Lemon Cake Recipe With Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting Wellplated Com

Of all the wonderful lemon recipes on my site (from the best Lemon Bars to Lemon Blueberry Bundt Cake), this fluffy lemon cake takes the crown. Among lemon desserts, this is hands-down the best lemon cake recipe I’ve ever tasted, anywhere, and quite possibly the best cake I’ve ever baked. In the comments below, you’ve called this simple lemon cake recipe:

“Super moist”“Easy”“Perfectly fluffy,” and even“The best lemon cake recipe in the world”

As for the frosting: its creaminess is exquisite. It’s not overly sweet, thanks to the tang of the cream cheese to balance it out. Between the cake and the frosting, the amount of lemon is perfect. It’s elegant, easy to make from scratch, and can turn any day into a sunny celebration.

The Very Best Lemon Cake Recipe

Here are just a few of the reasons why this cake deserves a spot at your table. It’s 100% worth making lemon cake from scratch.

The cake crumb is sublimely soft and fluffy but still holds together when you cut into it.The lemon flavor is balanced and fresh.The layers are easy to work with and frost.It slices cleanly and looks beautiful on the plate, an important quality in any cake, especially a celebratory layer cake.

How to Make Lemon Cake from Scratch

This lemon cake comes together easily with just a handful of simple ingredients. Top it off with tangy lemon cream cheese frosting for a truly special treat.

The Ingredients

While I wouldn’t consider this a healthy lemon cake, it’s absolutely worth the indulgence (remind yourself that you are baking with real, simple ingredients, not making lemon cake with cake mix).

For the Lemon Cake Batter

Cake Flour. It’s lighter and airier than regular flour, making it essential for the cake’s texture.

Egg Whites. Another key component for the cake’s light texture (save the yolks to make Banana Ice Cream).Buttermilk. Helps create a tender crumb.

Lemon Zest + Lemon Extract. How you make lemon flavor cake! Lemon extract has a concentrated flavor, which helps the lemon shine.

Butter. How does lemon cake taste like pure melt-in-your-mouth goodness? Butter is the answer! It adds rich flavor and ensures a moist lemon cake recipe.Baking Powder. Acts as a leavener to make this cake rise.

For the Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting

Cream Cheese. It gives the frosting body, balances the sweetness, and gives it a pleasantly tangy flavor. Personally, I prefer lemon cream cheese frosting to a lemon buttercream.Butter. Gives the frosting some structure and subtle richness.Powdered Sugar. Adds sweetness without taking it over the edge.Lemon Juice + Lemon Zest. Bold, bright, and zippy lemon flavor.Vanilla. I love using vanilla in lemon recipes because it enhances the flavor.

The Directions

Storage Tips

To Store. Cover the cake, and store it in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Let it come to room temperature before serving.To Freeze. Freeze lemon cake for up to 2 months. Let it thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then bring it to room temperature before serving.

Recommended Tools

Cake Pans. Ideal for this recipe (and many other delicious cake recipes).Parchment Paper. Prevents your cake from sticking to the pan.Icing Spatula. Perfect for frosting cakes. I also have my eye on this set of three.

I hope you all love this bright slice of cream-cheese frosted sunshine as much as we do!

Mix 1 cup of milk with 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar and let it sit for 5 minutes. Then add to the recipe as directed.

If you can’t find lemon extract, opt for extra zest in the cake rather than swapping lemon juice.