Lemon and Basil Poke Cake

Ingredients

• Basil Whipped Cream

  • 1 tsp gelatin
  • 1 tbsp (15 ml) cold water
  • 1 1/2 cups (375 ml) 35% whipping cream
  • 1/4 cup (55 g) sugar
  • 1/3 cup (15 g) basil leaves, finely chopped, plus more for assembly

• Lemon Cake

  • 3/4 cup (180 ml) milk
  • 1/3 cup (75 ml) lemon juice
  • 1 2/3 cups (250 g) unbleached all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/2 cup (115 g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 1/4 cups (265 g) sugar
  • 2 lemons, zest finely grated
  • 1 tsp (5 ml) vanilla
  • 2 eggs

• Lemon Cream

  • 1/2 cup (105 g) sugar
  • 2 tbsp cornstarch
  • 1/2 cup (125 ml) lemon juice
  • 1/4 cup (60 ml) milk
  • 2 to 4 drops yellow liquid food colouring, or more, as desired (see note)
  • 1/4 cup (55 g) unsalted butter, diced

• Garnish

  • 1 lemon, peeled down to the flesh, cut into skinless segments, segments cut into 3