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Strawberry Lemon Cake

Close-up strawberry lemon cake slice on rustic wooden table.

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This Strawberry Lemon Cake is a tender, moist cake filled with fresh strawberries and bright lemon zest. It is perfect for summer gatherings, with a simple lemon glaze that adds sweetness without overpowering the fruit.

Ingredients

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  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Zest of 2 lemons
  • 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
  • 1/2 cup buttermilk
  • 1 1/2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and diced
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon milk or cream

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease a 9-inch round cake pan or 9×5 loaf pan and line the bottom with parchment paper.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
  3. In a large bowl, beat butter and granulated sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
  4. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each. Mix in vanilla extract, lemon zest, and lemon juice.
  5. Add flour mixture in three parts, alternating with buttermilk, starting and ending with flour. Mix just until combined.
  6. Gently fold diced strawberries into the batter with a rubber spatula.
  7. Pour batter into prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
  8. Let cake cool in pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
  9. For the glaze, whisk together powdered sugar, lemon juice, and milk until smooth. Drizzle over cooled cake and let set for 10 minutes before slicing.

Notes

If strawberries are out of season, use frozen berries thawed and drained. For a dairy-free version, use plant-based butter and oat milk mixed with lemon juice instead of buttermilk. For gluten-free, use a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend.

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