Lemon drizzle cake is a tangy classic that I personally prefer as zesty as possible and is why I also include lemon juice in the sponge as well as the icing whereas most recipes add the citrus to the topping.
We made this cake for Mother’s Day this year and while you can have a more transparent icing (hence the name drizzle) added when the cake is warm, my children prefer the thicker icing you can see here dripped over the cake once it’s cooled (it also photographs better to be honest).
I’ve included how to create both toppings however below so you can choose which you prefer for your lemon drizzle cake.
Ingredients:
- 225g unsalted butter, softened
- 225g caster sugar
- 4 eggs
- 1 lemon for the juice and zesting
- 225g self raising flour
Icing ingredients (added once the cake is cooled):
- 1½ lemons, washed and juiced
- 3 tbsp water
- 250 icing sugar
Drizzle topping (added once the cake is warm):
- 1½ lemons, washed and juiced
- 85g caster sugar
Method:
Preheat the oven to 180°C.
In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter and sugar together or add to an electric mixer and pulse. Add in the egg and beat. Next, add the juice of one lemon and the self raising flour (I like to add mine via a seive) and stir until smooth.
Pour into a greased 8 x 21cm tin and bake for 40 minutes. I like to check mine around the 30 minute mark. Add a skewer as a test and if it comes out clean, your cake is ready. If you are opting for the drizzle topping, while it is baking, mixing the lemon juice and caster sugar until the sugar has dissolved and pour over the cake as soon as it comes out of the oven. You can grate lemon rind over it too for decoration.
If you are opting for the icing topping you see here, mix the lemon juice with the water and icing until it thickens a little. Once the cake is cooled, carefully drip it over ensuring it is smooth on top. Add the grated lemon rind for decor.
Enjoy!
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