Best 6 California Lemon Pound Cake Recipes

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Are you in search of a tangy and delightful treat that's sure to tantalize your taste buds? Look no further than the quintessential California Lemon Pound Cake! This classic dessert, with its moist and fluffy texture, bright citrus flavor, and alluring golden crust, has captured the hearts of cake enthusiasts worldwide. With countless variations and techniques out there, finding the perfect recipe can be overwhelming. Embark on a culinary journey as we explore the secrets to creating the ultimate California Lemon Pound Cake, unlocking the essence of this beloved dessert and leaving you with a taste of sunshine in every bite.

Here are our top 6 tried and tested recipes!

LEMON POUND CAKE



Lemon Pound Cake image

Provided by Food Network

Categories     dessert

Time 1h50m

Yield 8 to 10 servings

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened at room temperature
1 cup sugar, plus 1/3 cup
4 eggs
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1/4 cup lemon juice, plus 1/3 cup

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter a 6-cup loaf pan and line it with parchment or waxed paper. In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt.
  • In a mixer fitted with a whisk attachment (or using a hand mixer), cream the butter. Add 1 cup of the sugar and mix. With the mixer running at low speed, add the eggs one at a time. Add the vanilla.
  • Working in alternating batches, and mixing after each addition, add the dry ingredients and 1/4 cup of the lemon juice to the butter mixture. Mix until just smooth.
  • Pour into the prepared pan and bake until raised in the center and a tester inserted into the center comes out dry and almost clean (a few crumbs are OK), 65 to 75 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, make the glaze: In a small bowl, stir together the remaining 1/3 cup sugar and the remaining 1/3 cup lemon juice until the sugar is dissolved.
  • When the cake is done, let cool in the pan 15 minutes (it will still be warm). Run a knife around the sides of the pan. Set a wire rack on a sheet pan with sides (to catch the glaze) and turn the cake out onto the rack. Peel off the waxed paper.
  • Using a turkey baster or pastry brush, spread glaze all over the top and sides of the cake and let soak in. Repeat until the entire glaze is used up, including any glaze that has dripped through onto the sheet pan. Let cool at room temperature or, wrapped in plastic wrap, in the refrigerator (Well wrapped, the cake will last up to a week). Serve at room temperature, in thin slices.

CALIFORNIA LEMON POUND CAKE



California Lemon Pound Cake image

Citrus trees grow abundantly in California, and I'm always looking for new recipes which use the fruit from the orange and lemon trees in my yard. This is one of my favorites! My mother passed this recipe down to me. -Richard Killeaney, Spring Valley, California

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Desserts

Time 1h25m

Yield 16 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 15

1 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup shortening
3 cups sugar
5 large eggs
1 tablespoon grated lemon zest
1 tablespoon lemon extract
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 cup whole milk
FROSTING:
1/4 cup butter, softened
1-3/4 cups confectioners' sugar
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon grated lemon zest

Steps:

  • In a large bowl, cream the butter, shortening and sugar until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in lemon zest and extract. Combine the flour, salt and baking powder; gradually add to creamed mixture alternately with milk. Beat just until combined. , Pour into a greased 10-in. fluted tube pan. Bake at 350° for 70 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack to cool completely. , In a small bowl, combine the frosting ingredients; beat until smooth. Spread over top of cake.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 500 calories, Fat 23g fat (11g saturated fat), Cholesterol 107mg cholesterol, Sodium 333mg sodium, Carbohydrate 70g carbohydrate (50g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 5g protein.

LEMON CAKE



Lemon Cake image

Get Ina Garten's Lemon Cake recipe from Barefoot Contessa on Food Network. The lemon comes twofold: in the cake and in the glaze, which keeps everything moist.

Provided by Ina Garten

Categories     dessert

Time 1h30m

Yield 2 (8-inch) loaves

Number Of Ingredients 13

1/2 pound (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
2 1/2 cups granulated sugar, divided
4 extra-large eggs, at room temperature
1/3 cup grated lemon zest (6 to 8 large lemons)
3 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon kosher salt
3/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice, divided
3/4 cup buttermilk, at room temperature
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 cups confectioners' sugar, sifted
3 1/2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour 2 (8 1/2 by 4 1/4 by 2 1/2-inch) loaf pans. You may also line the bottom with parchment paper, if desired.
  • Cream the butter and 2 cups granulated sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. With the mixer on medium speed, add the eggs, 1 at a time, and the lemon zest.
  • Sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a bowl. In another bowl, combine 1/4 cup lemon juice, the buttermilk, and vanilla. Add the flour and buttermilk mixtures alternately to the batter, beginning and ending with the flour. Divide the batter evenly between the pans, smooth the tops, and bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour, until a cake tester comes out clean.
  • Combine 1/2 cup granulated sugar with 1/2 cup lemon juice in a small saucepan and cook over low heat until the sugar dissolves. When the cakes are done, allow to cool for 10 minutes. Remove the cakes from the pans and set them on a rack set over a tray or sheet pan; spoon the lemon syrup over them. Allow the cakes to cool completely.
  • For the glaze, combine the confectioners' sugar and the lemon juice in a bowl, mixing with a wire whisk until smooth. Pour over the tops of the cakes and allow the glaze to drizzle down the sides.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 400 calorie, Fat 13 grams, SaturatedFat 9 grams, Cholesterol 86 milligrams, Sodium 235 milligrams, Carbohydrate 66 grams, Fiber 1 grams, Protein 5 grams, Sugar 47 grams

LEMON POUND CAKE II



Lemon Pound Cake II image

A lemony pound cake with the added addition of lemon pudding for an extra moist taste sensation.

Provided by Roxanne39

Categories     Desserts     Cakes     Lemon Cake Recipes

Yield 12

Number Of Ingredients 5

1 (18.25 ounce) package lemon cake mix
1 (3 ounce) package instant lemon pudding mix
4 eggs
1 cup water
⅓ cup vegetable oil

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour one 10 inch bundt pan.
  • Combine cake mix, pudding mix, eggs, water, and oil in a large bowl. Beat at medium speed for 2 minutes. Pour into prepared pan.
  • Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 50 to 60 minutes. Let cake cool in pan for 10 minutes then remove from pan and let cool completely. Sprinkle with confectioner's sugar or frost with lemon frosting, if desired.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 290.1 calories, Carbohydrate 39.4 g, Cholesterol 73.1 mg, Fat 12.9 g, Fiber 0.3 g, Protein 4.7 g, SaturatedFat 3.1 g, Sodium 440.4 mg, Sugar 18.9 g

LEMON POUND CAKE



Lemon Pound Cake image

Who doesn't love moist lemon cake, especially when you add cream cheese to a boxed mix for extra richness?&emdash;Flora Valdez, San Bernadino, California

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Desserts

Time 50m

Yield 12 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 4

1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
3/4 cup fat-free milk
1 package lemon cake mix (regular size)
4 large eggs, room temperature

Steps:

  • In a large bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth; gradually beat in milk. Add dry cake mix and eggs; beat until combined. Beat on medium speed for 2 minutes. Pour into a greased and floured 10-in. fluted tube pan., Bake at 350° for 40-45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack to cool completely.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 231 calories, Fat 7g fat (3g saturated fat), Cholesterol 78mg cholesterol, Sodium 373mg sodium, Carbohydrate 37g carbohydrate, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 6g protein.

LEMON POUND CAKE



Lemon Pound Cake image

It is important (as with most cakes) to refrigerate overnight before serving. (A recipe I was honored to adopt; first posted by Mean Chef.)

Provided by carolinafan

Categories     Dessert

Time 1h

Yield 2 bundt cakes, 24 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 10

12 ounces unsalted butter, room temperature
3 cups granulated sugar
5 eggs
3 1/3 cups cake flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 tablespoon lemon zest
1 cup buttermilk, room temperature
1/4 cup lemon juice
powdered sugar
lemon juice

Steps:

  • Cream butter and sugar.
  • Add eggs one at a time mixing well after each addition.
  • Sift flour and baking powder together.
  • Mix buttermilk and lemon juice together.
  • Alternately add dry ingredients and wet ingredients to butter/sugar mixture.
  • Add lemon zest and mix until just smooth.
  • Spray and flour 2 small bundt pans.
  • Bake at 350.
  • cool, dismount, wrap in plastic and refrigerate overnight.
  • Ice with glaze before serving.
  • Note baking time will vary depending on size of pans.
  • Cake is done when a tester comes out clean.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 287, Fat 12.8, SaturatedFat 7.7, Cholesterol 69.6, Sodium 35.3, Carbohydrate 40.6, Fiber 0.4, Sugar 25.6, Protein 3.3

Tips:

  • Prepare all ingredients and equipment beforehand: Ensure all necessary ingredients are measured and ready, and that your baking pans and tools are clean and greased if required.
  • Use room temperature ingredients: This helps the ingredients blend smoothly and evenly, resulting in a better texture and flavor.
  • Cream the butter and sugar together thoroughly: This step incorporates air into the mixture, creating a light and fluffy cake.
  • Gradually add the eggs one at a time: This prevents the eggs from curdling and ensures they are evenly distributed.
  • Sift the dry ingredients together: This ensures they are evenly distributed and prevents lumps.
  • Fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients gradually: This helps prevent overmixing, which can result in a tough cake.
  • Bake the cake at the correct temperature and for the specified time: Overbaking can dry out the cake, while underbaking can leave it raw in the center.
  • Allow the cake to cool completely before glazing or frosting: This helps the cake set properly and prevents the glaze or frosting from melting.

Conclusion:

These California Lemon Pound Cake recipes offer a delightful blend of citrusy flavors and moist, tender texture. Whether you prefer a classic pound cake or a variation with a unique twist, these recipes provide a range of options to satisfy your sweet cravings. With careful attention to ingredients, techniques, and baking time, you can create a delicious and visually appealing cake that will impress your family and friends.

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