Lemon Cake

This easy lemon cake is made in a 9x13 inch pan with 2 frosting options - choose between a simple lemon glaze or lemon buttercream frosting. Lemon sheet cake is moist, tangy, and bursting with fresh lemon flavor.

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Keyword easy lemon cake recipe homemade lemon cake, lemon cake, lemon cake 9x13 inch pan, lemon cake from scratch, lemon cake gluten free, lemon cake recipe, lemon cake with glaze, lemon sheet cake, lemon sour cream cake, recipe for lemon cake from scratch

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 30

Additional Time 1 30

Total Time 2 10

Servings servings

Calories 496kcal

Author Beth

Equipment

Ingredients

Lemon Cake

2 ¼ cups all purpose flour
2 ½ tsp baking powder
¼ tsp salt
1 ½ cups sugar
zest of 2 lemons
2 large eggs
¾ cup milk
¾ cup sour cream
2 tsp vanilla extract
3 tbsp fresh lemon juice this is about 2 lemons

Lemon Frosting or Lemon Glaze - you pick!

Choose between a lemon buttercream frosting or a simple lemon glaze. The lemon buttercream frosting is creamy and bright. The lemon glaze is more tangy and fresh.

Lemon Frosting

3 sticks unsalted butter, softened 1 1/2 cups
2 tbsp fresh lemon juice this is about 1 1/2 lemons
3 ½ - 4 ½ cups powdered sugar

Lemon Glaze

2 cups powdered sugar
¼ cup fresh lemon juice
zest of 1 lemon

Instructions

Lemon Cake

Preheat the oven to 350º F.
Spray a 9x13 inch baking pan with non-stick spray.
In a bowl combine the flour, baking powder, salt, sugar and lemon zest.
In a separate bowl combine the eggs, milk, sour cream, vanilla extract, and lemon juice. Whisk lightly.
Gently combine the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, mixing with a spatula until combined.
Pour the cake batter into the pan and bake for 27-30 minutes or until a tooth pick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Allow the cake to cool before adding the frosting.

Lemon Frosting or Lemon Glaze - you pick!

Lemon Frosting

Using an electric mixer, cream the butter for 1-2 minutes, until fluffy and whipped.
Add in the lemon juice, beat again.
Gradually add the powered sugar, scraping down the sides of the bowl, until everything is incorporated.

Lemon Glaze

In a bowl combine the powdered sugar, lemon juice, and lemon zest until the powdered sugar is incorporated and the consistency is runny.
Pour the glaze over the cake. You can choose to let the glaze set before cutting or not.

Nutrition