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Fresh Citrus Cake

Featured in Let's Bake Something Wonderful.

A soft and zesty lemon dessert, topped with a deliciously tangy glaze for an irresistible treat.

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Hannah Author
Updated on Mon, 14 Apr 2025 16:38:25 GMT
A moist lemon bundt cake glazed and cut, showing a fluffy interior. Pin it
A moist lemon bundt cake glazed and cut, showing a fluffy interior. | recipesbyhannah.com

Tangy lemon brings summertime brightness to this incredible bundt creation. The soft interior, zippy topping and beautiful golden exterior makes every bite absolutely delicious.

Zesty Citrus Delight

Real lemon peel and juice running through each mouthful makes this cake stand out. Soft, decadent and fluffy - it's perfect for weekend gatherings, late afternoon snacks or whenever you're craving a bit of sunshine.

Kitchen List

  • Flour: 2 ¾ cups properly scooped.
  • Lemons: Only use real ones, skip the store juice.
  • Butter: 1 cup softened completely.
  • Sour cream: 1 cup for extra softness.
  • Eggs: 4 large room temperature.
  • Powdered sugar: 1 ½ cups for topping.
  • Vanilla: 2 tsp genuine extract.

Baking Time

Start:
Warm oven to 350°F and coat bundt pan thoroughly.
Mix:
Beat butter with sugar, drop in eggs, vanilla, citrus bits and sour cream before gently adding flour mixture.
Bake:
Transfer to pan and cook 50-60 minutes, rest 15 then turn out.
Glaze:
Stir sugar with lemon juice until runny.
Finish:
Pour topping, sprinkle with zest and enjoy.
A freshly baked bundt cake with a glossy icing and orange zest on top, partially sliced to reveal its moist interior. Pin it
A freshly baked bundt cake with a glossy icing and orange zest on top, partially sliced to reveal its moist interior. | recipesbyhannah.com

Success Tips

Don't use cold ingredients straight from the fridge. Mix everything lightly for best texture. Make tiny holes before adding glaze to let more lemon flavor soak in.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Why did my cake stick?

Thoroughly coat the pan with grease and flour. Let cool 10 minutes before removing.

→ Can I prepare it early?

It stays fresh on the counter 3 days or in the fridge up to 5 days. Glaze later for best results.

→ Why use ingredients at room temp?

They mix evenly, creating smoother batter. Let them sit out at least an hour.

→ Can this cake be frozen?

Freeze it without the glaze for up to 3 months. Defrost overnight, then glaze freshly.

→ How can I boost lemon flavor?

Fresh lemons pack more punch—use both zest and juice for maximum taste.

Fresh Citrus Cake

Brightly flavored lemon bundt with a sweet glaze perfect for gatherings or any moment.

Prep Time
20 Minutes
Cook Time
55 Minutes
Total Time
75 Minutes

Category: Sweet Kitchen

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: American

Yield: 12 Servings (1 cake)

Dietary: Vegetarian

Ingredients

01 1 cup of softened butter.
02 2 teaspoons of vanilla.
03 2 cups of granulated sugar.
04 4 eggs.
05 ½ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice.
06 1 tablespoon of lemon zest.
07 ½ teaspoon of salt.
08 ½ teaspoon of baking soda.
09 1 teaspoon of baking powder.
10 2¾ cups of all-purpose flour.
11 1 cup of sour cream.
12 3-4 tablespoons of lemon juice for the glaze.
13 1 teaspoon of lemon zest for the glaze.
14 1½ cups of powdered sugar for the glaze.

Instructions

Step 01

Start by setting your oven to 350°F and preparing a bundt pan with grease.

Step 02

In a bowl, stir together salt, baking soda, baking powder, and flour.

Step 03

Whip the butter with the sugar until it’s light and fluffy.

Step 04

Drop in eggs one by one. Make sure each is well mixed before adding the next.

Step 05

Blend in sour cream, lemon juice, lemon zest, and vanilla extract.

Step 06

Slowly add the dry mixture into the wet one and stir until smooth.

Step 07

Pour the batter into the bundt pan and bake for around 50 to 60 minutes. Use a toothpick to check if it’s ready—if it comes out clean, you’re good!

Step 08

Let the cake sit for about 15 minutes to cool down a bit. Then carefully take it out of the pan.

Step 09

Mix together powdered sugar with lemon juice and zest until smooth, then drizzle on the cake.

Notes

  1. Use ingredients that aren’t cold for better mixing.
  2. Fresh lemons will give you the most vibrant flavor.

Tools You'll Need

  • Pan for bundt cakes.
  • Hand or electric mixer.
  • A fine zester or grater.
  • Rack to cool baked goods.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains dairy.
  • Made with eggs.
  • Uses wheat flour.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 385
  • Total Fat: 16 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 58 g
  • Protein: 5 g