Sour Cream Lemon Pound Cake Recipe – Light, moist, and citrusy, drizzled with a refreshingly delicious lemon glaze. A no-fail sweet treat for summer and all year round!
Pound cake is a Southern classic with lots of variations. You can top it with fresh berries, whipped cream, or a scoop of ice cream. And, depending on the flavor, homemade chocolate syrup.
However, this lemon sour cream pound cake doesn’t need anything. Trust me! It’s sooo moist and melt-in-your-mouth that every time I make it, I always take a minute or two to moan in delight. You’ll get some oohs and aahs for sure!
Content…Why Use Sour Cream |
Why Use Sour Cream in Lemon Pound Cake
The sour cream and lemon complement each other in this insanely rich and moist sour cream lemon pound cake. The deliciously sweet tang in your mouth is the perfect cure for even the most challenging sweet tooth. Take it to your next party and soak in all the praise. Because everybody needs a cake to brighten up their day once in a while, right?
So why is sour cream important in baking? This question gets asked often, so let me explain. Sour cream contains fat and acidity, which have a significant impact not only on the cake’s flavor but also on the texture. It delivers a moist and fluffy cake with a tender crumb.
Not only that, but the sour cream’s acidity also delays browning for an even golden color on the outside and a perfectly baked interior. What do you think of the cake’s look? Love the lovely bright golden color!
Ingredient List
- Butter makes everything better. The fat adds richness and flavor, while the small amount of dairy contributes to even browning.
- Sugar – Granulated sugar delivers sweetness and makes a moister cake.
- Sour Cream – Acidity, fat, and dairy all contribute to a moist texture, a good rise, and even browning.
- Eggs are a great binder because we’re not actually depending on gluten to hold it together. And extra fat never hurts.
- Dry Ingredients – All-purpose flour and baking powder are the base for this amazing pound cake. Feel free to replace them with the same measurement of gluten-free options. If you don’t have baking powder, replace it with ½ teaspoon baking soda. The acidity already in the batter will activate it just fine.
- Flavor – Fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, vanilla extract, and almond extract provide incredible taste and aroma.
- Lemon Glaze – Powdered sugar, another lemon, zested and juiced, almond extract, and butter create a mouthwatering glaze. Adjust consistency if needed with water. Of course, the glaze is optional but delicious.
How to Make Lemon Sour Cream Pound Cake
The Lemon Sour Cream Pound Cake
- Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C). Grease a 10-inch tube pan generously with cooking spray—set aside.
- Cream butter and sugar at high speed in a stand mixture until fluffy and looking white, about 5 minutes. (Photo 1)
- Add sour cream and mix for another minute. Stir in the eggs, a little at a time, beating the mixture well between each addition. (Photos 2-4)
- Dry Ingredients – Sift the flour and baking powder into the batter.
- Combine – Add lime zest and juice, vanilla extract, and almond extract. Stir well until everything is fully combined. Scrape down the sides of the mixing bowl. (Photo 5)
- Bake – Pour the cake batter into the greased cake pan. Tap the cake pan on the work surface to eliminate large air bubbles. Bake at 325℉ (162℃) until a tester inserted into the center comes out clean, 55–60 minutes. (Photos 6-7)
- Cool for 10 minutes in the pan. Then, transfer your pound cake to a wire rack and let it cool completely before glazing. (Photo 8)
The Lemon Glaze
- Combine confectioners’ sugar, lemon juice and zest, almond extract, and melted butter in a bowl.
- Whisk gently until the mixture is smooth. Adjust the glaze’s consistency as desired with water. It should be thick but pourable.
- Serve – Drizzle the glaze over the top of the cake with a spoon, letting it run down the sides.
Recipe Notes
- Thoroughly oil your bundt pan. Also, let the pound cake cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, but try not to leave it too long because it might get sticky.
- Bring your ingredients to room temperature before starting for a better texture.
- Add more glaze if your cake didn’t come out as pretty as you’d like. 😉
- To turn your bundt cake into loaves, divide the batter (10-12 cups) between two 8″x4″ loaf pans.
Make Ahead and Storage Instructions
Any pound cake, especially lemon sour cream, is the perfect make-ahead dessert. It lasts 2-3 days at room temperature, up to a week in the fridge, and 3-4 months in the freezer. I love freezing individually wrapped slices for the unexpected guest. Thaw it gently in the microwave while the coffee brews, and you’re good to go.
What to Serve With Lemon Sour Cream Pound Cake
Whether pairing it with a cup of coffee or lemongrass tea, this lemon sour cream pound cake is even better with homemade whipped cream. Of course, pineapple ice cream is also fabulous with lemon cake.
More Decadent Pound Cake Recipes to Try
- Sweet Potato Pound Cake
- Lemon Blueberry Pound Cake
- Peach Cobbler Pound Cake
- Buttermilk Pound Cake
- Strawberry Pound Cake
Watch How to Make It
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This blog post was originally published in July 2017 and has been updated with additional tips, new photos, and a video
Jenean graham says
I love this recipe, I was looking to make a cake where I have all the ingredients and this was it. I followed the instructions as is, it came out perfectly. Thank you imma.
Clara. A. Smiley says
I really love this recipe so much so moist I could cook it everyday.
Many thanks.
Mbole says
I followed the recipe and notes and folks now think I’m an expert baker. Thanks Imma. My family, friends, neighbors and Co workers all loved this cake.
ImmaculateBites says
Wow! Nice! You are welcome Mbole! ๐
Janet B. says
I used spray oil in my Bundt pan. The cake released with no effort at all.
Immaculate Bites says
Thanks for sharing, Janet!
Janet B. says
I thought this recipe was simple to make! The batter was rich like pound cake should be and the lemon flavor was just right. Thank you for the helpful hints and the video.
Immaculate Bites says
Thanks so much, Janet!
Tammi B says
Good recipe but needs salt to balance the flavors.
Immaculate Bites says
Thank you for your feedback, Tammi! ๐
Immaculate Bites says
Hi Maria! Thanks again for this. Measurements can be adjusted depending on preference. I have some readers who commented that they either reduced the sugar or substituted or changed the temp and baking time, etc. ๐
Immaculate Bites says
Thank you for your comment, Maria, and I’m sorry it didn’t turn out as expected.
ImmaculateBites says
Sorry I can’t say for sure without actually being there , especially since you sprayed the pan thoroughly.
Elizabeth says
I made this recipe yesterday, & it just turned out just Lovely!
Although I did make a couple adjustments.
Instead of almond extract, I added my
Own Homemade Vanilla extract.
I also added 1- more egg, as I have
Free range Chickens on my Farm , with
Plenty of extra eggs.
The Cake turned out Golden Brown, was light and Airy, and absolutely
Moist!
This cake was wonderful!
My Best Critic, is my Mother of 82 years, who I
Baked the Cake Special For & she just
Loved it !
This is one of the Best Cakes Iโve had in
A many a Day!
Thank-You For making my Mother Happy!
ImmaculateBites says
My pleasure ! This just made my day. Thanks so much!
Kristine says
Can I bake this in two loaf pans? I don’t have much success with bundt cakes coming out of the pan well.
ImmaculateBites says
You sure can.Enjoy!
Pat says
This recipe has more sugar in it than I would like. Is it possible to substitute part or all with Stevia?
ImmaculateBites says
Hello ! Start by substituting half with stevia.
KATHERINE says
So far so good, but you mention to add lime juice, not lemon.
ImmaculateBites says
Oops! It’s lemon juice.
Delia selegria says
I love the recipe but I did not try yet. Iโll bake it for my friend this Saturday for Halloween sure sheโll love it. Thank you for your recipeo
Imma Adamu says
Wow, I’m so excited to know that! Happy cooking
Debrah says
For the glaze you say to put it in a small pan. You never mention heating this on the stove. Please clarify. And thanks so much!!!
imma africanbites says
Hi, Debrah. No need to heat up the glaze on the stove. I just used a small pan since it’s easier to whisk everything in it.