Ingredients
For the Cake:
3 cups cake flour (or all-purpose flour minus 2 tbsp per cup + cornstarch)
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
2 cups granulated sugar
3 large eggs, room temperature
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
2 tbsp lemon zest
1 cup buttermilk
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp lemon extract
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
Pinch of salt
For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
8 oz cream cheese
1/2 cup butter
2 cups powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
OR
For the Lemon Glaze:
3 cups powdered sugar
6 tbsp fresh lemon juice
1 tbsp lemon zest
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C). Grease and line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until pale and fluffy (about 3 minutes).
3. Beat in eggs one at a time. Add lemon zest, lemon juice, vanilla, and lemon extract.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together cake flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
5. Alternately add the dry ingredients and buttermilk to the wet mixture, starting and ending with flour. Mix until just combined.
6. Pour batter into prepared pan and smooth the top evenly.
7. Bake for 30–35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
8. Let the cake cool completely on a wire rack.
9. For the frosting, beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add powdered sugar and vanilla and mix until fluffy. Spread on cooled cake.
10. For the glaze, whisk lemon juice, zest, and powdered sugar. Pour over cooled cake and let set before slicing.
Notes
Use fresh lemon juice and zest for the brightest flavor.
Do not overmix to keep the crumb light and tender.
To deepen lemon flavor, brush warm cake with a lemon syrup (equal parts lemon juice and sugar).
Frosted cake should be refrigerated if using cream cheese.
You can also bake this batter into cupcakes or mini cakes — adjust bake time accordingly.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 29g
- Sodium: 170mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 37g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 60mg