Lemon Love Cake
This Lemon Love Cake is a soft, moist lemon layer cake bursting with fresh citrus flavor and topped with creamy lemon cream cheese frosting. Perfect for spring desserts, birthdays, brunches, or afternoon tea, this refreshing lemon cake recipe delivers the perfect balance of sweet and tangy in every bite.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours
- Yield: 10–12 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
For the Cake
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
- 2 tbsp lemon zest
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup buttermilk
For the Frosting
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp lemon zest
Optional Garnishes
- Lemon slices
- Whipped cream
- Fresh berries
- Powdered sugar
- Mint leaves
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line two cake pans with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
- Stir in lemon juice, lemon zest, and vanilla extract.
- Alternate adding the dry ingredients and buttermilk to the batter, mixing until just combined.
- Divide batter evenly between prepared cake pans and smooth the tops.
- Bake for 28–32 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Allow cakes to cool completely before frosting.
- Prepare frosting by beating cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy.
- Gradually add powdered sugar, then mix in lemon juice and zest until fluffy.
- Place one cake layer on a serving plate and spread frosting evenly on top.
- Add the second cake layer and frost the top and sides of the cake.
- Decorate with lemon slices, fresh berries, powdered sugar, or mint leaves if desired.
- Chill the cake briefly before slicing for cleaner cuts.
Notes
Fresh lemon juice and zest provide the brightest flavor.Avoid overmixing the batter to keep the cake soft and fluffy.Add lemon curd between layers for extra citrus richness.This recipe can also be made as cupcakes or a sheet cake.For a lighter option, substitute whipped cream frosting.
Find it online: https://cookibly.com/lemon-love-cake/
