How to zest a lemon for a cake?

Use a microplane grater and only scrape the yellow part of the lemon's skin. Avoid the white pith underneath—it’s bitter. Grate directly over the mixing bowl to capture every bit of the citrus oil.

What is a secret ingredient for cake?

The secret ingredient in many cakes is sour cream or yogurt . While not in our main recipe, a spoonful can add richness and tang. In lemon cakes, lemon zest is the ultimate flavor booster.

Can I bake cake without an egg?

Yes! You can substitute eggs with applesauce, mashed bananas, yogurt, or chia seed gel. Each gives a slightly different texture, but all keep the cake moist and delicious.

What's the most important ingredient in cake?

It depends on the cake, but for lemon cakes, it’s definitely lemon zest . It infuses the batter with bright, fragrant oils that artificial extracts can’t match.

Zesty Lemon Cake Recipe – The Best Moist & Fluffy Cake You’ll Love

Ingredients

Scale

1 cup white sugar
½ cup butter
2 large eggs
2 tsp vanilla extract
1½ cups all-purpose flour
1¾ tsp baking powder
¾ cup milk
1 tbsp lemon zest
1 tbsp lemon juice

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Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9-inch pan.
Cream butter and sugar. Add eggs and vanilla.
Combine dry ingredients separately.
Mix wet and dry, then add milk, zest, and juice.
Pour into pan and bake for 35 minutes.
Cool, slice, and enjoy.

Author: Lily
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Category: Baking

Nutrition

Serving Size: per slice
Calories: 254
Fat: 11g
Carbohydrates: 36g
Protein: 4g