There's just something so comforting about the scent of Lemon Butter Cake wafting from the oven on a lazy Sunday afternoon. It's the kind of home-baked treat my mom used to whip up for family gatherings, and let me tell you, her Lemon Butter Cake was legendary in our neighborhood. Maybe it's the zesty lemon aroma or the way the buttery richness seems to hug your soul, but this cake is a crowd-pleaser that never disappoints. Perfect for when you want to add a little zest to your weekend or make your weekday dinner feel a bit more special. Plus, this easy recipe is an uncomplicated delight, ideal for those times when the balance between a busy working life and your passion for baking meets in harmonious simplicity.
The Lemon Butter Cake is scrumptious on its own, but if you want to go the extra mile, you could pair it with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. For those who love a bit of tartness, fresh berries are not only a flavorful addition but also add a pop of color to your dessert spread.
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Classic Lemon Butter Cake
Servings: 8-10 servings
Servings: 8-10 servings
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- Zest of 2 lemons
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- Zest of 2 lemons
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the glaze:
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1-2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1-2 tablespoons lemon juice
Directions
1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9-inch cake pan, or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
2. In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each is well incorporated.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the creamed mixture, alternating with the sour cream. Begin and end with the dry ingredients.
4. Fold in the lemon juice, lemon zest, and vanilla extract until just combined. Pour the batter into your prepared pan.
5. Bake for around 45-50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.
6. For the glaze, whisk together the powdered sugar and lemon juice to your desired consistency. Drizzle over the cooled cake.
Variations & Tips
- If you're feeling adventurous, try adding a handful of poppy seeds to the batter for a Lemon Poppy Seed Butter Cake twist.
- To make this cake ahead, you can bake it, let it cool thoroughly, then wrap it in plastic wrap and store it in the fridge. Just add the glaze before you're ready to serve.
- For an extra lemon kick, brush the top of the cake with a simple lemon syrup (equal parts lemon juice and sugar, heated until the sugar dissolves) before applying the glaze.
- Substitute Greek yogurt if you don't have sour cream on hand. It will still give that rich, moist texture we're after in a good butter cake.
- Use a microplane for zesting your lemons; it'll help you get only the outer zest without the bitter white pith.
- To make this cake ahead, you can bake it, let it cool thoroughly, then wrap it in plastic wrap and store it in the fridge. Just add the glaze before you're ready to serve.
- For an extra lemon kick, brush the top of the cake with a simple lemon syrup (equal parts lemon juice and sugar, heated until the sugar dissolves) before applying the glaze.
- Substitute Greek yogurt if you don't have sour cream on hand. It will still give that rich, moist texture we're after in a good butter cake.
- Use a microplane for zesting your lemons; it'll help you get only the outer zest without the bitter white pith.
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Enjoy your baking endeavors, sweet friends, and remember that every slice of this Lemon Butter Cake comes with a little dash of nostalgia and lots of buttery, lemony love!