Description
Zesty lemon drizzle traybake cake brings sunshine to your dessert table with its perfect balance of tangy citrus and sweet crumb. Moist layers soaked in bright lemon syrup promise a delightful treat you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cups self-raising flour
- 1 1/4 cups (250 grams) granulated sugar
- 1 cup (227 grams) unsalted butter, softened
- 4 medium eggs
Lemon Components:
- Zest of 2 lemons
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1–2 tablespoons lemon zest
Additional Ingredients:
- 3 tablespoons (45 milliliters) milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 2/3 cups (200 grams) powdered sugar
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and carefully line an 8×10-inch baking tin with parchment paper, ensuring complete coverage of the bottom and sides.
- Cream butter and sugar together until light and airy, creating a smooth, pale mixture that forms soft peaks when mixed.
- Incorporate vanilla extract, then gently fold in eggs one at a time, maintaining a consistent, lump-free texture.
- Gradually sift flour into the wet ingredients, alternating with milk to create a silky, well-blended cake batter.
- Gently fold in fresh lemon zest, distributing the citrusy essence evenly throughout the mixture.
- Pour the batter into the prepared tin, smoothing the surface with a spatula to ensure an even layer.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, checking doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center – it should come out clean with no raw batter.
- Allow the cake to cool completely in the tin, which helps it set and prevents crumbling.
- Prepare the drizzle by whisking powdered sugar with fresh lemon juice until achieving a smooth, pourable consistency.
- Generously drizzle the lemon glaze over the cooled cake, allowing it to naturally cascade and create an elegant finish.
- Sprinkle additional lemon zest on top for extra flavor and visual appeal.
- Let the glaze set for 10-15 minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Soften butter completely at room temperature for easier creaming and smoother cake texture.
- Zest lemons before juicing to ensure maximum flavor and prevent waste during preparation.
- Consider using gluten-free flour for a celiac-friendly version without compromising cake’s delicate crumb.
- Allow cake to cool entirely before drizzling glaze to prevent melting and ensure clean, crisp icing layer.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: British
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 275
- Sugar: 30 g
- Sodium: 85 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg