Food and Recipes Desserts Cakes Lemon Cake Recipes That Require a Second Slice By Southern Living Editors Southern Living Editors Since 1966, the editors of Southern Living have been carrying out the mission of the brand: to bring enjoyment, fulfillment, and inspiration to our readers by celebrating life in the South. We inspire creativity in their homes, their kitchens, their gardens, and their personal style. We are a friend they can trust, a guide to the seasons, a helping hand during the holidays, and a relentless champion of the Southern way of life. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Updated on January 12, 2022 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Photo: Photography: Caitlin Bensel, Food Styling: Margaret Dickey, Prop Styling: Kay E Clarke There's something about a bright, citrusy lemon cake that is almost universally appealing. It's perfectly appropriate for a fresh dessert after a hearty comfort food supper when the weather is chilly, and utterly delightful as a light finish to a summertime meal. From impressive layer cakes to easy as one-two-three-pound cakes, this roundup of lemon cake recipes has something for everyone and every skill level. Our Dreamy Lemon Cheesecake is heaven on a plate. You will not be able to resist its fluffy texture and melt-in-your-mouth crust. Why not rise and shine to a delicious slice of our Lemon Loaf Cake? It pairs wonderfully with a hot cup of coffee. If you have a cake plate that is begging for a friend, look no further than our Lemon-Lime Pound Cake. It is so easy and so delicious that you'll be baking it up over and over. That cake plate may never be empty again. 01 of 27 Dreamy Lemon Cheesecake Jennifer Causey Recipe: Dreamy Lemon Cheesecake Cook the cheesecake in a water bath to ensure it doesn't crack. 02 of 27 Lemon Bar Cake Jennifer Davick; Food Styling: Vanessa Rocchio; Prop Styling: Missie Crawford Recipe: Lemon Bar Cake The gooey center and chewy crust make one dynamic combination. Finish with a dusting of powdered sugar. 03 of 27 Lemon-Vanilla Pound Cake with Lavender Glaze Hector Manuel Sanchez Recipe: Lemon-Vanilla Pound Cake with Lavender Glaze You can skip the Lavender Glaze, but why would you want to do a thing like that? It's sweet, fresh, and utterly decadent when spread atop our Lemon-Vanilla Pound Cake. 04 of 27 The Lemon Cheese Layer Cake Hector Manuel Sanchez Recipe: The Lemon Cheese Layer Cake Don't let the name fool you: This is no cheesecake. But it is absolutely delicious. 05 of 27 Lemon-Yogurt Crumb Cake Jennifer Davick Recipe: Lemon-Yogurt Crumb Cake This recipe calls for our Quick and Easy Lemon Curd, but you can also pick up a jar at your favorite grocery store instead. 06 of 27 Luscious Lemon Cake Jennifer Davick Recipe: Luscious Lemon Cake For a casual look just frost the top of the cake and in between the layers. 07 of 27 Lemon Bundt Cake Recipe: Lemon Bundt Cake This tangy cake with a sweet glaze will become your go-to recipe for every occasion. 08 of 27 Lemon-Orange Chiffon Cake Jennifer Davick Recipe: Lemon-Orange Chiffon Cake If you're looking for an impressive dessert, you've found it. For a ladies' lunch, bridal tea, or baby shower, our Lemon-Orange Chiffon Cake is a winner. 09 of 27 Lemon-and-Chocolate Doberge Cake Photo: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Cindy Barr; Food Styling: Torie Cox Recipe: Lemon-and-Chocolate Doberge Cake If you think chocolate and lemon don't belong together in once dessert, this cake will prove otherwise. 10 of 27 Lemon-Lime Pound Cake Hector Manuel Sanchez Recipe: Lemon-Lime Pound Cake Ever heard of 7UP pound cake? This is our updated version to the classic Southern staple. 11 of 27 Strawberry-Lemonade Layer Cake Hector Manuel Sanchez Recipe: Strawberry-Lemonade Layer Cake To make this recipe ahead, you can wrap the cooled layers in plastic wrap and aluminum foil and freeze for up to a month. 12 of 27 Lemon Pudding Cake Micah A. Leal Recipe: Lemon Pudding Cake This simple dessert is light, custardy, and filled with the bright flavor of lemon. 13 of 27 Lemon Raspberry Cake Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Melissa Gray; Prop Styling: Missie Neville Crawford Recipe: Lemon Raspberry Cake Make the most of fresh lemons and raspberries by making this refreshing layer cake. 14 of 27 Lemon Yogurt Cake Micah Leal Crumbly cake layers, sweet lemon curd, and tangy whipped yogurt cream are the perfect trio. 15 of 27 Lemon Naked Cake Recipe with Flower Crown Photo: Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Torie Cox; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke Homemade lemon-vanilla buttercream and edible flowers instantly upgrade boxed cake mix. 16 of 27 Lemon Blueberry Cake Micah A. Leal Recipe: Lemon Blueberry Cake Lemon and blueberries are a match made in heaven in this light and airy springtime dessert. 17 of 27 Strawberry-Lemon Crêpe Cake Photo: Iain Bagwell; Prop Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine; Food Styling: Hadas Smirnoff Thin crêpe layers allow ample space for spoonfuls of rich lemon filling. 18 of 27 Lemon-Olive Oil Cake with Whipped Mascarpone Photographer: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Prop Styling: Lauren Smith Ford; Food Styling: Tina Bell Stamos Sometimes simple is better, and this one-layer cake proves just that. 19 of 27 Strawberry-Lemonade Cupcakes Photographer: Jennifer Causey Food Stylist: Melissa Gray Prop Stylist: Heather Chadduck Hillegas Recipe: Strawberry-Lemonade Cupcakes Transform a box of cake mix into a delightful treat that's perfectly portioned for guests. Fresh berries, lemon slices, or pink and yellow sprinkles make beautiful garnishes for these cupcakes. 20 of 27 Blueberry-Lemon Cake Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis Recipe: Blueberry-Lemon Cake No artificial dyes here! The beautiful frosting on this layered confection gets its natural hue from fresh pureed blueberries. 21 of 27 Lemon Loaf Cake Photography: Caitlin Bensel, Food Styling: Karen Rankin Recipe: Lemon Loaf Cake This bright, tender cake is the perfect companion to a morning cup of coffee, afternoon tea, or delicious dinner. Plus, it can be made in advance and frozen for up to three months for when you need a last-minute treat. 22 of 27 Raspberry-Lemon Cheesecake Photographer: Jennifer Causey Food Stylist: Melissa Gray Prop Stylist: Heather Chadduck Hillegas Recipe: Raspberry-Lemon Cheesecake This wow-worthy cheesecake is the ideal make-ahead recipe for the holidays. Simply prepare it the day before your gathering and chill until it's time to serve! 23 of 27 Lemon Cake with Lemon-Thyme Frosting Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Mary Clayton Carl Jones Recipe: Lemon Cake with Lemon-Thyme Frosting No one will realize this gorgeous cake started with a box of mix. A homemade lemon-thyme buttercream dresses it right up. 24 of 27 Lemon-Lime Poke Cake Greg DuPree; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis Recipe: Lemon-Lime Poke Cake Poke cakes are the most delicious way to serve up a moist dessert that feeds a crowd. The flavor combination of lemon and lime screams summer. 25 of 27 Lemon Cupcakes with Raspberry Buttercream Jennifer Causey Recipe: Lemon Cupcakes with Raspberry Buttercream Soft lemon cupcakes are a gorgeous match for raspberry buttercream. Even though this recipe makes a dozen, it comes with a warning: You'll want to double it! 26 of 27 Lemon Blueberry Pound Cake Jennifer Causey Recipe: Lemon Blueberry Pound Cake This sweet, tangy pound cake will brighten anyone's day. Fresh blueberries and lemon are showcased in the cake and glaze. 27 of 27 Lemon-Poppy Seed Cake Micah A. Leal Recipe: Lemon-Poppy Seed Cake Since this loaf cake is an oil-based cake, you don't have to worry about dryness—the cake stays moist for days. Friends and family will love a slice with coffee or tea at brunch. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit