Lemon drizzle cake is one of those old-school, simple pleasures that puts a smile on your face with every mouthful. It’s the perfect mix of zesty lemon and light sponge. Whether it’s served as a dessert after dinner or with a cuppa in the afternoon, a lemon drizzle cake never fails to lift your day.
If you like a bit of sweet and tangy, this cake is for you. Let’s get into what makes this dessert so special, its history, and, of course, how you can make one at home.
History of Lemon Drizzle Cake
The lemon drizzle cake has been a part of British baking for centuries. The exact origin is unknown but it’s a classic in English tea time alongside scones and Victoria sponge cake. Lemon has always been a popular ingredient in desserts, as it cuts through sweetness and brings a refreshing flavour to rich dishes.
The drizzle is a sugar and lemon juice syrup that is poured over the cake prior to baking and simply seeped into the cake to keep it very moist and flavorful. Over the years, this simple cake has evolved but the essence remains the same: a light sponge with lemon flavour; it actually bursts out with lemon flavour.
What’s so special about Lemon Drizzle Cake?
There are many types of cakes out there but lemon drizzle cake stands out for a few reasons:
1. The Zest of Lemons
Lemons are naturally acidic in taste and help send a burst of flavour to the taste buds. Using both lemon juice and zest in this cake means a big citrus flavour that’s not too strong but just right. The drizzle adds a sweet contrast to the zesty flavour.
2. Moist and Tender
What sets lemon drizzle cake apart from other cakes is its texture. The drizzle, a syrup made from lemon juice and sugar, is poured over the cake while it’s still warm so the cake can absorb all that goodness. This makes the cake super tender and each bite just melts in your mouth.
3. Simple to Bake
Unlike many cakes that require layers, fillings, and frosting, the lemon drizzle cake is a breeze. No complicated techniques or special equipment are required. Whether you’re an experienced baker or just starting out in the world of baking, this cake is easy to make.
Let’s get started!
The Perfect Recipe for Lemon Drizzle Cake
Ready to bake your own lemon drizzle cake? Here's a simple recipe that will leave you with a light, lemony, and utterly irresistible cake.
Ingredients
For the cake:
1 cup (225g) unsalted butter, softened
1 cup (225g) granulated sugar
4 large eggs
2 cups (250g) self-raising flour
Zest of 2 lemons
1 tsp vanilla extract (optional)
Pinch of salt
You can also read: what are the basic ingredients for baking
For the drizzle:
¾ cup (150g) granulated sugar
Juice of 2 lemons
Instructions
1. Preheat
Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Grease and line a 9-inch loaf pan with parchment paper. So your cake comes out and doesn’t collapse.
2. Mix the batter
In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. This is the most important part so don’t rush it; beat for 3-5 minutes.
Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. If it starts to curdle, add a tablespoon of flour to bring it back together.
Add the lemon zest and vanilla extract. The zest will give the batter that lovely citrusy smell and flavour.
Finally, add the self-raising flour and salt and fold in gently until combined. Don’t overmix; you want to keep the batter light.
3. Bake the cake
Transfer the batter to the prepared loaf pan and spread on the top with a spatula. Bake the mixture for 45-50 minutes or until the skewer inserted into the centre of the cake comes out clean. The top should be golden and the kitchen will stink like freshly baked lemon cake.
Read More About It Here: How to make a cake step by step
4. Make the drizzle
During the baking of the cake, prepare the lemon drizzle. Combine granulated sugar and lemon juice by placing them into a small bowl with the sugar dissolving into the lemon juice.
5. Drizzle the syrup
After the cake is done, take it out from the oven; let it cool in the pan for some time. While the cake is still warm, poke holes all over the top with a skewer or fork.
Slowly, pour your lemon sugar mixture over the cake so that it percolates to all the holes. The cake should be allowed to cool in the pan till it reaches room temperature.
Optional: Lemon Glaze
If you want to make it look extra, you can put a lemon glaze on it. In a separate bowl, combine 1 cup (125g) powdered sugar with about 2-3 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice until you have a sauce that is thick but pourable. Pour over the cake after it has cooled down to give it an extra boost of sweetness as well as improve its appearance.
Tips for the perfect lemon drizzle cake
Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure that the butter and eggs are at the right temperatures when you are preparing the meal. This will help them blend quickly to the intended consistency to enhance the texture to your liking.
Fresh Lemons: Only use the fresh lemons for the zest and the juice part. Ordinary lemon juice contained in a bottle is not as sharp as I would want it to be for this cake.
Don’t Overbake: However, when baking, you should watch on the cake in the last few minutes. Overbaking will give you a dry cake, which defeats the purpose of a lemon drizzle cake being moist.
Serve and Store
Lemon drizzle cake is best on the day but also keeps for a few days. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Can also be frozen, wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and foil and will keep for up to 3 months.
Serve as is or with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream if you want to get fancy.
The Final Call
For some unexplained reasons, there is always an extra level of comfort that comes with a lemon drizzle cake. It is so small yet so heartwarming, all with the bright citrusy note and moist texture. It has been so reliable whether you bake this cake for a birthday, wedding, or any other purpose that could require a lovely and superb cake.
Therefore, if you will be in need of a crowd-puller or are just in the mood for a slice with your tea in the afternoon, try out this lemon drizzle cake. It will be the recipe that is bound to be on your ‘baked goods recipes’ list and one that is popular with lemon enthusiasts!
You can also bake: How to make Lemon Blueberry Layer Cake
A Simple Solution!
Don’t want to get into the hassles of baking? Leave the baking to the experts; we at Frosting by Feroze are here to create the perfectly delicious and memorable Lemon Drizzle Cake for your celebration.
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