Lemon Syrup Cake Recipe

posted by Ashton • Keaton • Mia March 1, 2022

This Lemon Syrup Cake is dense like a pound cake, and soaked in a lemon syrup that keeps it moist and flavorful. The sweet glaze perfectly compliments the tartness of the lemon syrup. It’s a delicious choice for brunch or for a springtime dessert when entertaining.

Lemon Syrup Cake Recipe

Main Ingredients & Supplies

▢ all purpose flour

▢ Dixie Crystals Extra Fine Granulated Sugar

▢ eggs, room temperature

▢ buttermilk, room temperature

▢ baking powder

▢ lemon juice

▢ Dixie Crystals Confectioners Icing Sugar

▢ grated lemon zest

Lemon Zester

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KitchenAid Cordless Hand Mixer

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What Does Simple Syrup do for Cake?

I used to think there was some magical method to baking a cake that would make it ultra moist and amazing. And while it’s true that there are some things that can be done in the making and baking process to keep the crumb tender and the cake moist, the most ultimate trick in the book to an amazing cake has nothing to do with the batter or the baking.

The secret to an incredibly moist and flavorful cake that surpasses any other cake you’ve ever eaten is adding simple syrup after the cake is baked.

It’s important to make sure the simple syrup has a way to get inside the cake. One way you can do this is by using a cake leveler to slice layers and drizzle the simple syrup over the the slices.

But in this recipe, all you have to do is poke holes all over the top of the cake with a fork, and then pour the syrup over the holes. As it sits, the cake will absorb the syrup and the extra lemony flavor.

How do You Add Lemon Flavor to a Cake?

Lemon cakes are the best! But adding that sunshine-y lemon flavor can be tricky. Simply adding lemon juice will often leave you with lackluster flavor. But reaching for lemon extract isn’t always the right move either. The wrong amount will make your food taste like a lemon drop candy instead of actual lemons.

This recipe uses three different methods to incorporate a natural, bright lemon flavor in every bite.

➊ The simple syrup (which we already talked about) is made with lemon juice. It seeps into every bit of the cake making it super moist and lemony.

➋ Lemon zest is in the batter and in the glaze. The oils in the zest are potent and lend a strong flavor.

➌ The lemon glaze on top is made with zest and lemon juice, so it packs a double punch. Be sure to let the cake cool completely before adding the glaze!