Barefoot Contessa's Lemon Yogurt Cake

I adore Ina Garten.

Just thought I'd get that out of the way. I have whiled away entire afternoons reading her cookbooks, enjoying a mild envy of the way she arranges her life, which seems spacious and comfortable and full of pleasure, without Martha's control-freak neuroticism. Her food is always gorgeously photographed, fresh-looking and luscious.

This cake came about because I had some yogurt left after making raita a while back, and I was already feeling guilty about throwing things away as I cleaned out the fridge. Then I remembered this recipe. The description has always made me smile, as she earnestly describes is as "good for you." It is marvelously easy to make, since you don't even need to break out the mixer, and the result is moist yet sturdy.

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 cup plain whole-milk yogurt
1 1/3 cups sugar, divided
3 extra-large eggs
2 teaspoons grated lemon zest (2 lemons)
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/3 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice

For the glaze:
1 cup confectioners' sugar
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease an 8 1/2 by 4 1/4 by 2 1/2-inch loaf pan. Line the bottom with parchment paper. Grease and flour the pan. Sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt into 1 bowl. In another bowl, whisk together the yogurt, 1 cup sugar, the eggs, lemon zest, and vanilla. Slowly whisk the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients. With a rubber spatula, fold the vegetable oil into the batter, making sure it's all incorporated. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for about 50 minutes, or until a cake tester placed in the center of the loaf comes out clean.

Meanwhile, cook the 1/3 cup lemon juice and remaining 1/3 cup sugar in a small pan until the sugar dissolves and the mixture is clear. Set aside. When the cake is done, allow it to cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Carefully place on a baking rack over a sheet pan. While the cake is still warm, pour the lemon-sugar mixture over the cake and allow it to soak in. Cool.

For the glaze, combine the confectioners' sugar and lemon juice and pour over the cake.