This is a really moist and flavored vanilla cake filled and frosted with a delicious cream cheese frosting. Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit then you will need a two 9 inch pans butter and lined with parchment paper. You can use an electric mixer with the paddle attachment or you could use a hand mixer for this, this is a simple cake, and its only a butter cake but a cake that uses oil. In a stand mixer bowl, add four large eggs then add granulated white sugar along with vanilla extract then beat on medium-high speed for about a minute just until its a little thick.

Ingredients;

• 3 cups (390 grams) all-purpose flour
• 2 1/2 teaspoons (10 grams) baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon (2 grams) salt
• 2 cups (400 grams) granulated white sugar
• Zest of one lemon, finely grated
• 4 large eggs, at room temperature
• 1 1/2 teaspoons (6 grams) pure vanilla extract
• 2/3 cup (160 ml) full fat (whole) milk, at room temperature
• 2/3 cup (160 ml) light extra virgin olive oil (can also use vegetable, corn, canola, or safflower oil)

Soaking Syrup:

• 1/2 cup (120 ml) water
• 1/4 cup (50 grams) granulated white sugar1/2 tablespoon Grand Marnier (optional)

Cream Cheese Frosting:

• 1 – 8 ounce (227 grams) package full-fat cream cheese, at room temperature
• 1 – 8 ounce (227 grams) tub of Mascarpone cheese, at room temperature
• 1 teaspoon (4 grams) pure vanilla extract
• 1 cup (115 grams) confectioners’ (icing or powdered) sugar, sifted
• 1 1/4 cups (300 ml) cold heavy whipping cream (cream with a 35-40% butterfat content)

Instructions;

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C) with the oven rack in the center of the oven. Butter, or spray with a non-stick vegetable spray, two 9 x 2 inch (23 x 5 cm) cake pans. Then line the bottoms of the pans with parchment paper.
2. In a bowl, sift or whisk the flour with the baking powder and salt.
3. In a small bowl rub the lemon zest into the sugar.
4. In the bowl of your electric mixer, fitted with the paddle attachment or with a hand mixer. Beat the sugar (mixed with the lemon zest), eggs, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy.
5. With the mixer on low speed, alternately add the flour mixture in additions with the milk and oil, beginning and ending with the flour mixture.
6. Evenly divide the batter between the two prepared pans, smoothing the tops with the back of a spoon or an offset spatula.
7. Bake about 25 to 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean and the cake springs back when pressed lightly in the center.
8. Place the cakes on a wire rack to cool, in their pans, for about 10 minutes. Then invert the cakes onto a wire rack. Remove the parchment paper and re-invert cakes so that tops are right side up. Cool completely before frosting.

Soaking Syrup:

1. In a small saucepan bring the water and sugar to a boil, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Let boil for about one minute. Remove from heat and let cool before adding the alcohol.
2. The soaking syrup can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator for a couple of weeks.

Cream Cheese Frosting:

1. In the bowl of your electric mixer, or with a hand mixer, beat the cream cheese and mascarpone cheese until smooth. Add the vanilla and confectioners sugar and beat until light and airy for a few minutes.
2. In a separate bowl whip the heavy whipping cream to soft peaks. Gradually fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese frosting until smooth.

Assemble:

1. Cut the two cake layers in half horizontally. Place one cake layer (top of the cake facing down) on your serving plate and lightly brush with the soaking syrup. Spread with a thin layer of frosting.
2. Next, lightly brush the cut side of the next layer with the soaking syrup. Place the cake layer (cut side facing down) on top of the frosting and spread with a thin layer of frosting.
3. Repeat the process with the next two cake layers. Then cover the entire cake with the remaining frosting. The cake can be covered and stored in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.