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Delicious Lemon Cake Recipe

5 from 74 reviews

This delicious lemon cake recipe offers a perfect balance of sweet and tangy flavors, featuring moist and tender layers infused with fresh lemon zest and juice. Ideal for any occasion, this cake is simple to prepare and bakes to golden perfection, making it a delightful treat for lemon lovers.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tbsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp salt

Wet Ingredients

  • ½ cup unsalted butter (room temperature)
  • 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
  • 1 tbsp fresh lemon zest
  • ½ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven and Prepare Pans: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease two round cake pans to ensure the cake does not stick during baking.
  2. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening and seasoning agents.
  3. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a separate large bowl, beat the unsalted butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, which helps to incorporate air for a tender cake crumb.
  4. Add Eggs and Flavorings: Add the eggs one at a time to the creamed butter and sugar, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the fresh lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla extract to combine the flavors.
  5. Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the flour mixture into the wet ingredients, mixing gently until just combined to avoid overworking the batter and creating a dense cake.
  6. Pour and Bake: Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans and place them in the preheated oven. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean indicating the cake is fully cooked.
  7. Cool and Serve: Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for about 10 minutes, then remove and transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting or dusting with powdered sugar as desired.

Notes

  • Ensure butter is at room temperature for optimal creaming with sugar.
  • Do not overmix the batter once the dry ingredients are added to keep the cake light and fluffy.
  • Fresh lemon juice and zest provide the best flavor, but bottled lemon juice can be used in a pinch.
  • To make this cake gluten-free, substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend.
  • Allow cakes to cool completely before frosting to prevent melting.

Keywords: lemon cake, lemon dessert, citrus cake, baked lemon cake, homemade lemon cake