Indulge in a slice of pure delight with this Lemon Cake to Die For! Bursting with fresh lemon flavor and topped with a zesty lemon glaze, this cake is light, moist, and perfectly balanced between sweet and tart. Ideal for celebrations or a cozy afternoon treat, it’s bound to become your go-to lemon dessert. Enjoy the bright, sunny flavors that make this cake irresistible!
Ingredients:
For the Cake:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup buttermilk (or 1 cup milk + 1 tablespoon vinegar)
- 3 large eggs
- Zest of 2 large lemons
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
For the Lemon Glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2-3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest (optional)
Instructions:
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
- Prepare the Cake Batter: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
- Incorporate the Flavors: Mix in the lemon zest and lemon juice. In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients, alternating with the buttermilk, starting and ending with the flour mixture. Mix until just combined; be careful not to overmix.
- Bake the Cakes: Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes before transferring them to wire racks to cool completely.
- Make the Lemon Glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons of lemon juice, and lemon zest until smooth. If the glaze is too thick, add more lemon juice a teaspoon at a time until you reach your desired consistency.
- Assemble the Cake: Once the cakes are completely cool, place one layer on a serving plate. Drizzle half of the lemon glaze over the first layer. Top with the second cake layer and pour the remaining glaze over the top, allowing it to drip down the sides.
- Serve and Enjoy: Let the glaze set for a few minutes before slicing. Serve this delicious lemon cake at room temperature, and enjoy the bright, zesty flavors that make it truly to die for!