Moist, light, and citrusy, drizzled in a sweet glaze, there is everything to love about this dessert.

Perfectly Moist Pound Cake

Why wait in line for a luscious slice of Starbucks’ famous lemon loaf when it’s so easy (and less expensive) made from scratch at home?

  • This recipe uses just a few ingredients you likely have on hand already like butter, flour, and eggs.
  • It’s easy to make and can be baked in advance. Then just freeze in individual slices for future coffee cake breaks!
  • Top with the glaze below or serve with whipped cream and fruit (like fresh raspberries).
  • Lemon pound cake has a soft and buttery texture with a fresh citrusy zing. It’s the perfect complement to coffee or tea

Ingredients

Pound Cake Batter: The freshest ingredients are best for the most flavorful lemon pound cake!

  • Use real butter (not margarine), sugar, full-fat sour cream, and large eggs.
  • Check that your baking powder/soda isn’t expired.
  • Lemon is the signature flavor, use real fresh lemons (since you’ll need the zest anyhow). Bottled lemon juice is often bitter.
  • Ensure ingredients are at room temperature.

Lemon Glaze: This is a simple glaze (not an icing) with lots of lemon flavor. Use real fresh lemons here too.

Optional Add-Ins:

  • Fresh blueberries can be added to the recipe by tossing them in flour before adding them to the batter. This keeps them from sinking to the bottom of the cake pan.
  • Add a spoonful of poppy seeds and add 1/4 teaspoon or so of almond extract.
  • A little bit of lemon extract can be added if you’d like.

Get an extra burst of lemony flavor and serve slices with some homemade lemon curd.

How to Make Lemon Pound Cake

  • Zest and juice lemons as directed in the recipe below.
  • Whisk dry ingredients in a small bowl. Set aside.
  • Cream butter & sugar with an electric mixer until light & fluffy. Mix in lemon juice and eggs.
  • Add the flour mixture and sour cream & beat on low speed just until combined. Don’t overmix!
  • Spread batter into a prepared pan & bake until a wooden pick or cake tester comes out clean.

Cool and glaze.

PRO TIP: Before zesting or cutting the lemon for juice, microwave it for 20 seconds to warm it enough to extract the most juice.

Tips

  • Ensure all ingredients are at room temperature.
  • Scrub the lemon to remove any wax that might have been sprayed on it.
  • When testing lemon, you want just the yellow part of the skin. The white part underneath (the pith) is bitter. Use a microplane grater or zester to remove the zest.
  • Be sure to measure the flour by scooping it into the measuring cup, not scooping it with the measuring cup.
  • Mixing the butter and sugar for a long time is essential, this adds air into the butter giving the perfect texture. Use a paddle attachment on a stand mixer if you have one.
  • Do not overbeat the eggs or the batter with the flour. Mix just until combined.

Storing Pound Cake

Wrap leftover lemon pound cake in plastic wrap and keep it at room temperature (or refrigerate it for an afternoon refresher) and use it within a week. Use leftover slices to make delicious French toast sticks or add to a fancy strawberry trifle.

Freezer: Freeze leftover cake or slices in plastic wrap and place in zippered bags for up to 3 months.

Did you make this Lemon Pound Cake? Be sure to leave a rating and a comment below! 

 

Recipe Adapted. “Sour Cream Pound Cake.” Better Homes and Gardens New Cookbook. East Bridgewater: Meredith Books, 2003. 168. Print.

Lemon Pound Cake

Nutrition Information

Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.

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