Description
A moist, tangy lemon cake recipe topped with a creamy lemon cream cheese frosting. Perfect for celebrations or casual baking days.
Ingredients
For the Lemon Cake:
2½ cups all-purpose flour (300g)
1½ teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
¾ teaspoon salt
1 cup unsalted butter, softened (227g)
1½ cups granulated sugar (300g)
2 tablespoons lemon zest (about 2 lemons)
3 large eggs
1 cup buttermilk (240ml)
¼ cup lemon juice (60ml)
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
For the Frosting:
1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature (227g)
8 oz cream cheese, room temperature (226g)
1 tablespoon lemon zest (about 1 lemon)
7 cups powdered sugar (840g)
2 tablespoons lemon juice (about 1 lemon)
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease and line two 8-inch round cake pans with parchment paper.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
3. In a large bowl, beat butter until creamy. Add sugar and lemon zest. Beat until light and fluffy.
4. Add vanilla, then eggs one at a time, mixing well and scraping the bowl between additions.
5. Stir buttermilk and lemon juice together.
6. With mixer on low, alternate adding flour mixture and milk mixture, starting and ending with flour. Mix until just combined.
7. Divide batter between pans. Bake for 35–40 minutes. Cool in pans 15 minutes, then invert onto wire racks and cool completely.
8. For the frosting, beat butter and cream cheese until creamy. Add lemon zest and beat until fluffy.
9. Gradually add powdered sugar and lemon juice. Mix until smooth. Beat in vanilla.
10. Frost the cooled cake layers, then decorate with lemon slices or flowers if desired.
Notes
To measure flour properly, spoon it into a measuring cup and level with a knife. Avoid scooping directly from the bag.
Use cake strips or trim domed tops for even stacking.
Bring cold ingredients to room temperature before baking.
Only zest the yellow part of the lemon, avoiding the bitter white pith.
Roll lemons before juicing for better yield.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Cakes Recipes
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American