Lemon Drizzle Cake has to be one of my all time favourite cakes. While there are a gazillion recipes on the internet and in books, I wanted to add my own. Firstly because hopefully this blog will become a go-to resource for our children as they continue on their cooking and baking journey. Also, I like my lemon drizzle a certain way. That is, with a fresh lemon glacé icing draped and drizzled over the top. I hope that you enjoy my take on this classic cake?
Since there are various ways to make a lemon drizzle cake, I thought I’d explore them. Traditionally a lemon sugar syrup is made and poured over the top of the cake, creating a crunchy, sugar crust as it cools. For my take on this version see these Mini Lemon Drizzle Bundt Cakes.Perfect individual portions of sunshine.
Lemons And Their Versatility In The Kitchen
Lemons are a must-have ingredient in my kitchen. Used in both sweet and savoury recipes they are essential in my Tangy Lemon Potato Salad where the un-waxed, scrubbed lemons are cut so thinly they are eaten as part of the dish. Also they are used to thin down mayonnaise for my Crunchy Homemade Coleslaw.Whether halved and added to the cavity of a roasting chicken, or simply squeezed over baked salmon, they add a burst of flavour that lifts each dish.
While lemon extract is available and I confess sometimes is used in my recipes, nothing is quite as good as using the real thing. During lemon season I buy un-waxed lemons as they tend to be slightly under ripe. However, I have had many a mouldy lemon lurking in the fridge! So, if buying waxed lemons, simply scrub under hot water with a nail brush. As a note, I lightly scrub un-waxed lemons as well if using the zest.
You will need a 25cm x 11cm x 7.5cm (10” x 4.5” x 3”) 2lb loaf tin,
Recipe: Lemon Drizzle Cake serves 8-10
225g/8oz Unsalted Butter at room temperature
225g/8oz Caster Sugar
4 Large Free Range Egg
250g/9oz Plain White Flour
1 tsp Vanilla Extract – I use Nielsen-Massey
2 tsp Baking Powder
1 Whole Lemon – finely zested and juiced
1/4 tsp Sea Salt – I use Maldon Sea Salt, halve quantity if using free flowing
175g/6 oz Icing Sugar
Optional – White and Yellow Sprinkles – mine are from Waitrose
Method: Preheat oven to 160C/140C fan, 325F, gas mark 3.
Making And Baking The Lemon Cake
- Place butter, caster sugar and salt into a large bowl and whisk until pale and creamy.
- Sift the flour and baking powder into a separate bowl.
- Add 2 eggs, the vanilla extract and half of the sieved flour to the creamed butter and sugar. Whisk until just combined.
- Now add the last 2 eggs, remaining flour and lemon zest.
- Stir the ingredients together with a metal spoon until thoroughly combined.
- Spoon the lemon cake batter into the prepared tin ensuring the top is level.
- Place the cake into the centre of the oven and bake for 1 hour 10 minutes – 1 hour 20 minutes. My cake took 1 hour 15 minutes.
- The cake is baked when it is golden in colour, firm to touch and an inserted skewer comes out clean.
- As soon as the cake is baked remove from the oven and allow to cool for 20 minutes in the tin.
- While the cake cools make the glacé icing.
Making The Fresh Lemon Icing And Decorating The Cake
- Sieve the icing sugar into a bowl and add the lemon juice. Stir until thickly combined and completely lump free. If the icing is too thick add a few drops of water.
- After 20 minutes cooling, run a palette knife around the outside edge of the cake. Turn the cake out – take care it will still be warm. Peel back the parchment paper from the base and discard.
- Place the cake on to a cooling rack which is then place over a tray or plate.
- Using a spoon drizzle the lemon icing over the cake, encouraging it to drip down the sides in places.
- Finally scatter over some yellow and white sprinkles and leave the cake to cool completely.
Once cooled this cake is easily sliced. Serve with lemon tea for extra lemon flavour.
Keep the cake in an airtight container and eat within 5 days. Refrigerate during warmer weather.
If you have enjoyed this recipe for Lemon Drizzle Cake you may also like these:
Raspberry Lemon Celebration Layer Cake
Pomegranate Lemon Drizzle Bundt Cake
Since this cake is so delicious, it’s good to know that I have successfully doubled the recipe and baked two cakes at the same time. It is my firm belief that all food tastes better when shared. So, whether you are baking this cake for yourself, or alternatively as a gift, it’s definitely worth making two. In fact why not give both cakes away?
Whatever you are making, baking and creating in your kitchens, have fun preparing and sharing your feast.
Sammie xx
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