This mouthwatering dessert combines the light, fluffy texture of a donut with the zesty, refreshing flavour of lemon. Perfect for any occasion, this lemon donut cake is sure to be a hit with friends and family. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a bundt cake pan or donut cake pan to ensure your lemon donut cake doesn’t stick. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
This will be the base of your lemon donut cake. In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy. This process should take about 3-4 minutes using an electric mixer on medium speed. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Next, mix in the lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla extract.
The lemon zest adds a burst of citrus flavour that makes this lemon donut cake irresistible. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, alternating with the buttermilk and sour cream. Begin and end with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined, being careful not to overmix. Overmixing can make the lemon donut cake dense. Pour the batter into the prepared Bundt cake pan or donut cake pan. Smooth the top with a spatula to ensure even baking. Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the centre comes out clean.
While the cake is baking, prepare the lemon glaze. In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, lemon juice, and lemon zest until smooth. This tangy glaze is the perfect finishing touch for your lemon donut cake. Allow the lemon donut cake to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
Once the cake is cool, drizzle the lemon glaze over the top, letting it drip down the sides for a beautiful presentation. Serve your lemon donut cake with a cup of tea or coffee for a delightful treat. It’s also perfect as a refreshing dessert after a hearty meal.
Tips for the Perfect Lemon Donut Cake;
- Use Fresh Lemons: For the best flavour, always use fresh lemon juice and zest.
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure all ingredients are at room temperature before mixing. This helps the batter to combine more easily and bake evenly.
- Don’t Overmix: Mix the batter just until the ingredients are combined to keep the cake light and airy.
Ingredients for Lemon Donut Cake;
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 3 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Lemon Glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2-3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice