The BEST Lemon Cake Recipe

This Easy and luscious lemon cake is soft, fluffy melt in your mouth amazingness covered in a zingy lemon buttercream and lemon curd. I'm SO excited to share this recipe from my NEW BOOK Preppy Kitchen: Super Easy. You can preorder your copy using the links below! My book is chock full of quick and easy recipes spanning everything from breakfast to dinner and of course lots of dessert! All the recipes have variations swap outs, and instructions for convenient tools like air fryers, slow cookers, and instant pots. You can use the book again and again to make new things and customize your recipes and best of all everything is SUPER EASY and delicious! This recipe makes the most luscious lemon cake OR you can make easy delicious cupcakes.

ORDER MY NEW BOOK!

[sarahc]

I’ve had your book pre-ordered since February…can’t wait till to get it!!

[MellyTheeGemini]

1 cup of milk
2 lemons zest
3 eggs
1 spoon vanilla extract
2 lemons juice

2.5 cups flour
1.5 sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon spice
3/4 cup butter soft

2 8in cake pans
parchment paper
cake stand

Raspberry/strawberry jam or lemon curd

350 oven for 30 minutes

1 cup softened butter
1 spoon lemon zest
8 ounce cream cheese
5-7 cups powdered sugar
eyeball lemon juice
teaspoon any extract

[amyspeers]

I’m a huge baker and have been for years. I actually won a prize for my pound cake when I was a Girl Scout. I’m currently undergoing immunotherapy treatments for melanoma and just don’t have the energy for baking. I did chuckle at your description of your new cookbook. I already go back to your recipes time and time again as they are always delicious.

[HandledToaster]

Lemon is simply the best fruit in the world for any desert.

[christinabSF]

I made John's lemon curd a few days early then baked this cake tonight and it was so easy, light and delicious! My husband isn't a dessert lover in general and he really enjoyed this one. I wrote out the measurements to share, but definitely recommend watching the entire video as it's not the usual creaming butter/sugar approach, watching it thru makes it much easier. Feel like this will be a go-to spring/summer cake for any occasion. I can't wait for that darn book!

Lemon Cake
- Wet -
1 cup whole milk
2 Tbsp lemon zest
1/4 cup lemon juice
3 eggs
1 Tbsp vanilla

- Dry -
2 1/2 cups (300g) flour
1 1/2 cups (300g) sugar
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt

3/4 cup (170g) butter
Two 8” pans at 350* for 35-40 mins

Lemon Frosting
1 cup butter
1 cup cream cheese
1 lemon zest/juice
8 cups (840g) powdered sugar

[samanthabaines]

I love that you are humble enough to show your mistakes, thanks for a lovely recipe, love from the UK x

[kathleenguerin]

I love how real you are when demonstrating a recipe for us! It makes me feel more relaxed about making mistakes in my cooking adventures. 😊

[exek]

I really appreciate hearing the 'science' & 'why' reason

[anameforeveryone]

You spoke directly to my soul when you said there are people who watch for relaxation, that is definitely me. You are amazing at baking and I do wish to bake like you when I am ready to try 😊

[ddavielle]

i made this cake (and used your wonderful lemon curd recipe for the filling) this past father's day and my dad absolutely loved it. my family couldn't stop talking about how fresh and lemony this cake was, and how the frosting was absolutely to die for. you've done it again john, i fear i may be begged to continue making this cake for every occasion in the family!

[bezdek]

I was never successful at baking, but then I found The Preppy Kitchen! My family has never been happier. Thank you for all your tutorials!

[wmennisny]

My husband has already made this cake for me TWICE - it's possibly my all-time favorite cake, but we did a twist. He followed all the instructions to the letter BUT changed the ICING from lemon to vanilla buttercream. The lemon in the cake and with the curd is deliciously lemony, and pretty powerfully so, so I think vanilla buttercream is the perfect accent. Anyway, it came out picture perfect twice, it's a show stopping cake! Love it. My husband says it's the "reverse procedure" that makes the cake fool proof, and I think it has a great texture and flavor, it's dense but not heavy, if that makes sense.

[loripretti]

I Love Lemon Anything!!! I think the cake is Beautiful!!! I vote cake!!! God Bless Us All!!!

[ian-online]

aw i like the half dry ingredients -- half wet ingredients hack. sometimes my fatigue gets the best of me, but i really like baking, it's relaxing.
as a depressed person, thank you. calming video!

[moniquelawrence]

I made the cake! I'm very happy you mentioned to taste after cup 5 of powdered sygar for frosting, cup 5 was just enough. The cake and frosting is wonderful, tastes so light and fresh.

[yvetrimat]

You are an adorable human and your narration is so down-to-earth and easy to follow. My spouse, kids, and I are addicted to your channel and books. Please never change! ❤

[anncawthon]

Served your lemon cake at a party and it was a hit. Your new book arrived and my husband who in his eighties is learning to cook is finding it very helpful. I'm enjoying it too. Thank you.

[AmandaDarby]

I am 35 this August and you have made me more confident than I EVER have been in the kitchen; I’ve always been very intimidated.
Thank you for being so awesome! Love a Canadian Fan!

[kittyknox]

ive been gluten free for the past 3-4 years and I can say the BEST thing about GF baking is the fact that there is literally no such thing as over mixing 👌

[catgirlbot]

Thank you so much for admitting your mistake @preppykitchen ! It’s super helpful to know the chunks of butter should be added slowly.