Lemon Yogurt Cake

Content… Why Use Yogurt Recipe Ingredients How to Make It Recipe Variations Tips & Notes Make-Ahead and Storage Instructions What to Serve More Mouthwatering Baked Goods to Try

Why Yogurt Cake Recipes Are Amazing

The acidity in buttermilk, sour cream, and yogurt activates baking soda for a lighter texture. Fat adds moisture and richness for a tender crumb. And the slight tanginess balances the sweetness perfectly. Buttermilk and yogurt are lower in fat than sour cream, but they’re all delicious.

Ingredient List

1. Dry Ingredients – All-purpose flour, baking powder, sugar, and a dash of salt provide structure and form the base of the cake.
2. Moist Ingredients – Yogurt and oil add flavor and moisture while eggs hold everything together. Vanilla extract lends a warm aroma that complements the lemon’s brightness. Feel free to replace the oil with melted butter or olive oil.
3. Lemon zest and juice give the cake its fresh, vibrant flavor. Sunshine in a pan! 😉
4. Lemon Glaze – Powdered sugar, lemon juice, and lemon zest add a punch of tart sweetness as you take a bite.

How to Make Lemon Yogurt Cake

• Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C); grease and flour loaf pan or a 9-inch springform pan.
• Cake Base – Whisk the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a medium mixing bowl. (Photo 1)
• Moist Ingredients – In a large bowl, combine the yogurt, vegetable oil, eggs, lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla extract. Whisk until well mixed. (Photo 2)
• Mix – Gradually mix the dry and wet ingredients until just combined. Please don’t overmix; a few lumps are fine. (Photos 3-5)
• Pour the batter into the prepped pan, smoothing the top with your spatula. (Photo 6)
• Bake for 35-40 minutes (a cake tester inserted into the center will come out clean).
• Cool your cake for about 10 minutes in the pan, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.
• Glaze – While the cake cools, beat the powdered sugar with lemon juice until smooth, adjusting the consistency with more lemon juice or powdered sugar as necessary.
• Serve – Once the cake cools completely, drizzle it with the glaze, letting it drip down the sides. Garnish with lemon zest if desired.

Recipe Variations

1. Yogurt swap. Greek yogurt works great, or you can sub it with sour cream for even more richness.
2. Lemon blueberry yogurt cake. Fold a cup of blueberries into the batter right before pouring it into the cake pan. Yum!
3. Citrus variations. Use orange or grapefruit instead of lemon for a delicious flavor twist.
4. Lemon berry yogurt cake. Add a cup of fresh raspberries, blackberries, or strawberries to the batter before baking.
5. Lemon poppyseed cake. Stir a couple of tablespoons of poppy seeds into the batter to enjoy this dynamic duo.
6. Muffins. To turn your lemon yogurt cake into muffins, fill the greased muffin wells two-thirds full and bake for approximately 25 minutes.

Tips and Tricks

1. Finely grate the lemon zest with a microplane to avoid large chunks. Always zest your fruit before squeezing it for the juice.
2. For a thicker glaze, add more powdered sugar. For a more pourable glaze, add an extra splash of lemon juice.
3. Slice the cake just before serving to help it stay moist and tender.
4. Let the cake completely cool before glazing it to maintain the glaze’s silky texture.
5. Avoid overmixing to keep the cake light and airy.

Make-Ahead and Storage Instructions

Lemon yogurt cake is ideal for making ahead. Properly stored, it lasts at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Serve it cold, at room temperature, or warm it gently in a toaster oven before serving.

You can freeze it (without glaze) for up to 3 months. Tightly wrap your cake in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil. Thaw it in the refrigerator before glazing and serving.

What to Serve With Lemon Yogurt Cake

For a comforting teatime treat, serve this lemon yogurt cake with an ice-cold glass of Southern sweet tea. A steaming hot cup of lemongrass tea is a wonderful treat on a chilly afternoon. Pile on homemade whipped cream and drizzle with rich and creamy caramel sauce.

More Mouthwatering Baked Goods to Try

1. Chocolate Cobbler
2. 7UP Biscuits
3. Easy Lemon Bars
4. Strawberry Bundt Cake
5. Apple Cinnamon Muffins