This limoncello poppy seed chiffon cake is a special occasion cake, one I make for the limoncello lovers in my life. I enjoy making homemade limoncello almost as much I enjoy drinking it; but I probably enjoy baking with it even more!
Chiffon Cake:
2 1/4 cups cake flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
6 large egg whites, at room temperature
3/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
1 3/4 cups white sugar, divided
6 large egg yolks, at room temperature
3/4 cup limoncello liquor
1/2 cup olive oil
1/4 cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 1/2 tablespoons freshly grated lemon zest
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon poppy seeds
Limoncello Glaze:
1 1/2 cups confectioner's sugar
3 tablespoons limoncello liquor
2 tablespoons heavy cream
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon freshly grated lemon zest
1/8 teaspoon salt
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Sift cake flour, baking powder, and 1 teaspoon salt together in a bowl.
Combine egg whites and cream of tartar in a large bowl. Beat on medium speed with an electric mixer until mixture forms soft peaks. With the mixer running, gradually pour in 1/2 cup of the granulated sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, and continue beating until mixture forms stiff, glossy peaks, 3 to 5 minutes. Set aside.
In another bowl, add egg yolks and remaining 1 1/4 cups sugar. Beat until mixture has increased in volume and lightened in color, 3 to 5 minutes. Add in 3/4 cup limoncello, olive oil, 1/4 cup heavy cream, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, 1 1/2 tablespoons lemon zest, and vanilla and mix until thoroughly combined.
Pour in 1/2 of the sifted cake flour mixture and mix until just combined. Add in remaining flour mixture plus 1 tablespoon poppy seeds and mix on low speed until just combined. Add in 1/3 of the whipped egg whites, and gently fold in until no streaks of white remain. Add in remaining egg whites and fold gently until no streaks of white remain.
Place an ungreased 10-inch tube pan with removable bottom onto a baking sheet. Pour batter evenly into the tube pan.
Bake in the preheated oven until top of the cake begins to turn golden and feels mostly set, 55 to 65 minutes. Remove pan from oven and invert onto a wire rack to cool completely, about 90 minutes.
Once cake is cooled, gently run a knife around the edges of the pan to loosen. Remove cake, then run knife along the top and center to remove from the pan insert. Place cake onto a serving platter.
To make glaze, whisk together powdered sugar, 3 tablespoons limoncello, 2 tablespoons heavy cream, 1 teaspoon lemon juice, 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest, and 1/8 teaspoon salt until smooth. Pour glaze over cooled cake.
