Zesty Lemon Glaze Cake Recipe: A Sunshine-Sweet Treat

Baking enthusiasts adore this zesty lemon glaze cake that promises pure delight with every tender slice.

Crafted with precision and bursting with bright citrus notes, this cake brings sunshine to your dessert table.

The silky lemon glaze cascades beautifully over a perfectly baked golden base, creating an irresistible treat.

Rich, moist layers complement the tangy glaze, making each bite a refreshing experience.

Subtle hints of lemon dance across your palate, awakening your senses with vibrant flavor.

Simple ingredients transform into an elegant dessert that wows without complex techniques.

You’ll want to share this crowd-pleasing cake at every gathering, from casual afternoons to special celebrations.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 50 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes

Calories: 315 kcal

Servings: 13

What Goes Into Lemon Glaze Cake Recipe

• Butter: Provides rich, creamy texture and enhances cake's luxurious flavor, choose high-quality unsalted butter for best results.
• Sugar: Sweetens and helps create tender cake structure, opt for fine granulated sugar for smooth blending.
• Eggs: Bind ingredients and create cake's structure, select fresh, room-temperature eggs for optimal mixing.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and warmth to cake's flavor profile, use pure extract for authentic taste.

• Flour: Creates cake's foundation and provides structure, select all-purpose flour for consistent texture.
• Baking Powder: Ensures cake rises and becomes light, check freshness for best leavening effect.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances overall flavor, use fine table salt for even distribution.

• Buttermilk: Adds tenderness and subtle tanginess, look for fresh, full-fat buttermilk.
• Lemon Zest: Brings bright, citrusy notes and aromatic essence, use fresh, organic lemons.
• Lemon Juice: Provides vibrant citrus punch and contributes to cake's moisture, choose freshly squeezed lemons.

• Powdered Sugar: Creates smooth, glossy glaze coating, sift to remove lumps for silky finish.
• Lemon Zest: Reinforces citrus flavor in glaze, use fine, fresh zest for maximum impact.
• Lemon Juice: Thins glaze and adds zingy brightness, freshly squeezed provides best flavor.

Gear To Use For Lemon Glaze Cake Recipe

• Large mixing bowl: Essential for combining cake ingredients smoothly.
• Electric mixer or whisk: Perfect for creaming butter and sugar to fluffy perfection.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Precise for accurate ingredient quantities.
• Zester or grater: Needed to extract fresh lemon zest.
• 9-inch bundt or loaf pan: Crucial for baking the cake's shape.
• Toothpick: Helps check cake doneness.
• Wire cooling rack: Allows cake to cool evenly.
• Small bowl: Used for whisking lemon glaze.
• Whisk: Blends glaze ingredients seamlessly.
• Spatula: Helps smooth batter and transfer cake.

Steps To Bake Lemon Glaze Cake Recipe

• Warm Up the Oven

Get your kitchen superhero (the oven) ready by cranking it to 350F. Lovingly coat your baking pan with a light butter massage and dust of flour to prevent sticking.

• Mix the Magic

Grab your trusty mixing bowl and whip butter and sugar into a fluffy cloud. Gently introduce eggs one by one, letting each blend smoothly. Sprinkle in zesty lemon goodness, a splash of juice, and vanilla’s sweet whisper. In another bowl, dance together flour, baking powder, and salt. Softly fold dry ingredients into wet, alternating with buttermilk until just perfectly combined.

• Bake to Perfection

Pour your silky batter into the prepared pan, smoothing the top with love. Slide into the oven and let it bake for 45-50 minutes. Your cake is done when a toothpick comes out clean as a whistle. Let the cake rest in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack.

• Drizzle the Sunshine

Whisk powdered sugar, lemon juice, and zest into a glossy, bright glaze. Once the cake has cooled completely, drizzle this liquid sunshine all over, letting it cascade down the cake’s curves.

• Slice and Celebrate

Cut generous slices and serve with a flourish. Optional: crown with fresh berries or a cloud of whipped cream for extra joy!

Sweet Tips For Lemon Glaze Cake Recipe

• Zesty Lemon Baking Hacks: Add a splash of extra flavor by rubbing fresh lemon zest into the sugar before creaming, which releases more intense citrus oils.
• Texture-Perfect Technique: Ensure room temperature ingredients blend smoothly – take butter and eggs out 30 minutes before mixing for a lighter, more tender crumb.
• Gluten-Free Swap: Replace all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend, adding 1/2 teaspoon xanthan gum to maintain cake structure and prevent crumbling.
• Make-Ahead Magic: This cake stays moist for 3-4 days when stored in an airtight container at room temperature, making it perfect for advance party prep or weekend baking.
• Dairy-Free Adaptation: Substitute buttermilk with almond milk mixed with 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar, and use coconut oil instead of butter for a plant-based version that doesn't sacrifice flavor.

How To Serve Lemon Glaze Cake Recipe

• Citrus Breakfast Companion: Pair this zesty cake with a morning cappuccino or freshly squeezed orange juice for a delightful start to your day.
• Elegant Dessert Plating: Garnish each slice with candied lemon peels, a sprinkle of powdered sugar, and a few fresh mint leaves for a restaurant-quality presentation.
• Berry Burst Topping: Add a vibrant mix of fresh raspberries, blueberries, and sliced strawberries alongside the cake to enhance its lemony flavor and provide a colorful contrast.
• Creamy Indulgence Upgrade: Serve with a side of vanilla bean whipped cream or a small scoop of lemon sorbet to complement the cake's bright citrus notes.

Store Lemon Glaze Cake Recipe For Later

• Fridge Fresh Techniques: Store cake covered in plastic wrap or airtight container for 3-4 days, maintaining moisture and preventing drying out.
• Counter Comfort Zone: Keep cake at room temperature for 1-2 days in a covered cake stand, ideal for quick snacking and preserving soft texture.
• Freezer Friendly Strategy: Wrap cake tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil, and freeze up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before serving, ensuring zero flavor loss.
• Slice & Save Method: Cut remaining cake into individual portions, wrap separately in plastic wrap, then place in freezer-safe container for convenient single-serving treats anytime you crave a sweet moment.

Silky Lemon Glaze Cake Recipe

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4.8 from 9 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Creamy lemon glaze cake brings zesty Mediterranean sunshine to classic dessert tables. Sweet-tart notes dance across moist layers, promising refreshing indulgence you’ll savor until the last delightful crumb.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 ½ cups (340 g) unsalted butter, softened
• 4 large eggs
• 1 ½ cups (300 g) granulated sugar
• 2 ½ cups (315 g) all-purpose flour
• ¾ cup (180 ml) buttermilk
• 2 teaspoons (5 g) lemon zest (from 2 lemons)
• 2 tablespoons (30 ml) fresh lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 teaspoons (8 g) baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup (120 g) powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons (30 ml) fresh lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Lavishly butter and flour a 9-inch bundt or loaf pan to guarantee effortless cake release.
2. Creaming: Whip butter and sugar until light, fluffy, and capable of holding delicate peaks, creating a luxurious base for the cake.
3. Wet Ingredients: Blend eggs systematically, integrating lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla extract to develop a harmonious, silky emulsion.
4. Dry Mixture: Thoroughly sift flour, leavening agent, and salt, ensuring a uniform dry blend that will provide structural integrity to the cake.
5. Batter Assembly: Gently fold dry ingredients into wet mixture, alternating with buttermilk to maintain a smooth, velvety texture without lumps.
6. Baking: Pour batter into prepared pan, smoothing the surface, then bake at 350F (175C) for 45-55 minutes until a wooden pick emerges pristine.
7. Cooling: Rest cake in pan for 10 minutes, then invert onto a wire rack, allowing complete cooling and preventing moisture accumulation.
8. Glaze Preparation: Whisk powdered sugar with lemon juice and zest until achieving a silky, pourable consistency that will cascade elegantly.
9. Finishing: Drape glaze over cooled cake, letting it set into a glistening citrus-infused crown, then garnish with fresh berries or whipped cream for a sublime presentation.

Notes

• Butter with Care: Ensure butter is truly softened at room temperature, not melted, for the perfect cake texture and smooth mixing.
• Zest Technique: Grate lemon zest carefully to avoid bitter white pith, using only the bright yellow outer layer for intense citrus flavor.
• Mixing Magic: Avoid overmixing batter after adding flour to prevent a tough, dense cake; fold gently until ingredients are just combined.
• Glaze Consistency: Control glaze thickness by gradually adding lemon juice, achieving a smooth, drippable texture that sets beautifully without becoming runny.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 315
• Sugar: 32 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 16 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 43 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 75 mg