Lemon Glazed Pound Cake

Lemon Glazed Pound Cake is a moist, tender loaf bursting with zesty lemon flavor, topped with a sweet citrus glaze and dusted with powdered sugar—for a timeless treat that’s perfect any time of day.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This pound cake is wonderfully simple yet elegant—rich, dense, and bright with the tang of lemon. It’s great for breakfast, tea time, or dessert, and the lemon glaze adds a shiny, flavorful finishing touch that enhances every slice.

Ingredients

(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)

• All‑purpose flour

• Granulated sugar

• Unsalted butter (softened)

• Eggs

• Sour cream or plain yogurt

• Fresh lemon juice and zest

• Baking powder

• Salt

• Glaze: powdered sugar and fresh lemon juice

• Powdered sugar for dusting (optional)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 °F (175 °C). Grease and flour a 9×5-inch loaf pan or line with parchment.

2. In a bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy—about 3–4 minutes.

3. Beat in eggs one at a time, mixing well after each, then stir in lemon zest and juice.

4. Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl.

5. Alternately add dry ingredients and sour cream (or yogurt) to the butter mixture, beginning and ending with dry, mixing until just combined.

6. Scrape the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top.

7. Bake for 50–60 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs. If the top browns too quickly, loosely cover with foil during the last 10–15 minutes.

8. Cool in pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.

For the glaze:
9. Whisk powdered sugar with lemon juice until thick but pourable.
10. Drizzle over the warm cake, letting it drip down the sides.
11. Allow glaze to set, then dust with powdered sugar if desired before serving.

Servings and timing

• Yield: 10–12 slices

• Prep time: 15 minutes

• Bake time: 50–60 minutes

• Glazing time: 5 minutes

• Cooling time: 10 minutes in pan + 20 minutes on rack

• Total time: Approximately 1½ hours

Variations

• Lavender-infused glaze: Infuse lemon juice with culinary lavender, strain, and mix into glaze.

• Blueberry swirl: Fold fresh or frozen blueberries into the batter before baking.

• Gluten-free: Replace flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend.

• Poppy seed version: Add 1 ½ tsp poppy seeds to the batter for extra texture.

Storage/Reheating

• Storage: Store wrapped or covered at room temperature for up to 3 days.

• Freezing: Wrap tightly in plastic and foil, then freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw on the counter or in the refrigerator.

• Reheating: Warm individual slices in the microwave for 10 seconds or briefly in a 300 °F oven to refresh.

FAQs

Can I use bottled lemon juice instead of fresh?

Fresh juice delivers the best flavor, but bottled works in a pinch. Adjust sugar if juice is less tart.

Why is my cake dry?

Overbaking is the most common cause—check for doneness early and monitor closely.

Do I need sour cream?

Sour cream (or yogurt) keeps the loaf moist and tender. You can substitute with Greek yogurt.

How do I get a shiny glaze?

Use a little less juice for a thicker glaze. Allow it to cool and drip naturally for shine.

Can I make muffins instead of a loaf?

Yes—divide batter into muffin cups and bake for 18–22 minutes, or until a tester comes out clean.

Can I omit the glaze?

Yes—the cake is still moist and flavorful on its own. You can also dust it with powdered sugar.

How do I prevent the cake from sticking?

Use parchment paper or grease and dust the pan well.

Is this cake good for a crowd?

Absolutely—it can be doubled and made in a 9×13 pan. Bake time may increase to around 70 minutes.

Can I add lemon zest to the glaze?

Yes—a teaspoon of zest gives a lovely textural and flavor boost.

Can I use vegetable oil instead of butter?

Butter gives better flavor and texture, but oil can be used for a slightly moister, denser loaf.

Conclusion

Lemon Glazed Pound Cake is a timeless classic—simple, bright, and delicious. With a tender crumb and tangy lemon glaze, it’s perfect for almost any occasion, from casual afternoons to festive gatherings.

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