Create Sunny Magic: The Lemon Delight Cake Recipe You’ll Love

Zesty lemon delight cake redefines ordinary baking into a vibrant culinary adventure that sparks pure joy.

Citrusy brightness bursts through every tender crumb, promising a dessert that dances between tangy and sweet.

Light, airy textures complement the bright flavor profile, creating an irresistible sensory experience.

Bakers passionate about exceptional desserts will appreciate this delightful recipe’s elegant simplicity and remarkable depth.

Soft, moist layers invite celebration with their sunshine-infused essence and delicate crumb structure.

Subtle hints of brightness elevate this cake from standard to spectacular, making it a standout treat for any gathering.

Creamy frosting and delicate lemon notes combine in perfect harmony, promising a dessert that delights from first bite to last.

What Makes Lemon Delight Cake Special

• Burst of Citrus Sunshine: Experience a vibrant lemon cake that delivers a tangy, bright flavor explosion in every single bite, bringing pure sunshine to your taste buds.
• Perfectly Balanced Texture: Enjoy an incredibly moist, tender cake with a silky smooth buttercream frosting that melts delightfully on your tongue, creating a dreamy dessert experience.
• Quick and Simple Baking Joy: Craft this showstopping cake with straightforward techniques and basic ingredients, making it accessible for bakers of all skill levels – from novice to expert – in just over an hour.

Lemon Delight Cake Ingredients

• All-Purpose Flour, Cornstarch: Provides structure and tender texture for the cake with a soft, delicate crumb.
• Baking Powder, Baking Soda: Essential leavening agents that help the cake rise and create a light, airy texture.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances the sweetness of the cake.

• Butter: Adds rich flavor and creates a smooth, creamy base for the cake batter.
• Vegetable Oil: Ensures moisture and helps create a soft, tender cake texture.
• Milk: Adds moisture and helps blend ingredients smoothly.
• Eggs: Provide structure, richness, and help bind the cake ingredients together.

• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the cake and helps create a tender crumb.
• Lemon Juice: Adds bright, tangy flavor and helps activate leavening agents.
• Lemon Zest: Provides intense, fresh lemon aroma and concentrated citrus flavor.
• Lemon Extract: Boosts the lemon flavor and adds depth to the cake's taste.
• Powdered Sugar: Creates smooth, creamy frosting with a sweet finish.

Lemon Delight Cake Instructions

Step 1: Prepare Baking Equipment

Grab 3 round cake pans (8-inch size). Thoroughly grease with butter, dust with flour, and line bottoms with parchment paper. Set pans aside.

Preheat oven to 350°F.

Step 2: Create Cake Base Mixture

• Butter
• Sugar

Blend until mixture becomes light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, mixing completely after each addition.

Step 3: Combine Liquid Ingredients

• Milk
• Lemon juice
• Cooking oil
• Lemon extract
• Freshly grated lemon zest

Slowly pour liquid mixture into butter mixture, stirring continuously.

Step 4: Prepare Dry Ingredients

• Flour
• Cornstarch
• Baking powder
• Baking soda
• Salt

Step 5: Blend Cake Batter

Gradually add dry ingredients to wet mixture. Mix until just combined, avoiding overmixing.

Step 6: Bake Cake Layers

Divide batter evenly among prepared pans. Bake for 25-30 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a skewer – it should come out clean.

Step 7: Cool Cake Layers

Let cakes rest in pans for 10 minutes. Transfer to cooling rack and allow to cool completely.

Step 8: Create Lemon Buttercream Frosting

Beat butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, mixing thoroughly.

• Lemon juice
• Cream or milk
• Lemon zest

Blend until smooth and spreadable.

Step 9: Assemble and Frost Cake

Level cake layers if needed. Apply frosting between layers and over entire cake.

Step 10: Store Cake

Keep cake in airtight container at room temperature. Consume within 2 days for best flavor.

Lemon Delight Cake Tips for Success

• Zest with Precision: Carefully grate only the bright yellow part of the lemon peel, avoiding the bitter white pith underneath for the most vibrant citrus flavor.
• Room Temperature Magic: Allow eggs, butter, and milk to sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before mixing to ensure smoother, more even cake batter.
• Gentle Mixing Technique: Fold dry ingredients into wet ingredients just until combined to prevent overmixing, which can create a tough cake texture.
• Moisture Preservation: Wrap cooled cake layers in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes before frosting to lock in moisture and make frosting easier.
• Citrus Intensity Boost: Add an extra teaspoon of lemon extract or fresh lemon zest to the frosting for a more pronounced lemon flavor that will make taste buds dance.

Lemon Delight Cake Storage & Reheating

• Refrigerate leftover cake in an airtight container, wrapping each slice tightly with plastic wrap to prevent drying. Stored properly, the cake will stay fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator. When ready to enjoy, remove the cake 30 minutes before serving to allow it to reach room temperature, which helps restore its soft texture and vibrant lemon flavor. Avoid microwaving, as this can make the cake tough and dry out the delicate crumb. Instead, gently warm individual slices on a plate for a few minutes at room temperature for the best taste and moisture.

What Pairs Well with Lemon Delight Cake

• Pair Zesty Citrus with Crisp White Wine: A chilled sauvignon blanc or pinot grigio complements the cake's bright lemon flavor, cutting through the richness of the buttercream with its refreshing acidity.
• Serve Alongside Herbal Tea: A chamomile or lavender tea balances the cake's sweetness, providing a delicate and soothing counterpoint to the tangy lemon notes.
• Accompany with Fresh Berries: A small side of fresh raspberries or blueberries adds a burst of complementary fruity flavor and provides a beautiful color contrast to the pale yellow cake.
• Enhance with Vanilla Ice Cream: A scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream creates a delightful temperature and texture contrast, melting softly against the cake's tender crumb and adding a smooth, cool element to each bite.

Lemon Delight Cake Variations to Try

• Lavender Lemon Layer Cake: Infuse the cake batter with dried lavender flowers and add a subtle lavender extract to create a fragrant, floral version of the classic lemon cake.
• Gluten-Free Citrus Sensation: Replace wheat flour with a blend of almond and rice flour, maintaining the zesty lemon flavor while making the cake suitable for gluten-sensitive individuals.
• Lemon Olive Oil Cake: Swap vegetable oil for extra virgin olive oil to add a rich, Mediterranean-inspired undertone to the light and tangy cake.
• Vegan Lemon Sunshine Cake: Use plant-based butter alternatives, flax eggs, and non-dairy milk to transform the recipe into a completely dairy-free and egg-free celebration of citrusy goodness.

Lemon Delight Cake Recipe

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4.9 from 34 reviews

• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Lemon Delight Cake brings sunshine to dessert tables with its zesty charm. Creamy lemon frosting and delicate crumb promise a refreshing slice of pure citrus happiness that delights taste buds and lifts spirits.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 4 large eggs
• 1½ cups (12 ounces/340 grams) granulated sugar
• 2 ⅔ cups (13⅓ ounces/378 grams) all-purpose flour
• ¾ cup (6 ounces/170 grams) butter (at room temperature)
• 1 cup (8 fluid ounces/225 milliliters) milk

Liquid and Flavor Enhancers:

• ¼ cup (2 fluid ounces/57 milliliters) lemon juice
• ¼ cup (2 fluid ounces/57 milliliters) neutral flavored oil
• 2 teaspoons lemon extract (optional)
• Zest of 2 lemons

Dry and Binding Ingredients:

• ⅓ cup (1½ ounces/40 grams) cornstarch
• 1½ teaspoons baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt

For the Lemon Buttercream:

• 1½ cups (12 ounces/340 grams) butter (at room temperature)
• 6 cups (24 ounces/680 grams) powdered sugar
• ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons heavy cream or milk
• 1 tablespoon lemon zest

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Instructions

1. Prepare the oven by heating to 350°F (180°C). Grease three 8-inch (20 centimeters) round cake pans with butter, dust with flour, and line the bottoms with parchment paper.
2. Using an electric mixer, cream butter and sugar until the mixture becomes pale and voluminous, approximately 3-4 minutes.
3. Incorporate eggs into the butter mixture one at a time, ensuring complete integration after each addition.
4. In a separate measuring cup, blend milk, fresh lemon juice, vegetable oil, lemon extract, and finely grated lemon zest until well combined.
5. Gradually stream the liquid ingredients into the butter mixture, mixing thoroughly to create a smooth batter.
6. In a separate bowl, sift together all-purpose flour, cornstarch, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
7. Fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring gently until just combined. Avoid overmixing to maintain the cake’s tender texture.
8. Evenly distribute the batter among the prepared cake pans, smoothing the tops with a spatula.
9. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean and the cakes are golden brown.
10. Remove from the oven and allow cakes to rest in pans for 10 minutes, then carefully transfer to a wire cooling rack.
11. For the buttercream, whip softened butter using an electric mixer until light and fluffy, approximately 2-3 minutes.
12. Gradually add powdered sugar, beating continuously until the frosting becomes smooth and creamy.
13. Incorporate lemon juice, heavy cream, and additional lemon zest into the buttercream, mixing until well blended.
14. Once cakes are completely cooled, level the layers if needed and apply the lemon buttercream between and around the cake.
15. Store the finished cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days to maintain freshness.

Notes

• Ensure all ingredients are at room temperature before starting to help them blend smoothly and create a more consistent cake texture.
• Zesting lemons requires a light touch; only scrape the bright yellow part to avoid the bitter white pith underneath.
• Precise measuring of ingredients is crucial for achieving the perfect cake consistency and preventing a dense or dry result.
• Allow cake layers to cool completely before frosting to prevent buttercream from melting and sliding off the cake.
• For an extra zingy flavor boost, brush cake layers with a quick lemon simple syrup before frosting.
• Wrap unfrosted cake layers in plastic wrap and store at room temperature for up to two days or freeze for longer preservation.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 532 kcal
• Sugar: 42 g
• Sodium: 230 mg
• Fat: 32 g
• Saturated Fat: 19 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 56 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 125 mg