Light, fluffy layers of easy lemon sponge cake sandwiched with sweet lemon buttercream frosting and a touch of lemon curd makes this cake the ultimate summer indulgence. The cake pictured is also gluten free. Gotta love that. It can be made either way, but even my pickiest tasters LOVED this cake made with a gluten free flour blend. You'll love the short list of ingredients needed to make this layered cake and you'll love the outstanding flavor even more!
Tell me all about this lemon layer cake
- Flavor – If you're a lover of lemon desserts, then this cake is a dream come true! Moist, sweet, buttery and full of deliciously sweet lemon flavor. The pop of lemon in the buttercream and the smooth spread of lemon curd in the center really put this cake over the top.
- Texture – Moist and fluffy at the same time. Total cake perfection. While all-purpose or cake flour will lend itself to a little more natural fluffiness, the gluten free flour blend stands up very well and makes a great substitute for those who cannot tolerate it, like me.
- Time – 45 minutes start to finish. Pretty quick for a 2 layer cake!
- Difficulty – Totally simple! There are no tricks or special equipment needed to achieve exactly what you see in the photos.
Can I make this cake in a 9x13 or other size?
Using 8" cake pans - No changes need to be made to the recipe. Your layers will be slightly thicker than a 9" round cake pan.
Using a 9x13 dish - No changes need to be made to the cake recipe, however the frosting will be a little different. Since there won't be a layer for the lemon curd, I suggest spreading a thin layer across the top of the cake, chilling for an hour and then piping and gently spreading frosting on top. That way you still get the punch of lemon from the curd without the trouble of layers.
Using 6" cake pans - If you love a tall thin cake, you can substitute three 6 inch cake pans without any adjustments to the cake recipe. You can do another layer of frosting and keep it a single layer of lemon curd.
Can I make these into lemon Cupcakes?
You bet! To make this lemon layer cake into cupcakes, you'll keep the cake recipe the same, but scoop batter into greased or lined cupcake tins and bake for 15-20 minutes until the center springs back when lightly touched. To add lemon curd, spoon curd into small zip top bag and snip a corner about ¼". Using a straw or chopstick, poke a hole into the top of the cupcake and then squeeze curd into the center. Frost the top using a piping bag or gently spreading lemon frosting. YUM!
Quick tips to easily spread frosting
To keep the lemon curd from squeezing out the side while cutting the cake, create a "dam" of frosting around the outer edge, as you can see in the picture below. So simple, but keeps the cake nice and neat.
If you're like me and you can't stand spreading frosting on tender cakes (hello cake crumbs in your frosting), simply put your frosting in a gallon sized zip top bag and snip the corner about ½". Then you can easily pipe the frosting and give it a quick spread, no special cake tools necessary. And you get an even layer of frosting without any frustration.
Got any other summer dessert recipes? You bet! Here's some of our readers favorites.
- Lemon Cake Cookies - Delightfully light
- Almond Lemon Cake - Naturally gluten free
- Cake Mix Lemon Poppy Seed Bundt Cake - Only 8 ingredients
- Blueberry Muffin Cake - Perfect for sharing
- Orange Dark Chocolate Chunk Scones - Try these with lemon curd, yum!
- Orange Cinnamon Tea Sandwiches - Kids LOVE these
- Healthy Chocolate Popsicles - Kids also LOVE these
- Pineapple Upside Down Cake - Gluten Free Option and Vegan
Lemon Layer Cake
Ingredients
For the Lemon Cake
- 1 cup unsalted butter room temperature
- 1 ¾ cup granulated white sugar
- 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 4 eggs room temperature
- 2 ¼ cup all-purpose flour or GF flour blend*
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¾ cup milk 2% or whole is best
- ¼ cup fresh lemon juice from 2 lemons
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest from 2 lemons
For the Lemon Frosting
- 1 cup unsalted butter room temperature
- 4 ½ cup powdered sugar sifted
- 3 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 2 tablespoon milk
- ½ cup lemon curd store bought works great
Instructions
For the Cake
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease two 8" or 9" cake pans or one 9"x13" dish for a sheet cake. Line the bottom of the cake pans with parchment paper for easiest removal. Set aside.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream butter, sugar and vanilla on high for one minute until light and fluffy. Scraping the sides as needed.
- Add eggs one at a time, mixing until fully incorporated after each addition.
- In a medium bowl, mix flour, salt and baking powder.
- In a small bowl, combine milk, lemon juice and lemon zest.
- Alternate milk mixture and flour mixture into the butter mixture in 3 additions, ending with flour. This ensures all of the liquid is thoroughly incorporated into the batter and prevents the mixture from "splitting".
- Scrape the sides of the bowl and mix until fully combined, but careful not to over mix.
- Pour the batter into the pans, dividing evenly if using 2 cake pans. Bake on center rack for 25-30 minutes, until center springs back when lightly touched or a toothpick comes out clean.
- Allow to cool in pans for 5 minutes, then remove and allow to fully cool on cooling racks.
For the Frosting
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or a hand mixer), beat butter on high for 2 minutes, until light and fluffy.
- Add lemon juice, lemon zest and half the powdered sugar. Mix on low until powdered sugar is mostly combined. Add remaining powdered sugar (adding slowly avoids a powdered sugar mess in the kitchen).
- Mix on low until powdered sugar is all mixed in, then turn the mixer up to medium high and beat for 3 minutes until light and fluffy.
- To frost the cake, place first cake layer on a cake stand or serving platter. Pipe a ring of frosting around the outer edge. Spoon and spread lemon curd in the center (see notes above for pictures to show this process).
- Add second cake layer and pipe remaining frosting on top and sides and smooth with a butter knife or offset spatula.
- Top it off with lemon slices, mint leaves, blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, or lemon cookies. Or whatever your heart desires!
- Slice and enjoy!
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