Soft Lemon Cake

This recipe for lemon cake is perfect for breakfast or a snack, but also for a light end of meal, in short, a cake that is good for any occasion. If you’re looking for a delightful, homemade lemon cake that melts in your mouth and bursts with citrus flavour, this is it. In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. This helps ensure your lemon cake is light and fluffy by eliminating any lumps in the batter.

In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar together using an electric mixer on medium speed until the mixture is light and creamy, about 2-3 minutes. This step is crucial to give your lemon cake that soft, tender crumb. Add in the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Next, stir in the lemon zest and vanilla extract. The lemon zest adds that fragrant citrus flavour we all love in a classic lemon cake recipe.

With the mixer on low speed, gradually add the dry ingredients in batches, alternating with the lemon juice and milk. Start and end with the dry ingredients. Mix until everything is just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the cake dense. Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan and smooth out the top with a spatula. Bake in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

The cake should have a golden top and a fragrant lemon aroma filling your kitchen. Let the lemon cake cool in the pan for 10-15 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. Don’t rush this process – the cake continues to set as it cools, ensuring the perfect texture. While the cake cools, whisk together the powdered sugar and fresh lemon juice in a small bowl.

You can adjust the thickness of the glaze by adding more or less lemon juice. Once the cake is cool, drizzle the lemon glaze over the top, letting it drip down the sides. Slice your fragrant lemon cake and serve it with a cup of tea or coffee. Whether you’re enjoying it as a quick snack or as a light dessert, the bright lemon flavour will leave everyone asking for seconds. You can also serve it with fresh berries or whipped cream for an extra special touch.