Description
Sunshine-kissed Lemon Cake brings zesty Mediterranean charm to dessert tables, promising pure delight. Creamy layers and tangy notes dance together, inviting you to savor each refreshing bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients:
- 1.5 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 0.5 teaspoon baking soda
- 0.25 teaspoon salt
Wet and Flavor Ingredients:
- 0.5 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 0.33 cup fresh lemon juice (about 2 lemons)
- Zest of 2 lemons
- 0.5 cup whole milk
- 0.25 cup sour cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Glaze Ingredients:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 23 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- Zest of 1 lemon (optional for extra flavor)
Instructions
- Prepare the oven at 350F (175C) and prepare a 9-inch round or loaf pan by greasing and lining the bottom with parchment paper to ensure easy cake removal.
- Sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl, creating a uniform dry mixture.
- Using an electric mixer, cream butter and sugar until the mixture becomes light and airy, approximately 2-3 minutes. Incorporate eggs individually, ensuring thorough mixing after each addition.
- Fold in lemon zest and vanilla extract, blending them smoothly into the butter mixture.
- Whisk lemon juice, milk, and sour cream in a separate bowl to create a tangy liquid component.
- Gradually incorporate dry ingredients into the butter mixture, alternating with the liquid mixture. Mix gently to maintain a smooth batter consistency, being careful not to overmix.
- Transfer the batter into the prepared pan, smoothing the surface to ensure even baking.
- Bake for 35-40 minutes (round cake) or 50-55 minutes (loaf), checking doneness with a toothpick that should come out clean when inserted into the center.
- Let the cake rest in the pan for 10 minutes, then carefully transfer to a wire rack for complete cooling.
- Prepare the glaze by whisking powdered sugar and lemon juice until achieving a smooth, pourable consistency. Adjust thickness as needed.
- Once completely cooled, drizzle the glaze over the cake and optionally sprinkle additional lemon zest for enhanced flavor and presentation.
Notes
- Choose room temperature ingredients for smoother mixing and better cake texture.
- Zest lemons before juicing to maximize flavor extraction and avoid wasting citrus.
- Gently fold ingredients to maintain air bubbles, ensuring a light and fluffy cake structure.
- For gluten-free option, substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 30 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg