Best Vanilla Cake With Lemon Icing Recipe

Vanilla cake lemon icing recipe is a classic bakery style dessert made using flour, eggs, sugar, milk, oil, vanilla, and fresh lemon icing.

My Baking Addiction inspired this bake after repeated home testing. This vanilla cake with lemon icing recipe tastes rich and level delicious.

I made this vanilla cake with lemon icing recipe to create a dependable homemade cake. I have baked this vanilla cake lemon icing recipe many times and trust it.

I adjusted vanilla and lemon levels slightly. I now show step by step how to prepare this vanilla cake with lemon icing recipe for home baking fans.

About This Vanilla Cake With Lemon Icing Recipe

This vanilla cake offers a soft crumb that feels light yet rich. Sweet vanilla notes lead first, followed by gentle dairy warmth from milk and eggs. The cake stays moist and tender, never dry.

Lemon icing adds bright citrus flavor that cuts through sweetness and brings balance. Butter in the icing gives a creamy finish, while lemon juice keeps it fresh.

Sugar melts smoothly on the tongue, leaving a clean aftertaste that invites another slice served slightly warm or chilled later tastes equally pleasant and feels comforting and memorable always.

How To Prepare Vanilla Cake With Lemon Icing Recipe

Preparation Time: 15 minutes

Cooking Time: 40 minutes

Total Time: 55minutes

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Yield: 8 servings

Kitchen Utensils

• Mixing bowls (large and medium)
• Whisk
• Electric mixer or sturdy spatula
• Measuring cups and kitchen scale
• Fine sieve
• 9-inch (23 cm) round cake pan
• Cooling rack
• Offset spatula or spoon

Ingredients

For the Vanilla Cake

• Cooking spray, for greasing
• 290 g all-purpose flour
• 300 g white sugar
• 10 g baking powder
• 3 large eggs (about 165 g without shells)
• 180 ml whole milk (≈ 185 g)
• 165 ml vegetable oil (≈ 150 g)
• 1 g salt
• 13 g vanilla extract

For the Lemon Icing

• 113 g unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 30 g fresh lemon juice
• 3 g vanilla extract
• 360 g confectioners’ sugar

How To Make Vanilla Cake With Lemon Icing Recipe

1. Get the oven and pan ready

Preheat your oven to 180°C. Lightly spray your cake pan with cooking spray, then dust it with a little flour. Tap out any extra so the pan is evenly coated.

2. Mix the dry ingredients

In a large bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt. This step helps prevent lumps and keeps the cake light.

3. Prepare the wet ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs and sugar until the mixture looks pale and slightly thick. Gradually whisk in the oil, milk, and vanilla until everything is smooth.

4. Make the batter

Add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture in two parts. Gently mix just until combined. Don’t over mix the batter should be smooth and easy to pour.

5. Bake the cake

Pour the batter into the prepared pan and level the top. Bake for 35–40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

6. Cool the cake and make the icing

Let the cake cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, and then move it to a cooling rack. For the icing, beat the butter until creamy, and then mix in the lemon juice, vanilla, and confectioners’ sugar until smooth and spreadable.

7. Ice and serve

Once the cake is completely cool, spread the lemon icing evenly over the top. Slice and enjoy.

Nutrition Facts Of Vanilla Cake With Lemon Icing Recipe

Nutrition	Amounts
Calories	420
Carbohydrates	55g
Protein	5g
Fat	20g
Saturated Fat	7g
Sugar	40g
Sodium	160mg

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

You’ll love this vanilla cake with lemon icing recipe because it delivers a soft, tender cake that stays moist and flavorful every time.

The bright, tangy lemon icing adds a refreshing twist to classic vanilla, making each slice feel lively and light. The recipe uses simple, everyday ingredients, yet creates a bakery-style dessert that impresses friends and family.

It allows small adjustments, like tweaking lemon or sugar levels, so the flavor suits your taste. The process is enjoyable, and the results are consistently delicious and visually appealing.

How It Works

This vanilla cake with lemon icing recipe works by combining simple ingredients to create a light, tender cake base and a bright, flavorful icing.

The eggs, sugar, and oil are mixed first to form a smooth, airy batter, while the flour and baking powder provide structure.

Baking at the right temperature allows the cake to rise evenly and stay moist. The lemon icing is whipped until creamy, balancing sweetness with a fresh, tangy flavor.

Once the vanilla cake with lemon icing recipe is fully cooled, spreading the icing ensures it adheres smoothly, creating a soft, flavorful dessert that holds its shape and taste.

Serving Ideas

This vanilla cake with lemon icing recipe can be served on its own for a simple treat or paired with fresh berries for added color and brightness.

A dollop of whipped cream complements the light texture and citrus flavor. It can also be cut into small squares for tea time, served alongside a cup of coffee, or plated with a drizzle of melted chocolate for extra indulgence.

For celebrations, adding edible flowers or a sprinkle of finely grated lemon zest on top enhances presentation and flavor, making each slice look as delightful as it tastes.

Professional Baking Tips

1. Eggs, milk, and butter should be at room temperature so they blend smoothly; creating a batter that rises evenly and produces a tender, soft crumb.

2. Weighing flour, sugar, and other dry ingredients ensures consistent texture and prevents the cake from becoming too dense or too dry.

3. Sifting flour, baking powder, and salt incorporates air, removes lumps, and results in a lighter, more even cake structure.

4. Fold and mix until ingredients just come together. Over mixing develops gluten and can make the cake tough rather than soft.

5. Use an oven thermometer to confirm the correct heat, helping the cake rise evenly without cracking or undercooking in the center.

6. Allow the cake to cool completely on a wire rack. Spreading lemon icing on a warm cake can cause melting or sliding, affecting texture and appearance.

Health Benefits

This vanilla cake with lemon icing recipe offers some mild health benefits when enjoyed in moderation. Eggs and milk provide protein and calcium, supporting muscle and bone health.

The lemon juice in the icing contributes vitamin C, which helps support the immune system and adds a fresh, natural flavor without adding artificial ingredients.

Using butter in moderation gives a source of healthy fats, and making the cake at home allows control over sugar and ingredient quality. Sharing slices with family and friends can also promote social well-being and enjoyment.

Additions

➤ Fresh Berries – Adding blueberries, raspberries, or sliced strawberries on top or inside the cake introduces natural sweetness and a light tartness. They also add vibrant color, making the cake look more appealing and refreshing.

➤ Chopped Nuts – Almonds, pistachios, or walnuts bring a crunchy texture that contrasts the soft cake. Toasting the nuts lightly enhances their flavor and adds a subtle depth to each bite.

➤ Lemon Zest – Finely grated lemon zest added to the batter or icing intensifies the citrus flavor and adds a fragrant aroma that brightens the cake’s overall taste.

➤ Coconut Flakes – Lightly toasted coconut flakes sprinkled on top or folded into the batter give a mild tropical note and extra texture, balancing the sweetness of the cake and icing.

➤ Vanilla Bean Paste – Replacing vanilla extract with vanilla bean paste adds a richer, deeper vanilla flavor. The tiny specks from the paste also create a visually appealing, professional look throughout the cake.

Storage

Store this vanilla cake with lemon icing recipe in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days to keep it soft and moist.

For longer storage, refrigerate the cake for up to 5 days, making sure it is tightly covered to prevent the icing from drying out.

The vanilla cake with lemon icing recipe can also be frozen for up to 2 months; wrap it in plastic wrap and then foil to maintain freshness.

Closing

This delicious vanilla cake with lemon icing recipe turned out beautifully, and my guests and family loved every slice. The soft, moist cake paired with the bright, tangy lemon icing created a dessert that felt both comforting and special.

I am very happy with this easy success in the kitchen, seeing smiles and hearing compliments made all the effort worthwhile.

I hope to bake it again soon, experimenting with small variations, and continue sharing this recipe that brings joy, flavor, and a touch of homemade sweetness to everyone who tries it.

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