Lemon Birthday Cake (Printable)

Bright lemon layer cake with creamy tangy frosting, perfect for celebrations

# What You'll Need:

→ Lemon Cake Components

01 - 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 2 1/2 tsp baking powder
03 - 1/2 tsp baking soda
04 - 1/2 tsp salt
05 - 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
06 - 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
07 - 4 large eggs, room temperature
08 - 2 tbsp fresh lemon zest
09 - 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
10 - 1 cup whole milk, room temperature
11 - 1 tsp vanilla extract

→ Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting

12 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
13 - 8 oz cream cheese, room temperature
14 - 4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
15 - 2 tbsp lemon juice
16 - 1 tsp lemon zest
17 - 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
18 - Pinch of salt

→ Optional Garnishes

19 - Fresh lemon slices
20 - Edible flowers
21 - Sprinkles

# How to Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease two 9-inch round cake pans and line bottoms with parchment paper.
02 - Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl. Set aside.
03 - Beat butter and sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, approximately 3-4 minutes.
04 - Add eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition. Blend in lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla extract.
05 - On low speed, alternate adding flour mixture and milk to butter mixture, starting and ending with flour. Mix until just combined.
06 - Divide batter evenly between prepared pans. Bake for 28-32 minutes until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
07 - Let cakes cool in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
08 - Beat butter and cream cheese until smooth. Add powdered sugar, lemon juice, lemon zest, vanilla, and salt. Beat until fluffy.
09 - Place one cake layer on serving plate. Spread with frosting. Add second layer and frost top and sides. Decorate as desired.
10 - Refrigerate assembled cake for 30 minutes for cleaner cuts. Serve at room temperature.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The brightness of fresh lemon makes every birthday feel like spring, no matter the season
  • This cake taught me that mistakes in the kitchen often lead to the best stories
02 -
  • Room temperature ingredients make the difference between a dense cake and one that practically floats
  • Grating lemon zest directly into the sugar releases essential oils that infuse the entire batter
03 -
  • Zest your lemons before juicing them, its much harder to zest a squeezed lemon
  • If your cake domes in the middle, use a serrated knife to level it before frosting

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