Fluffy Lemon Cake with Zesty Citrus Flavor

Soft Lemon Cake Recipe

If you’re craving a light and zesty dessert, this Soft Lemon Cake is the perfect choice. It’s tender, fragrant, and bursting with fresh citrus flavors, making it an ideal treat for both everyday moments and special occasions. This recipe will guide you through every step of preparing this simple yet irresistible cake, ensuring a light and fluffy texture with just the right balance of sweetness and tartness.

Ingredients for Soft Lemon Cake (serves 8)

Instructions for Making Soft Lemon Cake

1. Prepare the lemon mixture
   Start by squeezing the juice from one of the lemons. Set aside the juice, as you’ll need it later. Grate the zest from both lemons, ensuring you capture the flavorful oils from the peel without grating into the bitter white pith. This zest will give your cake that bright lemon flavor.

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2. Mix the wet ingredients
   In a large mixing bowl, beat the eggs and sugar together using a hand mixer or stand mixer until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. The eggs should become pale in color and increase in volume. Once you’ve achieved a frothy, smooth consistency, slowly add a pinch of salt. Then, continue mixing while drizzling in the sunflower oil. This will help create an emulsified mixture that contributes to the cake’s moist texture.

3. Incorporate the lemon flavors
   Stir in the freshly squeezed lemon juice and lemon zest. This will infuse the cake with the fresh, tangy citrus notes that make this dessert stand out.

4. Add the dry ingredients
   In a separate bowl, sift the all-purpose flour and baking powder together. Sifting the flour ensures a light, airy cake. Gradually add the sifted dry ingredients to the wet mixture, one spoonful at a time, mixing gently after each addition. Be careful not to overmix, as this can result in a dense texture. The goal is to create a smooth batter with all the ingredients fully incorporated.

5. Prepare the pan and bake
   Grease a 22 cm (8.5-inch) round cake pan with butter, ensuring that the entire surface is covered. You can also line the bottom of the pan with parchment paper for extra ease when removing the cake. Pour the cake batter into the prepared pan, smoothing the top with a spatula.

6. Bake the cake
   Preheat your oven to 170°C (340°F) in static mode. Place the cake pan in the center of the oven and bake for approximately 50 minutes. To check for doneness, insert a toothpick or cake tester into the center of the cake. If it comes out clean, the cake is ready. If it has some batter stuck to it, give it a few more minutes in the oven.

7. Cool and serve
   Once the cake is baked, allow it to cool slightly in the pan for 10 minutes. Then, carefully remove it from the pan and place it on a wire rack to cool completely. For an extra touch, dust the top of the cake with powdered sugar before serving.

Tips for the Perfect Soft Lemon Cake:

• Fresh lemons are key: Using freshly squeezed lemon juice and zest will give your cake the best flavor. If you must, you can substitute bottled lemon juice, but it won’t provide the same brightness and depth of flavor.
• Don’t overmix the batter: Once you add the dry ingredients, mix just until incorporated. Overmixing can result in a dense cake.
• Check doneness carefully: Ovens vary, so make sure to check the cake starting at 45 minutes. If the cake starts to brown too quickly, you can cover it loosely with aluminum foil and continue baking.
• Make it your own: If you’d like to add more complexity to the flavor, you can mix in a teaspoon of vanilla extract or a pinch of cinnamon.

Nutritional Information (per serving)

This Soft Lemon Cake is a delightful, sweet yet tangy dessert that can be enjoyed year-round. Whether you’re serving it for a casual family dessert or for a more festive gathering, its simple elegance will surely win everyone over. The balance between the sweetness of the sugar and the brightness of the lemon makes every bite refreshing and satisfying. Enjoy your baking, and don’t forget to share the love with your family and friends!