Lemon Basil Cake uses the wonderful combination of lemon and basil to turn ordinary vanilla cake into something unique and delicious.  It might sound a bit odd to put an herb like basil in a cake, but think of how mint is often used in a similar way.   We're used to adding spices like cinnamon and nutmeg to desserts but herbs are not as commonly used.  This year, herbs are popping up in sweet desserts in recipes and on restaurant menus.   The flavors are amazing:  rosemary cake, basil sherbet, lavender creme brulee.  For Valentine's day I made a lavender vanilla souffle and it was so fragrant and heavenly tasting.  

Beyond desserts, herbs are showing up in drinks as well - this summer, try lemon basil lemonade for a refreshing twist.  Right now Trader Joe's has their big basil plants for $2.99 each, so pick one up.   Fresh basil is amazing in these desserts and in so many dishes  - anything from pastas to curries to tomato & mozzarella salads.

For this recipe, you'll be adding the lemon and basil ingredients to Trader Joe's vanilla cake mix.   If you prefer to make your cake from scratch, just add the lemon and basil to your favorite vanilla cake recipe in the same manner described below.  Slice and serve topped with fresh berries - blueberries are a perfect complement to the flavors of this cake.  The cake is already quite sweet, so I prefer it with fresh fruit or whipped cream, but you can also drizzle it with a sauce such as Wild Maine Blueberry Fruit Sauce, right before serving.

Lemon Basil Cake

1 Package Vanilla Cake & Baking Mix (requires 2 eggs, 1 stick melted butter or 1/2 cup oil, and 1 cup cold milk)
Zest of 2 lemons, about 2 Tbsp (use a lemon zester to make it easy)
1/2 cup finely chopped fresh basil

1.) Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2.) Mix together cake batter as directed.  When the batter is smooth, stir in lemon zest and basil.
3.) Spread batter in oiled 8x8-inch pan.  Bake 40-43 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
4.) Cool and remove from pan.  When serving slices, top with blueberries or whipped cream.

Serves 9