Can a dessert taste like sunshine? If anything can, it’s this sweet treat! This incredibly moist cake has lemon in both the batter and icing, but its secret ingredient is a lemon glaze that infuses an extra kick of flavor. To ensure it slides out of the pan smoothly and retains its shape, opt for a nonstick aluminum bundt pan, and set a timer to ensure you let it cool for the instructed 10 minutes. (Turning the cake out too soon will cause it to crumble, while letting it cool in the pan too long can cause it to stick.) But don’t worry about any minor flaws! Icing is great for covering imperfections, and more importantly, any cake that tastes this great will be a hit!
Servings: 8
Ingredients
For the cake:
3 c. all-purpose flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1 c. (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
2 c. granulated sugar
1 tsp. kosher salt
3 large eggs, room temperature
2 tbsp. lemon zest
¼ c. lemon juice
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 c. whole milk
Nonstick cooking spray for pan
For the glaze:
½ c. granulated sugar
¼ c. lemon juice
For the icing:
2 c. powdered sugar, sifted
3 tbsp. lemon juice
1 lemon, zested
Preparation
Preheat the oven to 350˚.
Make the cake: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour and baking powder.
In a large bowl, cream the butter, sugar, and salt with an electric hand mixer until fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating until fully incorporated before adding the next. Add the lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla and beat to combine.
Add half the flour and beat to combine, then beat in the milk, then add the rest of the flour and beat just until incorporated. Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula and make sure any floury spots are incorporated.
Grease a 10-inch bundt pan with nonstick spray. Spoon the batter into the pan and smooth the top. Gently tap the pan against the counter to release any air bubbles.
Bake the cake for 50 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
While the cake is baking, make the lemon glaze: In a small microwave-safe bowl, combine the sugar and lemon juice. Microwave for 1 minute, stirring halfway through, until the sugar is completely dissolved. Set aside.
Make the lemon icing: Sift the powdered sugar into a medium bowl. Add the lemon juice and whisk until smooth.
After the cake is done baking, let cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then invert onto a wire rack set over a baking sheet and remove the bundt pan. Use a knife to loosen the cake around the edges, if needed.
Use a skewer or fork to poke holes all over the top and sides of the cake. Brush the cake with the lemon glaze. If the glaze drips off, let the cake cool for a few more minutes, then continue brushing on the glaze. Let cool completely, at least 1 hour.
Pour the icing over the top of the cake, letting it drip down the sides. Grate lemon zest over the icing. Let the glaze dry completely, about 30 minutes.
Transfer the cake to a serving platter, slice, and serve.
Enjoy!