Initial preps: wash the lemons, grate some lemon zest and squeeze the lemon juice.

• Lemon Curd

1. In a pot, add yolks sugar and flour. Give it a quick mix.

2. Add the lemon juice, mix until evenly and no lumps.

3. Cook the mixture over low heat until it’s thickened. Stir continuously.

4. Once thickened, remove from the heat. Add butter. Mix until well combined.

5. Strain the curd into a bowl.

6. Cover and attach a cling film on the curd to avoid skin develop on the surface.

7. Refrigerate while working on the next step.

8. You’ll need to give it a quick mix and transfer into a piping later when it’s ready for use.

• Lemon Poppy Seed Cake

1. Preheat oven at 160°C/320°F.

2. Sift the flour and baking powder.

3. Separate the eggs into bowls.

4. In a large bowl, add softened butter and sugar. Mix until it’s creamy, fluffy and pale. Scrape the bowl occasionally for even mixing.

5. Add the lemon juice, vanilla and salt. Mix until combined.

6. Add the egg yolks, one at a time. Mix until combined, then add another yolk.

7. Fold in the sifted dry ingredients in 2 batches. Fold until combined, do not over mix.

8. In the bowl of egg whites, add the cream of tartar. Start mixing on low until foamy. Add the sugar in 3 batches. Continue mixing on high speed until stiff peaks formed, with adding the sugar in between.

9. Fold the egg whites into the yolk mixture, just until the whites disappear. Do not over mix.

10. Transfer the batter into a 9x4x3 inch loaf pan, greased and lined with parchment paper. Tap the pan on the table few times to release air bubbles.

11. Bake in preheated oven at 160°C/320°F for 55-60 min, or until inserted skewer comes out clean.

12. Let the cake cool completely before slicing it.

13. Slice the cake into 3 sheets, with 1.5cm thick each sheet.

• Cream Cheese Frosting

1. In a large bowl, add cream cheese and condensed milk. Mix until well combined.

2. In another large bowl, add whipping cream and sugar. Mix just until stiff, do not over mix.

3. Mix the whipping cream into the cream cheese mixture. Do not over mix. Switch to a spatula to scrape the bowl for even mixing.

4. Transfer into a piping bag.

• Assemble the Cake

1. Spread a little cream on the cake board.

2. Place the first layer of cake. Brush with syrup on the cake surface.

3. Pipe the cream cheese frosting around the rim.

4. Pipe the lemon curd inside the rim. Spread evenly with a spatula.

5. Pipe another layer of cream cheese.

6. Place another cake sheet and repeat step 1 to 5.

7. Cover with a thin layer of frosting as crumb coat. Refrigerate for 30 min or until the coat is hardened.

Remark: you may keep the remaining frosting in the fridge for time being. Later when it’s ready for use again, if the frosting is a little too tight, just add a couple tablespoon of whipping cream and mix until combined. Add a tablespoon at a time or until you get the right smooth consistency. The consistency will be smooth again for cake covering.

    8.   Cover the cake with the remaining cream cheese frosting.

    9.   Pipe the deco on the cake and size of the cake. Add some lemon slice   

          halves in between the dollops. Add mint leaves.

    10.  Refrigerate the cake for at least 30 min before cutting.