Description
Lemon coffee cake is a moist, tender cake with a bright, tangy lemon flavor from fresh lemon juice and zest, balanced by a soft, buttery crumb. Perfect for brunch or a light dessert.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3 large eggs
- ½ cup sour cream
- ½ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
- Zest of 2 lemons
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13-inch baking pan.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until well combined.
- In a separate bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy (about 3–5 minutes).
- Add the eggs one at a time to the butter-sugar mixture, mixing well after each addition.
- Mix in the sour cream, lemon juice, lemon zest, and vanilla extract until well incorporated.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring gently until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
- Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Dust with powdered sugar before serving, if desired.
Notes
- Use a gluten-free flour blend with xanthan gum for a gluten-free version.
- Substitute dairy ingredients with plant-based options to make it dairy-free.
- Add blueberries or raspberries for a fruity variation.
- Chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans can add a crunchy texture.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
Keywords: lemon coffee cake, lemon dessert, brunch cake, sour cream cake, citrus cake