Lemon Bundt Cake

This lemon bundt cake is sunshine on a plate! It’s bursting with fresh lemon flavor, super moist, and perfect for any day that needs a little zesty pick-me-up. The lemon cake is soaked in lemon syrup, topped with lemon frosting, and finished off with homemade candied lemons.

Is there anything more uplifting than the zesty aroma of Lemon Bundt Cake baking in the oven? This cake is a timeless classic that marries the tanginess of lemon with a sweet, silky lemon glaze.

Whether you’re a new home cook or an experienced baker, this cake promises to add a zing to your dessert table, and like our lemon pavlova, despite how “fancy” it looks, it is very easy to make.

For more lemony goodness, check out lemon lush and lemon blueberry cupcakes!

Why I love this recipe

I adore this bundt cake recipe for several reasons. It’s incredibly moist, thanks to the sour cream, and the natural lemon zest infuses it with a fresh, citrusy aroma that’s hard to resist.

Ingredients

The ingredient list may look long, but it is just because I divided it up by parts of the cake. There is a LOT of lemon in the recipe, you will probably need 8-9 lemons total if you are using fresh lemon juice.

Cake:

• all-purpose flour
• salt
• baking powder
• baking soda
• sugar
• zest from 3 lemons
• butter
• large eggs
• sour cream
• vanilla extract
• lemon juice
• oil

Syrup:

• lemon juice
• sugar

Frosting:

• powdered sugar
• lemon juice

Candied Lemon Slices:

• sugar
• water
• lemon juice
• lemons

Step by step

1. Preheat and Prepare: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a Bundt pan thoroughly with cooking spray, butter, or shortening.
2. Prepare the Batter: In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In a separate bowl, cream butter, sugar, and lemon zest until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, followed by the sour cream, vanilla extract, lemon juice, and oil. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until smooth.
3. Fill and Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared Bundt cake pan, ensuring it’s evenly distributed. Tap the pan gently on the counter to release any air bubbles. Bake in the preheated oven for 45-55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. While the cake bakes prepare the syrup, candied lemons, and frosting.
4. Make the Syrup: While the cake bakes, prepare the syrup by combining warm lemon juice and sugar until dissolved. Set aside.
5. Candy the Lemon Slices: Slice the lemons into 1/8-inch slices. In a saucepan, simmer water, sugar, and lemon juice until sugar dissolves. Add lemon slices and simmer until translucent. Place candied lemon slices on parchment paper to cool.
6. Prepare the Frosting: Whisk together lemon juice and powdered sugar until smooth. Adjust consistency with additional powdered sugar if needed.
7. Finish and Serve: Let the cake cool for 10 minutes after baking before flipping it onto a serving plate. Drizzle the lemon syrup over the cake, allowing it to soak in. Once cooled, frost the cake and garnish with candied lemon slices.

Serving suggestions

Now, let’s talk accompaniments! This lemon bundt cake recipe pairs beautifully with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. For an extra citrus kick, serve it with a side of lemon curd or fresh berries.

Variations

Ready to spice things up? Here are some exciting variations to give your lemon bundt cake a unique flavor twist:

• Add poppy seeds to the batter for a delightful crunch.
• Swap out the lemon juice for lime or orange juice for a citrus twist.
• Incorporate finely chopped herbs like rosemary or thyme for a savory-sweet contrast.

Storing tips

If you somehow resist devouring the entire cake in one sitting (kudos to you!), here are some storing tips to keep your lemon bundt cake fresh:

• Store the cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days.
• For longer storage, freeze individual slices wrapped in plastic wrap and foil. Thaw at room temperature before serving.

If you try this recipe please comment and rate it below, I love hearing from you!

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