Lemon Pound Cake

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This lemon pound cake is the ultimate dessert for lemon lovers.

Partially sliced lemon pound cake on a plate.

Calling all lemon lovers! This lemon pound cake is a dessert made just for you. The recipe incorporates both lemon zest and lemon juice into the cake batter, infusing the cake with a lovely lemon flavor. But the real magic happens after baking — the cake is generously doused with lemon syrup and then drizzled with a tart lemon glaze, delivering an intense burst of lemon flavor with every bite. The recipe yields two ultra-moist loaves that stay fresh for days on the countertop or can be frozen for later. If you’d like to switch things up, try my popular lemon poppyseed cake and lemon blueberry pound cake variations. A big thank you and shoutout to Karen Tannenbaum, one of my longtime readers, for inspiring this wonderful recipe!

What You’ll Need To Make Lemon Pound Cake

ingredients for lemon pound cake

STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS

Start by zesting and juicing your lemons. And be sure you zest the lemons first, otherwise, it will be impossible once they are juiced. The best tool for zesting is a rasp grater but any fine grater will do.
Lemon zest next to halved lemons.Combine the flour, salt, and baking soda in a mixing bowl. I always add dry ingredients in little piles so I don’t forget what I’ve already added.

dry ingredients in mixing bowlWhisk and set aside.

whisking dry ingredients

In another bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Set aside.

buttermilk, lemon juice, and lemon zest in bowl

In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or beaters), cream the butter and sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, 3 to 4 minutes.

creaming butter and sugar

Scrape down the sides of the bowl, then beat in the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Scrape down the sides of the bowl again.

beating in the eggs

With the mixer on low speed, beat in one-quarter of the flour mixture, then one-third of the buttermilk mixture. Beat in another quarter of the flour, then another third of the buttermilk mixture. Repeat with another quarter of the flour and the remaining buttermilk mixture. Finally, beat in the remaining flour mixture.

Pound cake batter in a stand mixer.

Scrape down the sides of the bowl, and give a quick mix to make sure all of the ingredients are well-incorporated.

mixed lemon pound cake batter in mixer

Transfer the cake batter to the prepared pans and smooth with a rubber spatula.

Loaf pan full of lemon pound cake batter.

Bake for 55 to 65 minutes, or until the top is golden and a tester comes out clean.

Set the cakes on a cooling rack, and cool in the pans for 10 minutes.

Two loaf pans of lemon pound cake.

Carefully run a knife along the unlined sides of the pans to loosen the cake from the pan. Using the parchment slings, lift the cakes out of the pans and place onto the rack, leaving the parchment paper in place under the cakes. Let cool for about 1 hour.

When the cakes are almost cool, make the syrup. Combine the water and sugar in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Remove from the heat and stir in the lemon juice.

making lemon glaze

To make the glaze: in a medium bowl, whisk together the confectioners’ sugar and lemon juice. Add more confectioners’ sugar or lemon juice as necessary to make a thick but pourable glaze (it should be a little thicker than you’d think, about the consistency of molasses or honey).

how to make lemon glaze

When the cakes are cool, carefully transfer them to serving platters. Gradually brush the warm syrup all over the cakes, including the sides, letting it soak in as you go.

Finally, spoon the glaze over the top of the cake, letting it drip down the sides.

glazed lemon pound cake

Let the cakes sit for about one hour to allow the glaze to set before serving.

How To Freeze Lemon Pound Cake

The cakes can be frozen without the glaze for up to 3 months. After they are completely cooled, double-wrap them securely with aluminum foil or plastic freezer wrap, or place them in a heavy-duty freezer bag. Thaw overnight on the countertop before serving. (Add the syrup before the cake is frozen and add the glaze after the cake is thawed.)

Note: This recipe was updated in 2022; to see the original version, click here.

Partially-sliced loaf of lemon pound cake.

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Lemon Pound Cake

This lemon pound cake is the ultimate dessert for lemon lovers.

Servings: Two 8½ x 4½-inch loaves, about 16 servings
Prep Time: 25 Minutes
Cook Time: 1 Hour
Total Time: 1 Hour 25 Minutes, plus about 1 hour cooling time

Ingredients

For the Cake

  • 3 cups all-purpose flour, spooned into measuring cup and leveled-off with a knife
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup buttermilk (low-fat is fine) (see note)
  • 2 tablespoons (packed) grated lemon zest (see note)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 2 sticks (1 cup) unsalted butter, softened
  • 2¼ cups granulated sugar
  • 3 large eggs

For the Syrup

  • 2 tablespoons water
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice

For the Glaze

  • 1 cup confectioners' sugar
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and set an oven rack in the middle position. Spray two 8½ x 4½-inch loaf pans with nonstick cooking spray. Line the long sides of the pans with parchment paper “slings” and spray lightly with nonstick cooking spray again.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda and salt. Set aside.
  3. In another bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, lemon zest and lemon juice. Set aside.
  4. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or beaters), cream the butter and sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, 3 to 4 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl, then beat in the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Scrape down the sides of the bowl again.
  5. With the mixer on low speed, beat in one-quarter of the flour mixture, then one-third of the buttermilk mixture. Beat in another quarter of the flour, then another third of the buttermilk mixture. Repeat with another quarter of the flour and the remaining buttermilk mixture. Finally, beat in the remaining flour mixture. Scrape down the sides of the bowl, and give a quick mix to make sure all of the ingredients are well-incorporated.
  6. Divide the thick batter into the prepared pans and smooth with a rubber spatula. Bake for 55 to 65 minutes, or until the top is golden and a tester comes out clean.
  7. Set the cakes on a cooling rack, and cool in the pans for 10 minutes. Carefully run a knife along the unlined sides of the pans to loosen the cake from the pan. Using the parchment slings, lift the cakes out of the pans and place onto the rack, leaving the parchment paper in place under the cakes. Let cool for about 1 hour.
  8. When the cakes are almost cool, make the syrup. Combine the water and sugar in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Remove from the heat and stir in the lemon juice.
  9. When the cakes are cool, carefully transfer them to serving platters.
  10. Gradually brush the warm syrup all over the cakes, including the sides, letting it soak in as you go.
  11. To make the glaze: in a medium bowl, whisk together the confectioners' sugar and lemon juice. Add more confectioners' sugar or lemon juice as necessary to make a thick but pourable glaze (it should be a little thicker than you'd think, about the consistency of molasses or honey). Spoon the glaze over the top of the cake, letting it drip down the sides. Let the cakes sit for about one hour to allow the glaze to set before serving.
  12. Note: If you’d like to make your own buttermilk, check out the easy method here.
  13. Note: You'll need 4 to 5 large lemons for the entire recipe.
  14. Make-Ahead/Freezer-Friendly Instructions: The cakes can be made up to 1 day ahead of time and stored in a cake dome or airtight container at room temperature. They can also be frozen (without the final glaze) for up to 3 months. After they are completely cooled, double-wrap securely with aluminum foil or plastic freezer wrap, or place them in a heavy-duty freezer bag. Thaw overnight on the countertop before serving. (Add the syrup before the cake is frozen and add the glaze after the cake is thawed.)

Nutrition Information

Powered by Edamam

  • Per serving (16 servings)
  • Serving size: 1 slice
  • Calories: 313
  • Fat: 7g
  • Saturated fat: 4g
  • Carbohydrates: 59g
  • Sugar: 40g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Protein: 4g
  • Sodium: 143mg
  • Cholesterol: 51mg

This website is written and produced for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and the nutritional data on this site has not been evaluated or approved by a nutritionist or the Food and Drug Administration. Nutritional information is offered as a courtesy and should not be construed as a guarantee. The data is calculated through an online nutritional calculator, Edamam.com. Although I do my best to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures should be considered estimates only. Varying factors such as product types or brands purchased, natural fluctuations in fresh produce, and the way ingredients are processed change the effective nutritional information in any given recipe. Furthermore, different online calculators provide different results depending on their own nutrition fact sources and algorithms. To obtain the most accurate nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator.

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Comments

  • Baked this today and am so happy! It tastes amazing. I made it eggless ( making it for a gathering with food allergies) i used yogurt instead of buttermilk – everything – all measurements worked perfectly. Thank you for this recipe- yet to glaze it- will do so tomorrow.

  • After eating a slice of this cake, I will never go back to store bought. My husband said it was the best lemon pound cake he’s ever had. Thanks again Jen!

  • Hello,
    I plan on making 2 loaf pans so I can freeze one. Would you go ahead and put on the glaze and then freeze, or leave it off? Always delicious!!
    Thanks, Kristy

    • Hi Kristy, Glad you like it! It’s best if you add the glaze after defrosting. Enjoy!

  • Hi Jenn,
    I made this and everyone loved it. I want to send some up to my friend (her parents are taking it up for me) and was wondering if I could bake them in those disposable small loaf pans you find in the supermarket? If so, how many do I need and how should I adjust the time and temp? I’m thinking I need around 10 of those pans? Oh and how far up do you think I should fill the pans? Thanks!

    • Hi Cherry, Sure, I think mini loaves would work here. I’ve never made this in mini loaf pans, so I can’t say for sure, but I suspect it should make 4 – 5 loaves. The oven temp should be the same – I’m not certain how long they’ll take to bake (so keep a close eye on them), but I would start checking them at about 35 minutes. I’d love to hear how they turn out!

      • Hi Jenn,
        The mini loaves turned out pretty good I think. My friend’s parents are heading up on Tuesday so we’ll see what they say. I ended up filling 6 tins around 2/3-3/4 full. Thankfully none spilled. Same temp but for my oven it took around 45-55 minutes. I started checking around 45 because it was still pretty pale and jiggly at 35. I did grease the tins but didn’t flour them since I wasn’t turning them out. I didn’t put the glaze on yet as I didn’t want them to get gooey.

        • Thanks so much for the follow-up, Cherry. Very helpful for me and other readers too – hope your friend enjoys!

  • Loved the recipe!! You made it so easy to follow, and complete. This was my first attempt at making a pound cake, or a glaze. Loved the buttery lemon taste. Just the right amount of lemon and sugar. Will be making this again for family and friends!

    • — Janice van Beurden
    • Reply
  • Hi Jenn, maybe I didn’t go far enough in the reviews so forgive me if I missed and you already answered this. Can I add poppy seeds? And or a hint of lavender blended into the sugar first? Have you tried this? Thanks!!

    • Hi Tammie, I haven’t added either, but yes, you can add both poppy seeds and lavender to the cake. One other reader commented that she added some lavender leaves to the flour and to the syrup as it boiled and was happy with the results. Hope you enjoy!

      • Another trip to Flavor Town, Jenn! Yummo! I made for my hubby bday last night and he loved it along with all our guests! I did process a Tablespoon of Lavender into the sugar first and added a Tablespoon of Poppyseeds and wished I would have done two of each. Seeds added fun texture and visual appeal. Couldn’t quite detect the Lavendar but didn’t want to go overboard. Next time I will double the glaze to drizzle a bit over each slice. Moist and rich lemon flavour. We loved it!!!

  • Hi Jenn,

    10th one of these! Friends and family are turning me in a de facto baker! I’m not quite there yet 😋.
    Sometimes when I make this it sinks in and others it does not. I think I’m doing everything the same? I am over mixing? Too much moisture?

    Thanks

    • Hi Eric (the defacto baker ;), There are several potential reasons a cake may sink. Because it could be happening due to a variety of factors, I’d suggest skimming this article to see if there’s one issue that resonates with you. Hope it helps you get to the bottom of it!

  • I followed the directions to the letter. At 325F my cake was very under cooked at 65 minutes.
    The flavor of this pound cake is great, very lemony. I will try again but may bump up the temperature from what’s called for.

    • Hi Cheryl,
      You may want to double check that your oven temp is correct. I’ve made this 10 times without going past 60 minutes and it actually seems like I could stop at 55.
      Cheers
      eric

      • Thanks Eric, I am looking for a good oven thermometer to check.

  • Delicious. Made it exactly as written but in 2 loaf pans.
    Question, will this recipe be in the new book?
    Could I add fresh blueberries to the batter?

    • Glad you enjoyed it! This one will not be in the book (but I will have a delicious glazed pumpkin pound cake in there)! I do think you could add blueberries but keep in mind that the cake will be quite tart. Maybe serve it with sweetened whipped cream for balance? Also, I’d toss the blueberries with a tablespoon of the flour mixture beforehand to help them stay suspended in the batter.

  • I make pound cakes for my family every holiday. I generally rotate recipes. This one was AMAZING! I am going to make this over and over again. WINNER!

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