Lemon Cake Recipes That Require a Second Slice

Lemon Bundt Cake
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.

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Dreamy Lemon Cheesecake

Dreamy Lemon Cheesecake
Jennifer Causey

Recipe: Dreamy Lemon Cheesecake

Cook the cheesecake in a water bath to ensure it doesn't crack.

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Lemon Bar Cake

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.

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Lemon-Vanilla Pound Cake with Lavender Glaze

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.

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The Lemon Cheese Layer Cake

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.

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Lemon-Yogurt Crumb Cake

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.

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Luscious Lemon Cake

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.

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Lemon Bundt Cake

lemon bundt cake

Recipe: Lemon Bundt Cake

This tangy cake with a sweet glaze will become your go-to recipe for every occasion.

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Lemon-Orange Chiffon Cake

Banana Pudding Cheesecake
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.

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Lemon-and-Chocolate Doberge Cake

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.

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Lemon-Lime Pound Cake

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.

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Strawberry-Lemonade Layer Cake

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.

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Lemon Pudding Cake

Lemon Pudding Cakes
Micah A. Leal

Recipe: Lemon Pudding Cake

This simple dessert is light, custardy, and filled with the bright flavor of lemon.

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Lemon Raspberry Cake

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.

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Lemon Yogurt Cake

Lemon Yogurt Cake
Micah Leal

Crumbly cake layers, sweet lemon curd, and tangy whipped yogurt cream are the perfect trio.

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Lemon Naked Cake Recipe with Flower Crown

Naked Lemon Cake 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.

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Lemon Blueberry Cake

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.

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Strawberry-Lemon Crêpe Cake

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.

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Lemon-Olive Oil Cake with Whipped Mascarpone

Hummingbird Cake Shake
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.

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Strawberry-Lemonade Cupcakes

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.

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Blueberry-Lemon Cake

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.

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Lemon Loaf Cake

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.

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Raspberry-Lemon Cheesecake

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!

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Lemon Cake with Lemon-Thyme Frosting

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.

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Lemon-Lime Poke Cake

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.

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Lemon Cupcakes with Raspberry Buttercream

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!

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Lemon Blueberry Pound Cake

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.

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Lemon-Poppy Seed Cake

Lemon Poppyseed 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.

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