Baking: Irresistible Lemon Drizzle Cake Recipe

Introduction

If you love desserts that are light, zesty, and melt-in-your-mouth delicious, this Lemon Drizzle Cake deserves a spot in your baking repertoire. With its soft, buttery crumb and tangy lemon glaze, it’s the perfect treat for afternoon tea, brunch gatherings, or anytime you crave something fresh and comforting.

Ready to bake? Let’s dive into this foolproof, irresistible lemon drizzle cake recipe.

🍋 Ingredients

Here’s everything you’ll need:

For the Cake:

• 225g (1 cup) unsalted butter, softened
• 225g (1 cup) caster sugar
• 4 large eggs
• Zest of 2 lemons
• 225g (1¾ cups) self-raising flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 2 tbsp milk

For the Lemon Syrup:

• Juice of 2 lemons
• 85g (⅓ cup) caster sugar

For the Glaze (Optional):

• 100g (¾ cup) icing sugar
• 2–3 tbsp lemon juice

👩‍🍳 Method

Step 1: Preheat and Prepare

• Preheat your oven to 180°C (160°C fan) or 350°F.
• Grease and line a 2lb loaf tin with parchment paper.

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar

• In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and caster sugar until pale and fluffy. This helps incorporate air for a light texture.

Step 3: Add Eggs

• Beat in the eggs one at a time. If the mixture starts to curdle, add a spoonful of flour to bring it back together.

Step 4: Fold in Dry Ingredients

• Gently fold in the flour, baking powder, and lemon zest using a spatula or large spoon. Add the milk to loosen the batter slightly.

Step 5: Bake

• Pour the batter into your prepared tin and level the top.
• Bake for 45–50 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.

Step 6: Make Lemon Syrup

• While the cake is baking, mix the lemon juice and caster sugar in a small bowl until dissolved.

Step 7: Drizzle and Cool

• As soon as the cake comes out of the oven, poke several holes in the top with a skewer.
• Slowly spoon the lemon syrup over the warm cake so it soaks in.
• Let the cake cool in the tin.

Step 8: Finish with Glaze (Optional)

• Mix the icing sugar and lemon juice to make a smooth, pourable glaze.
• Drizzle over the cooled cake for extra sweetness and shine.

🍰 Tips for Perfect Lemon Drizzle Cake

✅ Use fresh lemons—bottled juice doesn’t have the same brightness.
✅ Don’t overmix the batter; gently fold to keep it airy.
✅ Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days (it gets even more flavorful after a day).
✅ Freeze slices individually wrapped for up to 1 month.

Serving Suggestions

Serve your lemon drizzle cake:

• With a cup of Earl Grey or chamomile tea.
• Warmed up with a dollop of crème fraîche.
• As part of an elegant dessert platter.