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Moist and Zesty Lemon Layer Cake with Tangy Glaze

Close-up of a moist, two-layer lemon cake recipe slice topped with thick, dripping yellow lemon glaze.
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A recipe for a tender, moist lemon layer cake made from scratch, topped with a bright, tangy lemon glaze.

Ingredients

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  • 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon lemon zest
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • For the Glaze: 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour two 8-inch round cake pans.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
  3. Add the softened butter, eggs, milk, lemon juice, lemon zest, and vanilla extract to the dry ingredients. Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed for two minutes until the batter is smooth.
  4. Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans.
  5. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  6. Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes before inverting them onto a wire rack to cool completely.
  7. While the cakes cool, prepare the glaze: Whisk the powdered sugar and lemon juice together until smooth. Add more powdered sugar for a thicker glaze or more lemon juice for a thinner glaze.
  8. Once the cakes are fully cooled, place one layer on a serving plate. Spread a thin layer of glaze over the top. Place the second layer on top and pour the remaining glaze over the top, allowing it to drip down the sides.

Notes

  • For extra moisture, you can brush the warm cake layers with a simple syrup made from equal parts sugar and water, heated until dissolved, before glazing.
  • Use fresh lemon juice and zest for the best flavor. Bottled juice changes the taste.
  • You can bake this recipe as a loaf cake; increase the baking time to 50-60 minutes.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://tastytipster.com/lemon-cake-recipe-moist-zesty/