Lemon Pound Cake Recipe
This tangy and moist Lemon Pound Cake is a delightful treat perfect for any occasion. Made with fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, and a creamy yogurt base, it offers a perfect balance of sweet and citrus flavors. The cake is baked to golden perfection and topped with a smooth lemon glaze that adds an extra burst of freshness.
- Author: Clara
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 8-10 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Dry Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 8 ounces unsalted butter (softened)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs (room temperature)
- 4 tablespoons Greek yogurt (room temperature)
- 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 1/2 teaspoons lemon zest
- 3/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1–2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons milk
- Preheat oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan with nonstick spray to prevent sticking during baking.
- Whisk dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until evenly combined. Set aside for later.
- Beat butter and sugar: In a separate large mixing bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter with granulated sugar on medium speed until creamy and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
- Add eggs and wet ingredients: Add the eggs one at a time to the butter mixture, mixing well after each addition. Then, mix in the Greek yogurt, fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, and pure vanilla extract until smooth and well incorporated.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients: Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing gently and just until combined to avoid overmixing which can make the cake dense.
- Bake the cake: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Place in the oven and bake for 45-55 minutes. Halfway through the baking, tent the cake loosely with aluminum foil to prevent over-browning. Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out mostly clean with a few moist crumbs.
- Cool the cake: Remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Then carefully transfer the cake to a wire rack to cool completely before glazing.
- Prepare and apply glaze: In a small bowl, mix the powdered sugar, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, and milk. Add additional lemon juice gradually until the glaze reaches a smooth, pourable consistency. Drizzle the glaze evenly over the cooled cake.
Notes
- Room temperature ingredients help the batter mix more evenly and result in a better texture.
- Tenting with foil during baking prevents the cake from over-browning on top while allowing the inside to cook fully.
- Ensure the cake is completely cool before glazing to prevent the glaze from melting off the cake.
- You can substitute Greek yogurt with sour cream if desired for a slightly different tang.
- Store the cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for longer freshness.
Keywords: Lemon Pound Cake, Lemon Cake, Citrus Cake, Homemade Pound Cake, Moist Cake, Lemon Glaze