10+ Lemon Cake Recipes to Brighten Your Day

Lemon cake is a delightful dessert that brings a burst of fresh flavor to any occasion. Whether you’re celebrating a birthday, hosting a tea party, or just craving something sweet, lemon cake recipes offer a variety of options that are sure to please everyone. From moist pound cakes to light layered cakes, there is a lemon cake recipe for every baking skill level.

Trying your hand at lemon cake not only satisfies your sweet tooth but also allows you to explore the bright and zesty flavors that lemons bring to baked goods. With so many recipes available, you can easily find one that fits your taste and occasion. Get ready to enjoy the deliciousness of homemade lemon cake!

1) Moist Lemon Pound Cake

If you love lemon desserts, this moist lemon pound cake is perfect for you. It’s fluffy, flavorful, and easy to make from scratch. Each bite offers a bright lemon taste that leaves you craving more.

You will need simple ingredients like butter, sugar, eggs, and fresh lemon juice. This cake is rich and tender, making it a dream for lemon lovers. Follow the steps closely for the best results.

Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 4 large eggs
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup buttermilk
• Zest of 2 lemons
• 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Grease and flour a bundt pan.
3. In a bowl, cream the butter and sugar together.
4. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well.
5. Stir in the lemon zest and juice.
6. In another bowl, mix the flour, baking powder, and salt.
7. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, alternating with buttermilk.
8. Pour the batter into the prepared pan.
9. Bake for 60-70 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
10. Let it cool before serving. Enjoy your delicious lemon cake!

2) Zesty Lemon Curd Cake

Zesty Lemon Curd Cake is a refreshing treat that balances tart and sweet flavors. This cake features moist lemon layers filled with rich lemon curd, creating a delightful bite.

You’ll top it off with a light lemon buttercream frosting. The creamy texture perfectly complements the zesty cake. Each slice offers a burst of citrus that brightens up any occasion.

It’s perfect for parties, picnics, or just a cozy afternoon at home. Your friends and family will love this vibrant dessert.

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ cups sugar
• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 4 large eggs
• 1 cup milk
• ½ cup lemon juice
• Zest of 2 lemons
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• Pinch of salt
• Lemon curd for filling
• Lemon buttercream for frosting

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
3. In a bowl, cream together the sugar and butter.
4. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each.
5. Stir in milk, lemon juice, and zest.
6. In another bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and salt.
7. Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet mixture.
8. Pour batter into prepared pans and smooth the tops.
9. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
10. Let the cakes cool before removing from pans.
11. Fill with lemon curd and frost with lemon buttercream.

3) Heavenly Lemon Layer Cake

The Heavenly Lemon Layer Cake is a delightful treat that’s perfect for any occasion. This cake is light and fluffy, with a refreshing lemon flavor that brightens up dessert time. You’ll love the layers of lemon curd and buttercream frosting that add sweetness and tartness.

To make this cake, you’ll need a few key ingredients. Prepare for a delightful baking experience as you assemble your materials. This cake is sure to impress your friends and family.

Ingredients

• 1 ¼ cups white sugar
• 1 cup butter, softened
• 3 eggs
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 3 lemons, zested
• 1 teaspoon baking powder

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a mixing bowl, cream the butter and sugar together.
3. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
4. Stir in lemon zest, flour, and baking powder.
5. Pour the batter into prepared pans and bake for 25-30 minutes.
6. Let the cakes cool before stacking them with lemon curd and frosting.

4) Classic Lemon Loaf

The Classic Lemon Loaf is a simple and delightful treat. It’s fluffy, moist, and packed with lemon flavor. This cake makes a perfect dessert or a sweet snack.

To make this lemon loaf, you will need basic ingredients like flour, sugar, eggs, and fresh lemon juice. The zesty taste brightens your day and is sure to impress anyone who tastes it.

You can top it with a sweet glaze for extra flavor. This adds a nice shine and a hint of sweetness to balance the tartness of the lemon.

Ingredients

• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup sugar
• ¾ cup yogurt or sour cream
• 3 large eggs
• ¼ cup lemon juice
• Zest of 1 lemon
• 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Grease and flour a loaf pan.
3. In a bowl, mix flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
4. In another bowl, whisk sugar, eggs, yogurt, lemon juice, and zest.
5. Combine wet and dry ingredients gently.
6. Pour the batter into the prepared pan.
7. Bake for 50-60 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

5) Lemon Bliss Bundt Cake

The Lemon Bliss Bundt Cake is a delightful treat with a perfect mix of sweet and tart. This cake is moist and packed with lemon flavor, making it a favorite for any occasion.

You start with a lemon cake batter that’s simple to prepare. The Bundt shape adds elegance, making it great for gatherings. Once baked, a lemon glaze can be drizzled on top for extra flavor.

Enjoy a slice with your afternoon tea or serve it at a party. This cake will surely impress your guests.

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 4 large eggs
• 1 tablespoon lemon zest
• 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• Pinch of salt

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C).
2. Grease and flour a Bundt pan.
3. In a large bowl, mix flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
4. In another bowl, beat sugar, sour cream, and oil until smooth.
5. Add eggs, lemon zest, and juice. Mix well.
6. Combine wet and dry ingredients until just blended.
7. Pour the batter into the prepared pan.
8. Bake for 50-60 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.
9. Let cool before removing from the pan. Enjoy!

6) Lemon Cream Cheese Cake

Lemon Cream Cheese Cake is a delightful dessert that combines zesty lemon flavor with creamy richness. You will enjoy the tangy taste that pairs perfectly with the smooth cream cheese frosting.

This cake usually has layers filled with lemon curd. It often features a marbled look thanks to creamy frosting swirled with lemon curd. This makes it both tasty and beautiful.

The recipes can be quite simple, even using a cake mix for a quick option. You can also make it from scratch if you prefer.

Ingredients

• 1 box of yellow cake mix
• 1 cup of cream cheese
• 1 cup of lemon pie filling
• ½ cup of butter
• 2 cups of powdered sugar
• 1 tablespoon of lemon juice

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Prepare the cake mix as directed on the box.
3. Pour the batter into a greased baking pan.
4. Bake for about 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
5. Mix cream cheese, butter, and lemon juice with powdered sugar to make frosting.
6. Once the cake cools, frost with lemon cream cheese frosting.
7. Serve and enjoy!

7) Sunshine Lemon Sponge Cake

This Sunshine Lemon Sponge Cake is bright and refreshing. The light sponge is perfect for anyone who loves a citrusy treat. You’ll enjoy the balance of sweet and tart flavors in each bite.

To start, you’ll need a simple list of ingredients. They include flour, sugar, eggs, lemon juice, and lemon zest. These basics come together to create a delicious cake that’s hard to resist.

When baking, keep your oven at 350°F (175°C) for the best results. The cake cooks quickly, so keep an eye on it.

After cooling, you might want to drizzle some lemon glaze on top for extra flavor. This cake can be a delightful addition to any gathering or a sweet treat for your family.

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 3 large eggs
• ½ cup fresh lemon juice
• Zest of 1 lemon
• 1 tsp baking powder

Cooking Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a mixing bowl, beat eggs and sugar until fluffy.
3. Add lemon juice and zest.
4. Gradually mix in flour and baking powder.
5. Pour batter into a greased pan.
6. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until golden.
7. Let cool and drizzle with lemon glaze, if desired.

8) Easy Lemon Butter Cake

You’ll love making this easy lemon butter cake. It has a rich, buttery flavor and a hint of tartness from the lemons. This cake is perfect for a dessert or a sweet snack.

Using simple ingredients, you can whip up this delicious treat in no time. The cake has a gooey filling that adds to its charm.

Serve it warm or let it cool for a refreshing dessert. You can even drizzle it with a simple lemon glaze for an extra touch.

Ingredients

• ¾ cup sugar
• ½ cup butter (1 stick), melted
• 1 egg
• 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla
• 2 lemons, zested
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 1 ¼ cup flour

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a bowl, mix melted butter and sugar.
3. Add the egg, vanilla, lemon zest, and juice, mixing well.
4. Gradually stir in the flour until combined.
5. Pour the batter into a greased baking pan.
6. Bake for 35-40 minutes or until a cake tester comes out clean.

9) Tangy Lemon Drizzle Cake

The Tangy Lemon Drizzle Cake is perfect for lemon lovers. Its bright flavor makes it a refreshing treat. The cake is fluffy and moist, with a sweet and tangy drizzle on top.

To make this cake, combine simple ingredients like flour, sugar, butter, and fresh lemon juice. The drizzle adds an extra layer of flavor, soaking into the cake for a delightful finish.

You can enjoy this cake for dessert or as a snack with tea. It’s easy to make and looks beautiful on any table.

Ingredients

• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 3 eggs
• ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
• Zest of 1 lemon
• 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• For the drizzle: ½ cup powdered sugar and 2 tablespoons lemon juice

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Grease and flour a loaf pan.
3. In a bowl, mix flour, baking powder, and salt.
4. In a separate bowl, cream the butter and sugar.
5. Add eggs, lemon juice, and zest. Mix well.
6. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture.
7. Pour the batter into the prepared pan.
8. Bake for 45-50 minutes until golden brown.
9. For the drizzle, mix powdered sugar with lemon juice.
10. Pour the drizzle over the cake while it’s still warm.

10) Fluffy Lemon Chiffon Cake

A fluffy lemon chiffon cake is light and airy, making it perfect for any occasion. It combines eggs, flour, and fresh lemon zest for a refreshing flavor. The texture is soft, and it pairs well with whipped cream or fresh berries.

To make this cake, you’ll start by whisking egg yolks with water, oil, and vanilla. Then, fold in the sugar, flour, and lemon zest for that bright taste. Baking it at 350°F (175°C) will give you a lovely golden color.

Once baked, let it cool before serving. You can enjoy it plain or with a dollop of whipped cream.

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 4 large eggs, separated
• ½ cup water
• ⅓ cup vegetable oil
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Zest of 1 lemon
• 1 ½ tsp baking powder
• ¼ tsp salt

Cooking Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a bowl, whisk egg yolks, water, oil, vanilla, and lemon zest.
3. In another bowl, mix flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
4. Combine both mixtures carefully.
5. Beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form, then fold into the batter.
6. Pour the batter into a cake pan and bake for about 25-30 minutes.
7. Allow to cool before serving.