When life is stressful, I literally will make lemonade out of lemons. Or in this case, Glazed Lemon Cake in Mini Bundt Pans. The vibrant scent, tartness of the lemons and sweet glaze makes for a perfect dessert.
It’s also one of my Mom’s favorite treats. Since we were celebrating Mother’s Day, it was the best excuse to pull out the mini bundt pan to make them for her.
Knowing how many ways I use lemons in dishes, I often think of my aunt and uncle’s place on the west coast where having a lemon tree outside your kitchen window is common. So jealous of this! Wonder if they would grow indoors in the midwest?!
Celebrating Mother’s Day on the Road
With all that is going on in the world, we chose to celebrate Mother’s Day in a different way this year. We decided to do some sightseeing around Chicago’s Magnificent Mile instead of staying at home. After months of quarantine to stay safe and healthy, Mother’s Day became the day to get out of the house and see outside our four walls. Yet, still protected in our vehicle.
My New Wheels: The 2020 Mazda CX-9 Turbo Signature
With good weather expected and people generally staying at home, we had high hopes of seeing the beauty of downtown Chicago’s Michigan Avenue. I had just gotten the new 2020 Mazda CX-9 SUV, so was excited to explore the city in comfort.
The Mazda CX-9 Signature model has plenty of space for all of us with comfortable captain’s chairs in the second row of the car instead of standard seating. There is even a third row of seating if you need it. The one thing to consider though is using this row will decrease your “trunk space” in the back. Something to consider if you are always hauling things around. For me, it has plenty of room for what I keep store there.
When you first get in the Mazda CX-9, you feel like you are in vehicle made by a premium brand. The Nappa leather details, Santos Rosewood, sculpted aluminum and quality of the materials feels luxurious. Just without the price tag.
Mazda CX-9 Turbo Signature Amenities
There are a number of conveniences that I really found thoughtful in this Mazda CX-9 Turbo model.
1) USB ports are spread throughout the vehicle including in the third row seating.
2) The rear door has a foot activated lift gate. For a petite person, I found that very helpful. It’s also beneficial when your arms are full of packages and pushing a button or finding the key is a hassle.
3) As this model is so easy to drive on road trips, good music is a must. They thought of that with their 12 speaker Bose sound system.
4) Technology has allowed so many safety innovations from notifications if someone is in your blindspot to messages in your windshield of speed limits and stop signs.
5) The CX-9’s Skyactiv®-G 2.5T engine makes driving a lot more fun. The turbo boost you get happens right away with no lag time. So, you accelerate in an instant making the drive aspect more responsive which I noticed as I was driving along the Magnificent Mile.
If you are contemplating buying or leasing a new vehicle, test drive the Mazda CX-9 Turbo in any of the versions – Sport, Touring, Grand Touring or Signature. They are a pleasure to drive and at a price point that you feel like you are a smart shopper. (meaning you are getting a lot for your money!) For more information and to check model availability, visit their website.
As we played tourist in our own city, we actually had the opportunity to see the architecture, floral designs, shops and tourist attractions along the boulevard since there was virtually no traffic. While it was a somewhat strange feeling, it was also nice to really get to “see” the city.
Here are a few photos of Chicago that we enjoyed:
The Riverwalk is a must to relax along the water and take in the sights including many dining options. It is also where you pick up the boats to go on the wonderful architectural boat tours.
The Tribune Tower
This is under the “L” tracks in the business district known as the The Loop. What’s so strange is this should be a solid photo of cars. And it’s empty since people are staying home.
The magnificent lion protecting the The Art Institute of Chicago.
And of course, we had to see “The Bean” at Millennium Park.
This has been such a hard year for many reasons. But, the most important thing for my family was to be together to celebrate Mom on Mother’s Day. I’m so grateful we were able to do that!
Glazed Lemon Cake For Mom
We ended our tour of Chicago with my Glazed Lemon Cake in Mini Bundt Pans. This recipe is one my Mom loves, so it was fitting to make it for her on “her” day. I hope you enjoy it as much as Mom does.
Thanks for joining us in our sightseeing along Chicago’s Magnificent Mile. Happy Mother’s Day!
Glazed Lemon Cake in Mini Bundt Pans
Ingredients
- 1 stick butter, unsalted, room temperature
- 1 1/4 cups white sugar, divided
- 2 eggs, extra large
- 3-4 lemons, grated
- 1 1/2 cups flour
- 1/4 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 1/3 cup fresh lemon juice, divided
- 6 tbsp buttermilk
- 1/2 tsp vanilla
Glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray or butter and flour 6 mini bundt pans. Easiest way to move this pan is if placed on a cookie sheet or jelly roll pan. You will have leftover batter that you can make into cupcakes or mini loafs.
- Cream the butter and one cup of sugar in a bowl of an electric mixer until light and fluffy. About five minutes. With the mixer on medium, add the eggs one at a time and the lemon zest.
- Sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a bowl. In another bowl combine 1/8 cup lemon juice, the buttermilk and vanilla. Add the flour and buttermilk mixture's alternating to the batter beginning with the flour.
- Divide the batter evenly between the Bundt pans. Smooth the top of each pan. Fill to three-quarter of pan. The remainder of batter can be made into muffins or mini loafs. Bake mini bundts for 22-28 minutes testing frequently till toothpick is clean. Remove pans from oven to cool. When cakes are movable in pans, about 8 minutes, remove from pan onto cooling rack.
- Combine 1/4 cup sugar with 1/4 cup lemon juice in a small sauce pan and cook over low heat until the sugar dissolves. When the cakes are cool, place cooling rack on top of jelly roll pan to catch the drips from the lemon syrup. Spoon the syrup over the bundts. Allow the cakes to cool completely.
- To make the glaze, combine the powdered sugar and lemon juice in a bowl mixing with a whisk until smooth. Pour over cakes drizzling along the sides.
- NOTE: if you want to use this recipe for a loaf pan or traditional cake pan, double the recipe.
These mini cakes are amazing! Love how moist and flavorful they are! Definitely using this guide the next time we visit Chicago!
Thank you! I hope you enjoy the recipe and the tour suggestions. Chicago is such a beautiful city.
What a terrific idea to take a car-tour through Chicago — one of my favorite cities. That Mazda CX-9 is certainly luxurious — and I love the interior, so plush. A perfect environment to nibble your mini bundt cakes and take in the sights safely!
Thanks, Lisa! It was fun to explore the city and celebrate Mom with her favorite treat.
It is a fascinating post combined with the recipe for mini bundt cakes. Made these lemon cuties today: it is worth trying. They are yummy and delicious.
So glad you enjoyed! Thank you!
I love lemon cakes. I have to try your recipe it looks amazing! Thank you 😀
I hope you enjoy it. Thank you!
I loved your story about spending Mother’s Day on the road! And these mini lemon bundt cakes! They are soooo good!
Thanks! We thought we would take togetherness on the road. Glad you like the lemon cake.