How to Perfect a Classic Lemon Cake

Lemon cake is a delightful treat that many people love for its tangy flavor and tender texture. If you’re looking to impress your guests or simply enjoy a homemade dessert, learning how to make the perfect lemon cake can be quite rewarding.

Ingredients Needed

• 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
• 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened (1.5 sticks)
• 3 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice (from about 5 lemons)
• 3/4 cup unsweetened sour cream
• Cornstarch for dusting the pan

Instructions

To begin, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a round or square 9-inch baking pan. Sift together the flour and baking powder into a large mixing bowl.

Using an electric mixer, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. This will take about 3 minutes on medium speed. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Incorporate the vanilla extract into this mixture.

Sift the dry ingredients over the wet ones; mix gently but thoroughly to avoid creating lumps. Fold in the sour cream and lemon juice until just incorporated. Be careful not to overmix as that would make the cake dense and tough rather than light and fluffy.

Assembly and Baking

Dollop the batter into the prepared pan, spreading it out evenly with a spatula or spoon. Bake in preheated oven for approximately 45 minutes to an hour until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. It may depend on your specific oven so keep checking around the 40-minute mark.

Glazing

Once done, take the cake off the oven and let it cool completely in its pan before removing it carefully onto a serving plate or stand. To make a lemon glaze for this cake, mix about 1/3 cup confectioner’s sugar with enough freshly squeezed lemon juice until smooth. Pour this over the top of your cooled lemon cake.

Serving Suggestions

Cut into slices and enjoy it as is or serve with fresh berries for a colorful presentation. A dollop of whipped cream can also complement the flavors nicely.

Tips for a Successful Outcome

• Ensure your eggs are at room temperature; cold eggs will make it harder to beat them into butter and sugar, leading to less volume in your cake.
• If you don’t have fresh lemons available, you can buy lemon concentrate instead. Just be aware that it might taste slightly different but still works well.
• Don't overbeat the batter after adding liquid ingredients; this would introduce too much air and cause the cake to fall when baked.

Nutritional Information (Per Serving)

The exact nutritional values may vary, but a typical serving of lemon cake can provide about:

• Approximately 350 calories per slice
• A little over 17 grams of fat
• About 28 grams of carbohydrates
• Roughly 4 grams of protein

Conclusion

Making a perfect lemon cake can be a fun and rewarding experience. With the right technique, ingredients, and time, you’ll be able to create a delightful treat that will please both your taste buds and guests.

The baking process takes around 1 hour to prepare from start to finish including cooling time but once baked, it should only take about 45 minutes in the oven. This cake serves approximately 8 people, depending on how big each slice is. Enjoy this sweet treat whenever you feel like indulging in a simple yet elegant dessert!