Lemon Pound Cake

Name: Lemon Pound Cake
Cook time: 1 h
Yield: 8
Ingredients: 2 stickbutterAmount2 stickIngredientbutter, room temperature, room temperature; 4eggsAmount4Ingredienteggs, room temperature, room temperature; 2 tspvanilla extractAmount2 tspIngredientvanilla extract; ½ cuplemon juiceAmount½ cupIngredientlemon juice, 1 lemon zested and juiced, 1 lemon zested and juiced; 2 cupflourAmount2 cupIngredientflour; 1 tspbaking powderAmount1 tspIngredientbaking powder; ¼ tspsaltAmount¼ tspIngredientsalt; ½ cuppowdered sugarAmount½ cupIngredientpowdered sugar; ¾ tspwaterAmount¾ tspIngredientwater

SERVINGS 8
COOK 1 hour
AUTHOR Drew Maresco

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Category Baking Recipes

Ingredients

2 stickbutter, room temperature
4eggs, room temperature
2 tspvanilla extract
½ cuplemon juice, 1 lemon zested and juiced
2 cupflour
1 tspbaking powder
¼ tspsalt
½ cuppowdered sugar
¾ tspwater

More to Know

This lemon pound cake is all about a soft, buttery crumb and a bright citrus finish. It’s simple on purpose: the cake itself leans rich and tender, then the lemon icing adds the sharp, sweet top note that keeps each slice from feeling heavy. If you want a dessert that feels classic, low-drama, and worth making with grocery-store ingredients, this one fits.

What makes the texture work

Pound cake gets its signature texture from beating the butter and sugar well at the start. That step helps build a light, plush base instead of a dense loaf. The eggs add structure, while the flour is mixed in just until combined so the cake stays tender. If you overmix once the flour goes in, the loaf can turn tight instead of soft.

The lemon juice and zest pull double duty here: the juice brings brightness into the batter, and the zest gives the icing a fresher, more fragrant lemon flavor. Together, they keep the cake tasting clean and lively rather than overly sweet.

How to know when it’s done

This is a loaf cake, so the center needs a little time to set fully. The best doneness cue is a toothpick inserted into the middle coming out clean. If the top is browning too quickly before the center is baked through, tent it loosely with foil for the last stretch of baking. That keeps the outside from getting too dark while the inside finishes evenly.

After baking, let the cake cool in the pan for a short time before turning it out. That pause helps the loaf hold together. Then let it cool completely before adding the icing, or the glaze will slide right off instead of setting in a neat drizzle.

Easy ways to make it your own

For a stronger lemon finish, add a little extra zest to the icing.
Want a sweeter dessert? Use a heavier drizzle instead of a thin glaze.
Prefer a softer citrus note? Keep the icing light and let the buttered cake be the focus.
You can serve it plain if you want a less-sweet slice, though the icing gives it that classic bakery-style finish.

This recipe also works well as a make-ahead dessert for a small gathering. It slices cleanly once fully cooled, which makes it easy to pack up, plate, or save for later.

Serving ideas that keep it simple

Lemon pound cake is good on its own, but it also plays nicely with fresh berries, a spoonful of whipped cream, or a cup of coffee or tea. If you’re serving it after dinner, a few sliced strawberries or raspberries on the side make the whole plate feel brighter without much effort.

For brunch, it works well as part of a spread with fruit, yogurt, and other easy bakes. For dessert, keep it unfussy and let the lemon flavor do the work.

Storage and make-ahead notes

Once the icing has set, store the cake covered so it stays soft. If you’re making it ahead, it’s smart to let the cake cool completely, glaze it, and then keep it wrapped or in an airtight container. The flavor settles nicely after a little time, and the loaf stays easy to slice.

If you want to save a few slices for later, wrap them individually so they’re ready to grab one at a time. That’s especially useful if you’re baking for one or two and don’t want the whole loaf sitting out.

Common mistakes to avoid

Don’t rush the butter-and-sugar step. It helps set up the cake’s texture.
Don’t overmix after adding the flour, or the loaf may bake up dense.
Don’t glaze the cake while it’s still warm, or the icing won’t stay put.
Don’t pull it from the oven too early; the center should be fully baked before it comes out.

If you like dependable desserts that feel cozy but still fresh, this lemon pound cake is a strong one to keep in your rotation. Save it for later, and if you want more easy bakes like this, explore more BestRecipes dessert ideas when you’re ready for your next one.

If you enjoy tender baked treats with tea or coffee, you might also like these scones.

If you like rich, tender cakes, you may also enjoy this gooey cake recipe for a different style of indulgent dessert.

If you enjoy tender baked treats with tea or coffee, you might also like these scones or these Hidden Poison Cookies for another sweet bake.

If you want another cozy baked dessert with a fruit-forward flavor, you might also like Apple Brown Betty.

If you enjoy tender baked treats with tea or coffee, you might also like these scones or a chilled fruit dessert like Very Berry Chia Pops for a brighter finish.

If you enjoy tender baked treats with tea or coffee, you might also like these scones.

If you like the format of this loaf cake, you might also enjoy Coconut Pound Cake for another buttery, sliceable dessert.

If you like another loaf cake with a bright citrus finish, you might also enjoy Lemon Glazed Zucchini Bread.

For a savory contrast to this sweet loaf, you could also make Halloween Cheese Crackers.

If you’re in the mood for another cozy breakfast-style bake, you might also enjoy apple cinnamon rolls with maple glaze.

If you want another simple dessert with fruit on the side, you might also like Strawberry Shortcake.

If you want another lemon-forward treat, you might also like these lemon cookies.

If you like tender, sliceable cakes with a homemade feel, you may also enjoy Zucchini Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting for another soft, cozy dessert.

More Context

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About the Author

Drew Maresco

Drew Maresco is the founder of bestrecipes.co and a passionate home cook who began his culinary journey as a child, helping his grandma in the kitchen. Over the years, Drew has written hundreds of recipes, always focusing on creating quick, easy, and delicious dishes that use familiar ingredients in innovative ways. He is also a published cookbook author. When he's not cooking, Drew enjoys spending time in his garden, nurturing his hobbyist love for gardening.

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