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Ina's Lemon Cake

Ina’s Lemon Cake

Indulge in the deliciousness of Ina’s Lemon Cake, a perfect blend of rich, zesty flavors and creamy frosting that makes it an ideal treat for any occasion. This cake shines with its vibrant lemon notes, thanks to freshly squeezed lemon juice and zest, complemented by a luscious cream cheese frosting. Topped with fresh raspberries, this dessert is not only delightful on the palate but also visually stunning—making it a crowd-pleaser at family gatherings, summer picnics, or festive celebrations. With a simple recipe that’s beginner-friendly and offers 16 generous servings, you’ll find yourself reaching for seconds!

  • Total Time: 55 minutes
  • Yield: Serves approximately 16 slices 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 1/2 cups sugar
  • 4 large eggs
  • Zest from 5 lemons
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 3/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 3/4 cup buttermilk, at room temperature
  • 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • Powdered sugar for frosting

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F and prepare two 9-inch round cake pans with parchment paper.
  2. Cream together butter and sugar until fluffy; then add eggs one at a time along with lemon zest.
  3. In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Gradually mix into wet ingredients alongside buttermilk and lemon juice until smooth.
  4. Divide batter between pans and bake for 30-35 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.
  5. Prepare simple syrup with remaining lemon juice and sugar while cakes bake.
  6. For frosting, beat cream cheese and butter; gradually add powdered sugar until smooth.
  7. Once cakes are cooled, soak with simple syrup before applying cream cheese frosting.
  • Author: Jennifer
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 35 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving
  • Calories: 450
  • Sugar: 39g
  • Sodium: 210mg
  • Fat: 24g
  • Saturated Fat: 14g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 53g
  • Fiber: 0g
  • Protein: 4g
  • Cholesterol: 90mg

Keywords: Ensure all ingredients are at room temperature for better mixing results. Use an offset spatula for easy frosting application. Feel free to add fresh berries or a drizzle of lemon curd for extra flavor.