Grandma'S Lemon Cake With Sauce

Prep: 15 min Cook: 20 min Serves: 9 Cuisine: American

A moist, tangy lemon cake with a tender crumb, perfect for afternoon tea or special occasions, featuring bright lemon flavor and a buttery finish.

Be the first to rate this recipe

Ingredients

  • 1 3/4 cups sugar
  • 2/3 stick butter
  • 2 eggs
  • pinch of salt
  • 2 cups flour
  • 1 cup milk
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon lemon extract

Instructions

  1. Cream butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.
  2. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
  3. Stir in a pinch of salt, flour, and baking powder until combined.
  4. Gradually beat in milk and lemon extract until smooth.
  5. Pour batter into a greased and floured 8 x 8-inch baking pan.
  6. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20 to 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Tips & Substitutions

For a lighter texture, consider substituting half of the all-purpose flour with cake flour. If you don't have lemon extract, fresh lemon juice and zest can be used instead for a more vibrant flavor. Remember to check the cake a few minutes before the minimum baking time, as oven temperatures can vary.

Serving Suggestions

Serve the cake plain or drizzle with a simple lemon glaze for added sweetness. It pairs beautifully with whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. For a refreshing twist, consider serving alongside fresh berries or a scoop of homemade Heavenly Blueberry Pie for dessert.

Storage & Reheating

Store leftover lemon cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. If you need to keep it longer, refrigerate it for up to a week. To reheat, gently warm individual slices in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds or enjoy it cold.

Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)

Each serving of Grandma'S Lemon Cake With Sauce contains roughly 405 calories, with 9g protein, 81g carbohydrates, and 5g fat. It is an excellent source of iron (27% of the Daily Value), vitamin C (23% of the Daily Value), and calcium (21% of the Daily Value), and a good source of protein and dietary fiber. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 549mg per serving (24% of the Daily Value).

405 kcal 20% DV
Protein Fat Carbs

Macronutrients

Protein 9g 18% DV
Total Fat 5.4g 7% DV
Carbs 80.7g 29% DV
Fiber 3.6g 13% DV
Sugar 12.4g 25% DV

Electrolytes

Sodium 548.9mg 24% DV
Potassium 300.5mg 6% DV
Cholesterol 33.6mg 11% DV

Vitamins & Minerals

Vitamin A 57.1mcg 6% DV
Vitamin C 21.1mg 23% DV
Vitamin D 0.5mcg 2% DV
Calcium 271.5mg 21% DV
Iron 4.8mg 27% DV
Diet fit Low-fat
Contains Milk Egg Wheat/Gluten

Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.

* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this cake ahead of time?

Yes, this lemon cake can be made a day in advance. Just store it covered at room temperature. If you want to frost it, wait until the day you plan to serve it for the best texture.

What can I use instead of butter?

If you're looking for a dairy-free option, you can substitute the butter with coconut oil or a plant-based butter alternative. This will give a slight coconut flavor, which can complement the lemon nicely.

How can I make the cake more lemony?

To enhance the lemon flavor, you can increase the amount of lemon extract or add the zest of one or two lemons to the batter. This will make for a brighter and more zesty cake.

Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).

American recipes → Vegetarian recipes → Dairy recipes → All recipes →