For the vast interest I have in food and spending time in the kitchen, I don’t consider myself a suzie-homemaker type. I’m pretty messy and most things I bake for my own enjoyment. I actually think I like baking mostly for how messy it is, and I don’t really have many people to feed (besides my parents, of course). I realize that this won’t last forever, and for that I have this recipe. Friends pop by for an unexpected visit? Someone invites you to a BBQ and you need provisions last minute? The boy of your dreams comes over unexpectedly and you need to impress him by quickly whipping up a fantastic dessert? This cake is made for that.

2 c. all-purpose flour
1 1/2 c. sugar
1/2 c. shortening
3 eggs
3/4 c. milk
3 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
Zest from 1 lemon
Juice from 1 lemon

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix together sugar, shortening, milk and eggs with a hand mixer until well combined. In a separate bowl, stir together flour, baking powder and salt, then add in batches to wet mixture until well combined. Lastly, add juice and zest from lemon and stir. Place in lined bread pan and bake for 50-55 minutes.

Note for making delicious lemon cake: YUUUMMMMM. This is perfect with some fresh berries on it with homemade whipped cream (it is summer, you guys). You could honestly put ANYTHING on it and it would be delicious. It’s always nice to have a trusty cake recipe… and for me this is totally it. Skip the lemon and put whatever flavoring you have in it! It’s almost blueberry season and this would be FAAANTASTIC for them…