Description
Delightful Lemon Glaze Cake brings sunshine to sweet treats with its zesty, moist crumb and silky glaze. Each slice delivers Mediterranean-inspired freshness that will make dessert lovers swoon and crave another delectable bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup buttermilk
- 4 large eggs
Flavoring Ingredients:
- 2 teaspoons lemon zest (from 2 lemons)
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Finishing/Glaze Ingredients:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
Instructions
- Prepare the baking vessel by generously coating a 9-inch bundt or loaf pan with butter and a light dusting of flour, ensuring seamless cake release.
- Craft the cake foundation by whipping softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture transforms into a pale, airy consistency that holds delicate peaks.
- Incorporate eggs one by one, allowing each to integrate fully before adding the next, creating a silky emulsion that captures vibrant lemon zest, tangy lemon juice, and fragrant vanilla extract.
- Sift together flour, leavening agent, and a pinch of salt in a separate vessel, creating a uniform dry mixture that will provide structure to the cake.
- Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, alternating with buttermilk to maintain a smooth, lump-free batter that promises a tender crumb.
- Transfer the batter into the prepared pan, smoothing the surface with a spatula to ensure even baking and an elegant presentation.
- Slide the pan into a preheated oven at 350F (175C), allowing the cake to transform for 45-55 minutes until a slender wooden pick emerges clean when inserted.
- Allow the cake to rest in the pan for 10 minutes, then carefully invert onto a wire rack, permitting complete cooling and preventing moisture condensation.
- Compose the luminous glaze by whisking powdered sugar with fresh lemon juice and delicate zest until a silky, pourable consistency emerges.
- Cascade the glaze over the cooled cake, allowing it to elegantly drape and set, creating a glistening, citrus-infused finish.
- Present the cake adorned with fresh berries or a cloud of whipped cream, transforming a simple dessert into an irresistible culinary experience.
Notes
- Select fresh, ripe lemons for the most vibrant citrus flavor, ensuring you get maximum zest and juice for an intense lemon punch.
- Avoid overmixing the batter to prevent a tough, dense cake; gently fold ingredients until just combined for a tender crumb.
- Room temperature ingredients like butter, eggs, and buttermilk blend more smoothly and create a more uniform cake texture.
- For gluten-free option, swap all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend, maintaining the same measurements and mixing technique.
- Dairy-free modification works by replacing buttermilk with almond milk mixed with a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar, creating a similar tangy liquid.
- Store the cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for extended freshness, bringing to room temperature before serving.
- Enhance the lemon flavor by adding a teaspoon of lemon extract to the batter or brushing the warm cake with a lemon simple syrup before glazing.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 30 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg