milk yogurt

1 cup sugar

3 eggs

1/2 cup canola oil

1 and 1/4 cup powdered sugar, divided

1/2 cup lemon juice, divided

1. Preheat oven to 350.  Grease a 9-inch round cake pan with butter or cooking spray. Line the bottom of the pan with a round of parchment paper and grease it too.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
3. Add the lemon zest and whisk to mix thoroughly.
4. In a large bowl, combine the yogurt, sugar, and eggs, stirring to mix well.
5. Add the flour mixture and stir to just combine.
6. Add the oil and stir well.  Pour into the prepared pan.  Bake for 25 to 35 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean.  
7. Cool the cake on a wire rack for 15 minutes.  Run a thin knife around the edge of the pan, and invert the cake onto a wide, flat plate or pan.  Remove or discard the parchment paper.  Invert the cake back onto the rack so that it sits upright, with the shinier, slightly domed side facing up.  Set the rack over a rimmed baking sheet.
8. In a small bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup powdered sugar and 1/4 cup lemon juice.  
9. Spoon over the warm cake.  Cool completely.
10. In a small bowl combine the remaining powdered sugar and lemon juice.  Whisk well to dissolve the sugar completely.  Spoon over the cooled cake.