Lemon Tea Cake is a light, tender cake that’s perfect for afternoon tea or a refreshing dessert. With its bright, tangy lemon flavor and moist crumb, this cake strikes a perfect balance between sweet and citrusy. The addition of lemon zest and juice gives it a fresh, zesty aroma, while a simple lemon glaze adds just the right amount of sweetness and shine. Whether served plain or with a dollop of whipped cream, this cake is a delightful, elegant treat that’s easy to make and sure to please any lemon lover.
Ingredients:
For the Cake:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tbsp lemon zest (about 2 lemons)
- ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
- ½ cup buttermilk or whole milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
For the Lemon Glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp lemon zest
Instructions:
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a loaf pan or a small bundt pan.
- Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- Cream the Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the lemon zest and vanilla extract.
- Add the Wet Ingredients: Mix the fresh lemon juice into the buttermilk. Add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture in three batches, alternating with the buttermilk mixture, starting and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined, being careful not to overmix.
- Bake the Cake: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake for 40-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Make the Lemon Glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, lemon juice, and lemon zest until smooth.
- Glaze the Cake: Once the cake has cooled, drizzle the lemon glaze over the top, allowing it to run down the sides.
Enjoy this fresh and zesty Lemon Tea Cake with a cup of tea or coffee for a perfect afternoon treat!
