Description
This Moist Lemon Cake Recipe yields a tender and flavorful pound cake with a delightful lemony taste. The cake is topped with a lemon syrup and icing, making it a perfect dessert or teatime treat.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
For the lemon pound cake:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1 Tbsp lemon zest
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 Tbsp lemon juice (about 1/2 lemon)
- 1/2 cup buttermilk (see note for substitution)
For the lemon syrup:
- 1/4 cup lemon juice (about 1 lemon)
- 3 Tbsp powdered sugar
For the lemon icing:
- 1 cup powdered sugar, sifted
- 1 1/2 Tbsp lemon juice
- 1 Tbsp milk
Instructions
- Preheat oven and prepare pan: Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C) and grease a 9×5-inch (or 8×4-inch) loaf pan.
- Prepare dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking powder, lemon zest, and salt. Set aside.
- Cream butter and sugar: Using a stand mixer or electric mixer, cream butter and sugar until pale and fluffy.
- Add wet and dry ingredients: Add eggs, vanilla extract, and lemon juice. Mix in the flour mixture and buttermilk alternately until just combined.
- Bake the cake: Transfer batter to the prepared pan and bake for 45-55 minutes until golden brown and a toothpick comes out clean.
- Prepare lemon syrup: Combine lemon juice and powdered sugar. Brush the warm cake with the syrup after cooling for 15 minutes.
- Ice the cake: Mix powdered sugar, lemon juice, and milk to make the icing. Pour over the cooled cake and allow it to set before serving.
Notes
- If you don’t have buttermilk, you can make your own by combining 1/2 cup of milk with 1.5 tsp lemon juice or white vinegar.
- Beating the sugar and butter well helps make the cake fluffy and tender.
- Fresh lemon juice is recommended but bottled juice can also be used.
- This cake can be made with lime or orange juice for variation.
- Consider lining the pan with parchment paper if unsure about sticking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 285
- Sugar: 24g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 46g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
