lemon layer cake

INGREDIENTS

• 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, at room temperature
• 2 cups sugar
• 4 eggs
• 3 cups sifted self-rising flour*
• 1 cup milk
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 8 egg yolks
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter
• 3 lemons, zest grated and juiced
• Place the ingredients in the double boiler over boiling water. Don’t let top pan touch the water. Cook and stir until mixture begins to gel or thicken ever-so-slightly. Remove from heat and allow to cool. Cover and refrigerate it to thicken.
• 5 tablespoons water
• 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
• 1 1/3 cups sugar
• 2 large eggs whites at room temperature
• 1 tablespoon light corn syrup
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/2 to 1 cup chopped nuts or shredded sweetened dried coconut (optional)