Bring butter, cream cheese, and eggs to room temperature before mixing to ensure a smooth, lump-free batter and frosting with optimal texture and rise.

Mix the cake batter just until combined after adding Sprite to preserve the carbonation bubbles, which create the ultra-moist, tender crumb this cake is famous for.

Always zest your fresh lemons before juicing them, then add both zest and juice to the frosting for intense, authentic lemon flavor that boxed extract alone cannot achieve.

Open a fresh bottle of Sprite immediately before baking to maximize carbonation, as flat soda will reduce moisture and the signature light, bubbly texture of the cake.

Refrigerate the cream cheese frosting for 15-20 minutes after mixing to reach the ideal consistency for smooth spreading without dragging or tearing the delicate cake layers.