Lemon Drizzle Cake
Lemon Drizzle Cake is a bright, refreshing, and moist cake featuring zesty lemon flavor combined with a sweet, tangy drizzle. It offers a tender crumb and a golden crust, perfect for all occasions—from casual teas to celebrations. Easy to make with simple ingredients, this versatile cake is a crowd-pleaser with a delightful balance of citrus and sweetness.
- Author: Mary
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45-50 minutes
- Total Time: 60-65 minutes
- Yield: 1 loaf cake (about 8-10 slices) 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: British
- Diet: Gluten Free (with substitution)
Dry Ingredients
- 225g self-raising flour
- 225g sugar
- 1 tsp icing sugar (for drizzle)
Wet Ingredients
- 225g butter, softened
- 4 eggs
- 50ml milk
- Zest of 2 lemons
- Juice of 2 lemons (divided between batter and drizzle)
- Prepare Your Ingredients and Oven: Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Grease a loaf tin or line it with parchment paper. Zest and juice the lemons first to have them ready and fresh.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar together until pale and fluffy, creating a light base for the cake mixture.
- Add Eggs and Lemon Zest: Beat in the eggs one at a time to ensure they’re well incorporated, then stir through the finely grated lemon zest for that vibrant aroma.
- Fold in Flour and Milk: Gently fold the self-raising flour into the mixture in batches, alternating with milk to keep the batter smooth and tender.
- Bake the Cake: Pour the batter into your prepared tin and smooth the top evenly. Bake for around 45-50 minutes, or until a skewer inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Prepare and Apply the Lemon Drizzle: While the cake is still warm, mix the lemon juice with the icing sugar and pour this drizzle over the top, letting it soak into the cake for that signature moistness and tang.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the cake to cool completely before slicing so the glaze sets perfectly and the flavors meld beautifully.
Notes
- Use Fresh Lemons: Freshly zested and juiced lemons provide the best aromatic flavor compared to bottled juice.
- Don’t Overmix: Gently fold ingredients to keep the cake light and airy without developing too much gluten.
- Apply Drizzle While Warm: This helps it soak deeply into the cake, enhancing moisture and tang.
- Test for Doneness: Use a toothpick or skewer to check—your cake shouldn’t be wet but can be a little sticky from the drizzle.
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Softened butter and eggs at room temperature blend better and produce a smoother batter.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/10 of cake)
- Calories: 310 kcal
- Sugar: 30g
- Sodium: 85mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 1.5g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Keywords: lemon drizzle cake, lemon cake, citrus cake, moist cake, easy dessert, British cake, gluten free cake option