5 Lemon Pound Cake Recipes – Moist, Buttery & Full of Bright Lemon Flavor
Few desserts taste as fresh and comforting as a lemon pound cake. It’s soft, buttery, and rich with a zesty citrus pop — perfect for spring gatherings, tea time, or a cozy weekend bake. And the best part? You can make it in so many delicious variations. Today we’re not just sharing one recipe… we’re exploring 5 lemon pound cake recipes worth baking over and over.
Whether you want a classic moist lemon pound cake recipe, a Starbucks-style lemon loaf, something blueberry-filled and summery, or a simple shortcut cake-mix version — this guide has it all.
1. What Makes Lemon Pound Cake So Good?
A pound cake is traditionally made with equal parts butter, flour, sugar, and eggs, giving it a dense but tender crumb. The lemon version brightens everything — suddenly it’s rich and refreshing.
Why people love it:
- Sweet but not heavy
- Perfect balance of tart + buttery
- Pairs amazing with coffee, tea or berries
- Stays moist for days
- Freezes well for future cravings
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2. Ingredients for the Best Lemon Pound Cake
✔ Butter (room temp)
✔ Sugar
✔ Eggs (room temp = fluffier cake)
✔ Flour (all-purpose)
✔ Fresh lemon zest + juice
✔ Buttermilk or sour cream (moisture secret!)
✔ Vanilla extract
✔ Baking powder
✔ Optional mix-ins — blueberries, glaze, cream cheese
For richer moisture, sour cream or cream cheese works wonders.
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🍋 3. 5 Lemon Pound Cake Recipes
⭐ Recipe #1 – Classic Lemon Pound Cake (From Scratch)
(best lemon pound cake recipe for beginners)
Ingredients:
- 1 cup butter
- 1 ½ cups sugar
- 4 eggs
- 2 ½ cups flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ⅓ cup lemon juice
- 2 tbsp lemon zest
- ½ cup buttermilk
Instructions:
- Cream butter + sugar until fluffy.
- Add eggs one at a time.
- Mix flour, baking powder, salt separately.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients.
- Add lemon juice, zest & buttermilk.
- Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 55–65 mins.
Soft, moist, bright lemon flavor — perfection.
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🫐 Recipe #2 – Lemon Blueberry Pound Cake
Bursts of blueberry in every bite.
Add to base recipe:
- Fold 1–1½ cups blueberries in flour before mixing into batter.
Sprinkle powdered sugar or drizzle glaze. It’s summer in cake form.
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🧀 Recipe #3 – Lemon Cream Cheese Pound Cake
Ultra-rich, velvety texture — bakery level.
Add to recipe:
- Replace ½ cup butter with cream cheese
- Add 2 extra tbsp lemon zest
Bake 60–75 mins, cool completely before slicing.
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☕ Recipe #4 – Starbucks Lemon Pound Cake Copycat
That moist, dense slice you get with coffee? Now at home.
Ingredients adjust:
- Add 2 tbsp lemon pudding mix
- Use sour cream instead of buttermilk
- Use thick lemon glaze topping
Bake in a loaf pan for signature slices.
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⏱ Recipe #5 – 3-Ingredient Cake-Mix Lemon Pound Cake
For busy days — quick, soft, foolproof.
Mix:
- 1 lemon cake mix
- 1 cup sour cream
- 4 eggs
Bake 40–50 mins. Glaze it for magic.
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🍋 Lemon Glaze Recipe for Pound Cake
Whisk & drizzle:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp zest
- 1 tbsp milk (optional for consistency)
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Tips for a Super Moist Pound Cake
- Room-temp eggs & butter
- Don’t overmix batter
- Use buttermilk / sour cream / cream cheese
- Brush cake with warm lemon syrup
- Let it cool completely
Creative Flavor Variations
Try next time:
| Version | Add-Ins |
|---|---|
| Lemon poppy seed pound cake | 2 tbsp poppy seeds |
| Strawberry lemon pound cake | Fold chopped berries |
| Ritz Carlton style | Extra butter + zest |
| Gluten-free lemon pound cake | Use 1:1 GF flour |
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Storage & Freezing
Fridge: 4–5 days (airtight)
Freezer: 3 months (wrap slices individually)
Warm 10 sec microwave = like fresh.
FAQ
Why is my pound cake dry?
Too much flour or over-baking. Use sour cream.
Best lemon for cakes?
Fresh lemons — bottled juice lacks brightness.
Can I add glaze while warm?
Yes! It soaks beautifully.
Final Thoughts
These 5 lemon pound cake recipes are easy, bright, and guaranteed to impress family or guests. Whether you want something bakery-style, blueberry filled, rich with cream cheese, or minimal ingredients — there’s a recipe for every mood.
Serve with tea, brunch or as a dessert — and watch slices disappear fast. 🍋✨
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