The Dreamiest Lemon Glaze Cake Recipe You’ll Ever Try

Baking a moist, zesty lemon glaze cake can turn an ordinary afternoon into a delightful culinary adventure.

This simple yet irresistible recipe brings sunshine to your kitchen with its bright, tangy flavors.

Bursting with citrusy goodness, the cake promises to be a crowd-pleaser for any occasion.

The glaze adds a sparkling sweetness that perfectly complements the tender crumb.

Each slice delivers a perfect balance of tart and sweet notes that dance on your palate.

With just a few basic ingredients and minimal effort, you’ll create a dessert that looks and tastes like it came from a professional bakery.

Lemon Glaze Cake: Why It Stands Out

• Whip Up Quickly: Super simple recipe that even beginner bakers can master with minimal kitchen skills and basic ingredients.
• Burst with Citrus Flavor: Packed with bright, zesty lemon notes that make this cake refreshingly delightful and perfect for lifting your mood.
• Versatile Crowd-Pleaser: Great for casual gatherings, afternoon tea, potlucks, or as a sweet treat that appeals to both kids and adults with its tangy-sweet profile.
• No-Fuss Preparation: Straightforward mixing technique and basic baking steps mean you can have a delicious homemade dessert without complicated techniques or specialized equipment.

Lemon Glaze Cake Pantry Ingredient Checklist

• All-Purpose Flour: A fundamental dry ingredient that provides structure to the cake.
• Baking Powder, Baking Soda, Salt: Essential leavening and seasoning agents that help the cake rise and enhance flavor.

• Butter: Adds rich flavor and helps create a tender cake texture.
• Sugar: Provides sweetness and contributes to the cake's soft crumb.
• Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and add moisture to the cake.
• Buttermilk: Adds tanginess and helps create a light, soft cake texture.

• Lemon Zest, Lemon Juice: Provide bright, citrusy flavor and aromatic notes to the cake.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and rounds out the overall flavor profile.

• Powdered Sugar, Lemon Juice, Lemon Zest: Create a smooth, tangy glaze that adds shine and extra citrus flavor to the cake.

Foolproof Steps For A Luscious Lemon Glaze Cake

Step 1: Prepare Baking Space

Warm up your oven to 350°F.

Lovingly coat a loaf pan with butter and dust with flour to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

Grab a medium bowl and whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and a pinch of salt until perfectly combined.

Step 3: Create Creamy Base

In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar until the mixture becomes light, airy, and nearly cloud-like.

Gently add eggs one by one, mixing thoroughly after each addition.

Step 4: Infuse Citrus Flavor

Stir in vibrant lemon zest, tangy lemon juice, and smooth vanilla extract.

The kitchen will start smelling incredible!

Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures

Slowly blend dry ingredients into the wet mixture, alternating with buttermilk.

Start and end with dry ingredients to ensure a silky-smooth batter.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Pour the batter into the prepared pan.

Slide into the preheated oven and bake for 45-50 minutes.

The cake is ready when a toothpick comes out clean from the center.

Step 7: Cool Down

Let the cake rest in the pan for 10 minutes.

Carefully transfer to a wire rack and allow it to cool completely.

Step 8: Create Magical Glaze

• Powdered sugar
• Lemon juice
• Lemon zest

Blend until smooth and glossy.

Step 9: Finish with Glaze

Drizzle the zesty glaze over the cooled cake.

Let it set for a few minutes before slicing and serving your citrusy masterpiece.

Chef Secrets For Easy Lemon Glaze Cake

• Use a microplane or fine grater to extract maximum lemon flavor without bitter white pith.
• Don't overmix the batter, as it can make the cake tough and dense; mix just until ingredients are combined.
• Buttermilk keeps the cake incredibly tender and adds a subtle tangy flavor that complements the lemon perfectly.
• Let the cake cool completely before adding glaze to prevent it from becoming runny and sliding off the cake.
• Store the cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days to maintain its delightful texture and taste.

Lemon Glaze Cake – Creative Twists & Add-Ins

• Gluten-Free Lemon Cake: Replace wheat flour with almond or coconut flour for a celiac-friendly version. Use gluten-free baking powder to ensure complete dietary compatibility.
• Vegan Citrus Delight: Substitute butter with coconut oil, eggs with mashed bananas or applesauce, and buttermilk with plant-based milk mixed with apple cider vinegar. Create a similar texture and tangy flavor profile.
• Olive Oil Zesty Cake: Swap butter with extra virgin olive oil for a Mediterranean-inspired version. Add fresh rosemary or thyme to enhance the herbal undertones while maintaining the lemon's bright essence.

Ways To Present Lemon Glaze Cake Elegantly

• Afternoon Tea Delight: Slice this zesty cake and serve with delicate china teacups filled with Earl Grey or herbal tea for an elegant afternoon gathering.
• Brunch Centerpiece: Arrange cake slices on a rustic wooden board alongside fresh berries and whipped cream for a stunning weekend brunch presentation.
• Picnic Perfect Treat: Pack individual cake slices in parchment paper for a portable dessert that brightens up outdoor meals and family gatherings.
• Summer Dessert Companion: Pair with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or lemon sorbet to enhance the cake's refreshing citrus notes and create a cool, delightful dessert experience.

Best Tips For Lemon Glaze Cake Storage

• Store cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Wrap tightly with plastic wrap to prevent drying out and preserve moisture.
• Wrap completely cooled cake in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before serving.
• Keep cake covered at room temperature for 2-3 days. Place under a cake dome or in a sealed container to maintain freshness.
• Warm individual slices in microwave for 10-15 seconds. Alternatively, warm in oven at 300°F for 5-7 minutes to restore softness and bring out lemon flavor.

FAQs

• Can I use regular milk instead of buttermilk?

You can substitute buttermilk by adding 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar to 1 cup of regular milk and letting it sit for 5 minutes to create a buttermilk alternative.

• How do I know if I've creamed the butter and sugar correctly?

The mixture should look pale, fluffy, and increase in volume, which typically takes about 3-4 minutes of mixing with an electric mixer.

• What if I don't have fresh lemons for zest?

You can use bottled lemon juice and dried lemon zest, but fresh lemons will provide the most vibrant flavor and aroma for the cake.

Heavenly Easy Lemon Glaze Cake Recipe

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• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Lemon glaze cake brings zesty sunshine to classic dessert lovers, promising pure delight. Silky layers infused with citrus magic invite sweet indulgence, making you crave each delectable bite.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
• 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
• 3 large eggs
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 2 cups all-purpose flour

Lemon Flavoring Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons lemon zest
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Dry Ingredients and Glaze:

• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 3 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon lemon zest

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Instructions

1. Prepare the oven at 350°F and prepare a loaf pan with grease and flour coating.
2. Combine dry ingredients – flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt – in a mixing bowl using a whisk.
3. Use an electric mixer to cream butter and sugar until achieving a soft, airy texture.
4. Incorporate eggs individually into the butter mixture, blending thoroughly after each addition.
5. Infuse the batter with vibrant lemon zest, fresh lemon juice, and vanilla extract, stirring until evenly distributed.
6. Alternate adding dry ingredient mixture and buttermilk to the wet ingredients, ensuring smooth integration and preventing lumps.
7. Transfer the silky batter into the prepared loaf pan, spreading evenly.
8. Bake for 45-50 minutes, monitoring until a testing skewer emerges clean when inserted into the cake’s center.
9. Allow the cake to rest in the pan for 10 minutes, then carefully transfer to a wire cooling rack.
10. Create a glossy glaze by whisking powdered sugar with fresh lemon juice and additional zest until achieving a luxurious, smooth consistency.
11. Once the cake has completely cooled, elegantly drizzle the lemon glaze across the surface.
12. Permit the glaze to set and solidify before slicing and serving the refreshing dessert.

Notes

• Select a fresh, ripe lemon for the most vibrant citrus flavor, ensuring the zest and juice are at their peak intensity.
• Bring all ingredients to room temperature before mixing to create a smoother, more evenly textured cake batter.
• For a gluten-free version, swap all-purpose flour with a quality gluten-free flour blend and add a teaspoon of xanthan gum for better structure.
• Enhance the cake’s moisture by brushing the warm cake with additional lemon syrup before glazing, creating an extra layer of tangy sweetness.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 378 kcal
• Sugar: 44 g
• Sodium: 210 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 11 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 52 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg