Description
This stunning lemon cake features a tender, moist crumb bursting with fresh lemon flavor from real juice and zest, topped with a silky lemon glaze that creates the perfect sweet-tart balance. Simple one-bowl method delivers bakery-quality results that stay fresh for days.
Ingredients
2½ cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
2 cups granulated sugar
4 large eggs, room temperature
3 tablespoons lemon zest (from 3 lemons)
⅓ cup fresh lemon juice (from 2–3 lemons)
1 cup buttermilk, room temperature
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
¼ cup fresh lemon juice (for glaze)
1 tablespoon melted butter (for glaze)
1 teaspoon lemon zest (for glaze)
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch pan with butter and dust with flour, or line with parchment paper.
2. Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl. Set aside.
3. Combine buttermilk, ⅓ cup lemon juice, and vanilla extract in a small bowl. Set aside.
4. Beat butter with electric mixer on medium speed for 1 minute until creamy.
5. Add sugar and 3 tablespoons lemon zest. Beat on medium-high for 4-5 minutes until light and fluffy, scraping bowl frequently.
6. Add eggs one at a time, beating 30 seconds after each addition.
7. On low speed, add flour mixture in three additions alternating with buttermilk mixture in two additions, beginning and ending with flour. Mix each addition just until incorporated.
8. Scrape bowl and give 3-4 gentle stir-throughs with spatula.
9. Pour batter into prepared pan and spread evenly. Tap pan on counter 3-4 times.
10. Bake 35-40 minutes until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean and cake springs back when pressed.
11. Cool in pan on wire rack for 15 minutes.
12. For glaze: Whisk together powdered sugar, ¼ cup lemon juice, melted butter, and 1 teaspoon zest until smooth.
13. Poke holes in warm cake with skewer, pour half the glaze over top. Wait 10 minutes, pour remaining glaze. Or cool completely and pour all glaze at once for glossy finish.
Notes
Use fresh lemons—bottled juice lacks the bright flavor that makes this cake special.
Room temperature ingredients are crucial for smooth batter and even texture.
Cream butter and sugar for full 4-5 minutes—this creates light, tender crumb.
Don’t overmix after adding flour—mix just until flour disappears.
Store covered at room temperature for up to 4 days.
Freeze unglazed cake for up to 3 months, glaze after thawing.
For cupcakes: Bake 18-22 minutes in lined muffin tins.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 38g
- Sodium: 220mg
- Fat: 13g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
Keywords: lemon cake, fresh lemon cake recipe, moist lemon cake, lemon glaze cake, citrus dessert
