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Best Lemon Cake Recipe

Best Lemon Cake Recipe

A moist two-layer lemon cake with fresh lemon flavor and creamy lemon cream cheese frosting.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Cooling 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings 8

Ingredients
  

  • Cake Batter:
  • 2½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1½ cups granulated sugar
  • 2½ tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ¾ cup unsalted butter softened
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 cup milk
  • ⅓ cup fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tbsp lemon zest
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting:
  • 8 oz cream cheese softened
  • ½ cup unsalted butter softened
  • 3 cups powdered sugar
  • 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tsp lemon zest
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions
 

  • Mix dry ingredients and set aside.
  • Cream butter and sugar, then add eggs.
  • Add milk, lemon juice, zest, and vanilla.
  • Combine with dry ingredients and divide into pans.
  • Bake, cool completely, then frost between layers and over cake.

Notes

Use fresh lemon juice and zest for the best flavor
Cool the cake completely before frosting
Do not overmix the batter
Chill slightly before slicing for clean layers