Description
A simple recipe for a moist, tender lemon layer cake featuring bright citrus flavor and a tangy lemon glaze.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- For the Glaze: 2 cups powdered sugar
- For the Glaze: 4 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 8-inch round cake pans.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
- Add the softened butter to the dry ingredients. Beat with an electric mixer on low speed until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, lemon juice, lemon zest, and vanilla extract.
- Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing on medium speed until just combined and smooth. Do not overmix.
- Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans.
- Bake for 28 to 32 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes before inverting them onto a wire rack to cool completely.
- While the cakes cool, prepare the glaze: Whisk the powdered sugar and lemon juice together until smooth. Add more lemon juice, one teaspoon at a time, if the glaze is too thick.
- Once the cakes are completely cool, place one layer on a serving plate. Spread a thin layer of glaze on top. Place the second layer on top and pour the remaining glaze over the top, allowing it to drip down the sides.
Notes
- For extra moisture, you can brush the warm cake layers with a simple syrup made from equal parts sugar and water, heated until dissolved, before glazing.
- Use fresh lemon juice and zest for the best, brightest flavor.
- To achieve a tender crumb, make sure your butter and eggs are at room temperature before mixing.
- Prep Time: 20 min
- Cook Time: 32 min
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 45g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 90mg