The Ultimate Lemon Pound Cake Recipe: A Moist & Zesty Delight
This easy-to-follow lemon pound cake recipe is moist, buttery, and bursting with fresh lemon flavor. Perfect for any occasion, it’s topped with a tangy glaze for an extra citrus kick!
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients:
- 1 cup 2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs room temperature
- ½ cup sour cream
- ¼ cup whole milk
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Lemon Flavor:
- 2 tablespoons lemon zest
- ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon lemon extract optional
For the Glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon milk or water
Instructions
Preheat and Prep:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9x5-inch loaf pan or line it with parchment paper.
Mix Dry Ingredients:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
Cream Butter and Sugar:
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
Add Eggs:
- Beat in the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
Incorporate Lemon and Vanilla:
- Add the lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla extract. Mix until just combined.
Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients:
- Gradually add the flour mixture and sour cream to the batter, alternating between the two. Start and end with the flour mixture. Mix gently to avoid overbeating.
Add Milk:
- Stir in the whole milk until the batter is smooth and creamy.
Bake:
- Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Smooth the top and bake for 55-65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Cool:
- Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
Prepare the Glaze:
- In a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, lemon juice, and milk until smooth. Adjust consistency as needed.
Glaze the Cake:
- Once the cake is fully cooled, drizzle the lemon glaze over the top. Let it set before slicing.