Lemon Cake with Lemon Glaze

Lighter than a traditional pound cake, this Glazed Lemon Cake is tender with a bright sweet flavor and the lemon glaze adds the perfect touch–the literal icing on top.

Glazed Lemon Cake

This cake recipe comes from my friend Christi’s new cookbook, The My Little Pony Baking Book. I loved this book from the moment I first opened it. Then I tried this lemon cake recipe and fell in love even more.

The My Little Pony Baking Book is a truly awesome dessert cookbook, whether or not you’re a My Little Pony Fan. Anyone who loves a great-tasting dessert should have this baking book on their shelf.

It has recipes suited for experienced cooks and new bakers alike. These are some of the best dessert recipes you’ll ever make.

Cake with Lemon Glaze

I’m a big fan of lemon desserts and enjoy making them often. Everything from Lemon Bars to Lemon Coffee Cake has had its moment in the spotlight in my kitchen.

This simple loaf cake with lemon glaze turned out moist, light and tender with plenty of bright lemon flavor. And nothing could be easier or tastier than the simple lemon glaze recipe that goes on top of the finished cake.

Lemon Glaze for Cake

Almost everyone enjoys a creamy, thick topping of buttercream frosting from time to time but some cakes call for a lighter more delicate glaze.

Glaze icings work well on quick breads and loaf cakes, like this Zucchini Snack Cake with Orange Glaze I shared a while back.

The lemon glaze on this cake is one of the easiest kinds of icing you can possibly make. A simple combination of powdered sugar and fresh lemon juice is all it takes to add the ideal finishing touch to your delicious cake.

Lemon Loaf Cake

Loaf cakes are the perfect balance between quick bread, breakfast pastries, and cake. Sweet and decadent enough to serve for dessert, you can also serve slices of this cake for breakfast alongside a hot cup of coffee.

This glazed lemon cake recipe uses sour cream for moisture (similar to this Summer Peach Pound Cake and this Banana Bundt Cake) along with plenty of finely minced fresh lemon zest for a zesty citrusy flavor everyone will go wild for.

If you’re like me and not an expert cake decorator by any definition of the word, loaf cakes like this one are also among the easiest to make look nice. The batter goes into a loaf pan so there’s no layering or shaping to mess with.

A drizzle of glaze on top makes the finished lemon cake looks pleasing and pretty without any effort at all.

Pick up a copy of The My Little Pony Baking Book right now for each baker, My Little Pony lover, or dessert lover in your life.

This is the Christmas gift my nieces will be receiving this year and I can’t wait to see their faces when they unwrap the book!

Cake with Lemon Glaze

1. Preheat the oven to 325°F. Grease an 8×4 inch loaf pan with butter or nonstick cooking spray.
2. In a large bowl, combine the butter and sugar. Beat with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add the eggs and beat well, scraping the sides of the bowl as needed. Add lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla extract. Beat again to combine.
3. In a separate bowl, combine the flour, salt, baking soda, and baking powder. Add half the flour mixture to the butter mixture and beat to combine. Add the sour cream and beat again. Add the remaining flour mixture and beat once more.
4. Scoop the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Bake for 55-60 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
5. Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then gently run a knife along the sides of the pan to help loosen the loaf from the pan. Turn the loaf out onto a cooling rack and cool completely.
6. Prepare the glaze by mixing together the powdered sugar and lemon juice. If a thinner glaze is desired, additional lemon juice can be added 1 teaspoon at a time.
7. Place the cooking rack with the loaf on it over a sheet pan or large cutting board. Gently pour glaze over the loaf. Allow to cool and set completely before slicing and serving.

Did you like this recipe? You might also enjoy my Blueberry Coconut Banana Bread, Blueberry Lemon Baked French Toast, and this Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread.

{originally published 4/30/19 – recipe notes and photos updated 5/19/22}