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Moist Lemon Pound Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

Moist Lemon Pound Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe


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4.7 from 18 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes - 1 hour 35 minutes
  • Yield: 12 1x

Description

Lemon Pound Cake with Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting brings sunshine right to your kitchen table with a perfect balance of tangy and sweet. Creamy frosting and zesty lemon notes create a delightful dessert that feels like a warm hug from a dear friend.


Ingredients

Scale

Cake Ingredients:

  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 2 ¾ cups granulated sugar
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • ½ cup fresh lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons lemon zest
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract

Frosting Ingredients:

  • 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 3 cups powdered sugar
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Prepare your baking vessel by thoroughly coating a 10-inch bundt pan with butter at room temperature. Dust lightly with 1 tablespoon flour to prevent sticking.
  2. Combine 3 cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, ½ teaspoon baking soda, and ½ teaspoon salt in a medium bowl. Whisk until ingredients are evenly distributed.
  3. In a large mixing bowl, cream 1 cup softened butter with 2 ¾ cups granulated sugar using an electric mixer. Beat for 3-5 minutes until the mixture becomes light and fluffy.
  4. Add 4 large eggs to the butter mixture, incorporating one egg at a time. Blend in 1 tablespoon vanilla extract, ½ cup fresh lemon juice, and 2 tablespoons lemon zest.
  5. Reduce mixer speed to low. Gradually fold in the dry ingredients, alternating with 1 cup sour cream. Mix until just combined, being careful not to overmeat the batter.
  6. Transfer the batter to the prepared pan, smoothing the top with a spatula. Bake at 325°F (163°C) for 65-75 minutes, checking doneness with a toothpick inserted into the center.
  7. Remove from the oven and let the cake rest in the pan for 15 minutes. Carefully transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
  8. Prepare the frosting by beating 8 ounces softened cream cheese with ½ cup softened butter until smooth. Gradually add 3 cups powdered sugar on low speed.
  9. Mix in 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, 1 teaspoon lemon zest, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Beat until the frosting becomes light and spreadable.
  10. Once the cake has cooled completely, generously spread the frosting over the top. Sprinkle with additional lemon zest for extra flavor and visual appeal.

Notes

  • Use room temperature ingredients for the smoothest, most even cake batter that blends together perfectly.
  • Zest the lemons before juicing to maximize flavor and ensure you get every bit of bright citrus essence into the recipe.
  • When mixing the frosting, beat the cream cheese and butter until completely smooth to prevent any lumpy texture in the final spread.
  • For a gluten-free version, swap regular flour with a high-quality 1:1 gluten-free baking blend that maintains the cake’s tender crumb.
  • Prep Time: 15-20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 1 hour 5 minutes - 1 hour 15 minutes
  • Category: Cakes
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 12
  • Calories: 475 kcal
  • Sugar: 52 g
  • Sodium: 195 mg
  • Fat: 24 g
  • Saturated Fat: 14 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.5 g
  • Carbohydrates: 64 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 6 g
  • Cholesterol: 85 mg