Some desserts are just made for spring time. Our Luscious Lemon Cake with Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting is a perfect treat for spring parties or to serve after a special occasion dinner. I made this for Easter this year and everyone loved it. It’s one of those recipes that I plan on making more often.
I use my mother’s recipe for a yellow cake and added lemon extract to give it a smooth lemony flavor. If you would like to add lemon zest, that is optional.
The cake is baked in two eight inch round pans. It could also be made using a rectangular pan and served as a sheet cake for a larger crowd. Once the layers have cooled on a wire rack, generously frost the bottom layer, add the top layer, and frost the top and side of cake.
Pairing the cake with lemon cream cheese frosting gives a burst of lemon flavor, but it’s not overpowering.

Luscious Lemon Cake
Ingredients
- 2 3/4 Cups All Purpose Flour
- 2 1/2 Tsp Baking Powder
- 1/2 Cup Unsalted Butter Softened
- 1 Tsp Salt
- 1 3/4 Cups Sugar
- 1 1/2 Tsp Vanilla Extract
- 2 Eggs
- 1 1/4 Cup Milk
- 2 1/2 Tsp Lemon Extract
Frosting
- 8 oz Cream Cheese Softened
- 1/2 Cup Butter Softened
- 1 Tsp Vanilla Extract
- 1 Tsp Lemon Extract
- 4-5 Cups Powdered Sugar
Instructions
-
Preheat oven to 375 degrees
-
Prepare 2 8" cake pans with Non Stick Baking Spray
-
Combine flour, baking powder, and salt in large bowl.
-
Beat butter about 30 seconds on the cream setting of electric mixer.
-
Add sugar, vanilla extract, and lemon extract to butter. Mix on medium until well combined.
-
Add eggs, one at a time, beating on medium for 1 minute after each egg.
-
Add dry ingredients and milk alternately to mixture, beating on medium after each addition.
-
Divide batter evenly into two 8" round cake pans.
-
Bake at 375 degrees for 25 minutes. Check for doneness. Continue baking at 3 minute intervals until toothpick comes out clean when inserted into center of cake.
-
Cool on wire rack before frosting.
For Frosting
-
Cream Butter and Cream Cheese together. Add extracts and beat for 30 seconds on medium.
-
Add sugar 1 cup at a time, beating on medium after each addition.
-
Frost bottom layer of cake. Add second layer and frost top and sides of cake.
This will be my go to dessert over spring and summer. It’s easy to make and it’s a moist, flavorful cake. The combination of sweet and tart is delicious! I hope you’ll give it a try and that you’ll enjoy it as much as my family does!
Pin Me, Please!
Luscious Lemon Cake
We’ll be sharing at lots of these great parties!
Shirley Wood says
I saw this on Instagram and had to come Pin the recipe. I haven’t made a Lemon Cake in so many years. Yours sounds delicious and it is so tempting!
Beverly says
Thanks so much for the pin, Shirley! Lemon cake is a favorite for us and this recipe is a simple one. Hope your family enjoys it!
Grammy Dee | Grammy's Grid says
I’m a chocoholic but imagine the sweet and tart does make a good tasting combo! Thank you Beverly for linking up at the #BloggingGrandmothersLinkParty 27! I shared your post x 4 ♥
Beverly says
I’m with you on the chocolate, Dee! Now and then I make something other than chocolate just to change things up a bit. Thanks for the party and the shares! I appreciate it.
Jess says
THis looks amazing!! YUM!
I would love for you to share this with my Facebook Group for recipes, crafts, tips, and tricks: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pluckyrecipescraftstips/
Thanks for joining Cooking and Crafting with J & J!
Beverly says
Thanks, Jess. I appreciate the party and the opportunity to share.
Helen at the Lazy Gastronome says
This looks so good!! Thanks for sharing at the What’s for Dinner Party!
Beverly says
Thanks for the party, Helen. This is a tasty cake! Thanks!
Sandra L Garth says
Thank you for bringing this yummy cake to celebrate your story and I look forward to baking it. Thanks also for joining us again at Celebrate Your Story, have a great weekend!
Beverly says
Thanks for hosting, Sandra. I appreciate the party! Hope you’re having a fabulous weekend!
Julie says
Your cake looks so delicious. Thanks for sharing at Cooking and Crafting with J & J.
Enjoy the week
Julie
Beverly says
Thanks, Julie. We enjoyed it. Thanks for the party. Hope you have a lovely week.
Two Chicks and a Mom/Donna says
Great recipe and that you use your mom’s yellow cake recipe, even better! Thanks for sharing at party in your pjs, beverly!
Beverly says
Thanks, Donna. I was pleased that tweaking my mother’s cake recipe to make it lemony worked. Thanks for the party!