Description
A moist and flavorful lemon cake recipe bursting with fresh lemon zest and tangy lemon juice. Perfect for any occasion, from casual breakfasts to festive gatherings, this cake is a must-try for lemon lovers. Complete with a creamy lemon buttercream frosting and a tangy lemon glaze, it’s better than Starbucks’ Lemon Loaf.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 cups cake flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 2 eggs plus 2 egg whites
- 1/3 cup fresh lemon juice
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 3/4 cup powdered sugar, for the glaze and syrup
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Grease and flour your choice of baking pans (two 9-inch round pans, a 9×13-inch sheet pan, or a 9×5-inch loaf pan).
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients: cake flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- In a large bowl, cream unsalted butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs and egg whites, one at a time.
- Add fresh lemon juice, buttermilk, and lemon zest to the wet mixture. Mix until combined.
- Gradually fold in the dry ingredients. Avoid overmixing to keep the batter light.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pans and bake for 32–35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Prepare the lemon syrup by simmering lemon juice and powdered sugar for 25 minutes. Brush the warm cakes with the syrup for added flavor.
- Allow the cakes to cool completely on a wire rack before glazing.
- For the glaze, mix powdered sugar and lemon juice, adding milk as needed for consistency. Pour over the cooled cake and let it set before serving.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 32 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/12 of cake)
- Calories: 430
- Sugar: ~28g
- Sodium: ~180mg
- Fat: ~15g
- Saturated Fat: ~9g
- Unsaturated Fat: ~6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: ~48g
- Fiber: ~1g
- Protein: ~5g
- Cholesterol: ~60mg