Lemon Drizzle Loaf Cake Recipe

This lovely lemon drizzle loaf cake is straightforward to make, with simply easy components and luggage of lemon flavour in each the sponge and the beneficiant lemon drizzle glaze.

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Tips on how to serve lemon drizzle traybake

This lemon drizzle loaf cake is unbelievable loved by itself, or with a scorching cup of tea or espresso.

It is also very straightforward to move in its tin, so you’ll be able to take it with you to all kinds of get togethers, from espresso mornings to dinner events, picnics to pot lucks, bakes gross sales to birthdays.

It is pretty served with a drizzle of single cream, a scoop of ice cream, or you’ll be able to combine up some additional icing with recent lemon juice and icing sugar and drizzle that on prime for an additional candy hit.

Can I take advantage of this recipe to make a layer cake?

You’ll be able to undoubtedly make a lemon drizzle layer cake. I’d advocate utilizing the ingredient portions in my lemon drizzle traybake recipe. Use the same amount of batter however bake in two 18cm (7inch) tins, then use half of the lemon drizzle syrup to drizzle on to every them.

As soon as cooled, they’d be nice sandwiched and lined with cool lemon frosting and even cream cheese frosting.

Are you able to make this scrumptious buttery, tender lemon drizzle loaf cake?

Learn on for the total recipe with detailed directions and a useful {photograph} for each step. And if in case you have any questions, simply depart me a remark. Get pleasure from!

Components & substitutions

Be taught extra about

Does it matter what sort of lemons I take advantage of?

You should use any kind of lemons you want on this lemon drizzle loaf cake however they need to be unwaxed as you will be zesting them.

If you cannot pay money for unwaxed lemons, you’ll be able to take away the wax at house. Simply place your lemons in a colander within the sink and pour freshly boiled water throughout them. Whereas they’re nonetheless heat, however not too scorching to deal with, brush them gently with a vegetable brush and the wax ought to come away. You’ll be able to then rinse them off and so they’ll be prepared to make use of.

Keep in mind, too, that lemons are really the star of the present on this recipe, so whereas customary lemons are completely superb to make use of and provides an exquisite end result, investing in good high quality lemons will make the cake additional particular.

Observe: lemons can fluctuate in measurement and subsequently give completely different quantities of juice. A normal UK lemon, as used on this recipe, offers about 2 tbsp of juice. If yours are bigger or smaller, modify accordingly.

Can I take advantage of lemon extract as a substitute?

I’ve solely examined this recipe with recent lemons and the juice and zest are fairly essential to getting that perfect flavour and texture, however you could possibly definitely attempt leaving out the lemon zest and juice within the sponge and utilizing somewhat lemon extract as a substitute.

For the drizzle, you could possibly use 6 tbsp icing sugar, 6 tbsp of water and somewhat lemon extract to provide a lemon syrup. Once more, I have never examined this so cannot make sure how effectively it could work.

Why did my cake style bitter?

Once you zest your lemons, it is best to be sure that to solely take the yellow a part of the lemon pores and skin. I have a tendency to make use of a superb grater for this (akin to a microplane) and it does the job superbly.

In the event you use a vegetable peeler, you will most likely discover the the items of lemon peel are too massive and that you’ve got taken off among the pith as effectively, which is the white half beneath the zest. That is very bitter and may make your ultimate cake style disagreeable.

Can I omit the lemon out of this lemon drizzle traybake?

You’ll be able to omit the lemon, however you’ll need to change it with one thing else – attempt utilizing the juice and zest of an orange as a substitute. I’ve a tremendous orange drizzle cake you could possibly attempt.

In the event you’re nervous about this cake being too lemony, simply make sure to style the syrup earlier than you pour it over the cake.

Some lemons are zingier than others, and private style varies, so if you wish to tone it completed, simply add somewhat extra sugar, or use much less of the syrup. Personally, I like an intense lemony taste and that is what this recipe is designed to ship.

Can I take advantage of massive eggs as a substitute of medium eggs?

Within the UK, medium eggs eggs weigh 53g – 63g (1.9oz – 2.2oz) and enormous eggs sometimes weigh 63g – 73g (2.2oz – 2.6 oz) .

If you wish to use massive eggs, beat them individually, then weigh 250g (8.8oz) into your cake bowl.

Can I make this lemon drizzle traybake with out eggs? 

The eggs are an essential a part of this recipe. They not solely add moisture and color, additionally they assist to bind the completely different components collectively.

In the event you can’t use eggs on this recipe, the next choices will be thought of as a alternative:

Egg alternate options (every = 1 egg so multiply as wanted for the recipe)

• Retailer-bought egg alternative powder (use as directed on the packet).
• 1 tablespoon of crushed chia or flax seeds blended with 2 tablespoons of water and left for 10 minutes within the fridge.
• 3 tablespoons of aquafaba.
• 3 tablespoons of applesauce.
• Half of a medium sized banana, mashed. It is best to make use of pretty ripe bananas for this as they’ll mash extra simply and bind your components collectively extra successfully 

Observe: I’ve not examined all of those replacements, so let me know the way you get on.

Can I make this lemon drizzle loaf cake with out butter?

In the event you don’t need to use butter on this lemon drizzle loaf cake, you’ll be able to substitute for a similar quantity of flavourless oil, customary margarine or Stork.

In the event you do, it’s actually essential to decide on a margarine with a excessive fats content material, ideally round 80%. Mild margarines are likely to have a excessive water content material which may upset the steadiness of the batter, thus affecting the ultimate bake.

Keep in mind, I all the time make this cake with butter, so that you would possibly want to check somewhat to make certain you are utilizing simply the correct amount of your fats of selection.

Can I make this lemon drizzle loaf cake with plain flour?

You’re going to need this sponge to rise, so that you’re going to wish a elevating agent, and there isn’t something to assist with rise in plain flour. In distinction, self-raising flour comprises baking powder, which helps give a beautiful mild, ethereal sponge and a great rise.

If you haven’t any self-raising flour, you may make your individual. Merely add two teaspoons of baking powder to each 150g (1 cup) of plain flour in a bowl and sift them collectively earlier than utilizing in your recipe.

This explicit recipe makes use of 250 g (1⅔ cups) self-raising flour, so for those who use plain flour as a substitute, you’ll want so as to add about 3.5 tsp of baking powder. 

Do I’ve to make use of caster sugar on this recipe?

I do know that caster sugar isn’t one thing that’s simply obtainable within the US – don’t fear. 

Caster sugar crystals are very small which helps them to dissolve extra simply, however granulated sugar, golden caster sugar and brown sugar will all work, they’ll simply give a barely completely different texture. 

Don’t use icing sugar / powdered sugar on this recipe because the crystals are too superb.

Can I make this lemon drizzle traybake with out sugar?

Sugar lends not solely sweetness, but additionally construction and texture to the cake, so I wouldn’t advocate leaving it out. 

I’ve not experimented with synthetic sweeteners, however I think it could be difficult to steadiness the lemon out – let me know for those who experiment with it.

Can I make the lemon drizzle syrup with out icing sugar?

Icing sugar is one other title for powdered sugar.

In the event you don’t have any, you should utilize granulated or caster sugar, you’ll simply must be affected person as you heat the syrup as it’s going to take longer for the sugar crystals to totally dissolve.

Can I make the lemon drizzle traybake topping crunchy?

If you need a very crunchy lemon drizzle topping as a substitute of a syrup that sinks in, you’ll want to alter the strategy barely. 

Use granulated sugar as a substitute of icing sugar and with none warmth, combine your lemon juice and sugar collectively to type a paste, then unfold over the nice and cozy cake with the again of a spoon. This could offer you your zesty crunchy topping as soon as cooled.

When ought to I drizzle my cake? 

It is best to drizzle the syrup over the cake whereas it is nonetheless heat. The principle purpose for that is that it’ll penetrate the cake extra evenly make for a greater texture.

Depart the cake within the tin when you do that so that you just don’t lose any of the syrup because it seeps by the cake.

Can I make this lemon drizzle loaf cake in a meals processor or stand mixer?

You should use a stand-type electrical mixer, but it surely’s probably not needed.

In case your meals processor comes with a beater fairly than blade attachment, then you definitely cream the butter and sugar collectively on a low setting, then mix within the eggs. It gained’t incorporate as a lot air as a whisk, although, so isn’t really helpful. 

You’ll be able to undoubtedly beat the butter and sugar, after which the eggs, in a stand mixer to hurry up the job, however a hand mixer will do the job simply as effectively.

No matter technique you utilize to mix the butter, sugar and eggs, it’s essential that you just gently fold the flour in by hand. Beating will trigger the cake batter will be simply overworked, which might make your completed bake powerful and/or poorly risen if the blades knock out the air and stretch the gluten.

Can I make this lemon drizzle loaf cake with out an electrical whisk?

Utilizing an electrical hand whisk to beat the butter and sugar collectively, after which beat within the eggs is absolutely helpful as a result of it will get the job completed and beats in a number of air. 

Nevertheless, you’ll be able to completely do the job by hand, it’ll simply take somewhat extra elbow grease! 

Can I make this lemon drizzle loaf cake utilizing the multi function technique?

The multi function technique is the place you add the entire sponge components into the bowl without delay after which beat all of them collectively till easy.

This recipe is kind of forgiving, so if you’re in a rush, the all in-one technique will work. 

Nevertheless, I like to recommend following the recipe and beating the butter and sugar first, then including the eggs, then folding within the flour and so on as this may incorporate loads of air with out overworking the gluten in your combination, which may make for a tricky sponge.

Can I make this recipe with out weighing scales?

The perfect bakes occur once you take the time to measure every part out correctly. After I comply with a recipe, it’s the very first thing I do. That manner, I do know I’ve the best portions of every part. 

I’ve offered the ingredient measurements in each metric and customary US measures like cups and sticks for ease.

What tin do I want to make use of?

I’ve used a 1lb/500g loaf tin but it surely’s fairly tall and makes a pleasant deep cake which cuts into 8 slices.

A 2lb/1000g tin would work superb too, however would give a wider, shorter loaf.

Step-by-Step Directions

Make the Lemon Sponge

Grease and line your nonstick 1lb loaf tin. If you haven’t any greaseproof paper, greasing after which dusting with flour might help stop sticking. Preheat the oven to 180C (160C fan, 350F).

Put the sugar and butter in a big bowl.

Whisk collectively till fluffy.

Add the crushed eggs somewhat at a time and whisk in.

Repeat till all of the egg is added.

Sift within the flour.

Fold till easy.

Add the zest of three lemons and the juice of 1½ to the combination.

Gently combine by.

Spoon the batter right into a greased and lined loaf tin.

Mark a line within the batter down the centre utilizing a knife. This may promote a beautiful crack within the loaf cake and make it a beautiful even form.

Bake for about 60 minutes.

Make & add the lemon syrup

In a small pan, combine the juice of 2½ of the lemons with the icing sugar.

Place over a medium low warmth and stir till the sugar has dissolved, then convey to a boil for 1-2 minutes till you might have a light-weight syrupy texture.

Poke holes everywhere in the heat sponge with a skewer, virtually right down to the underside.

Take the syrup off the warmth (cautious, it is scorching!) and pour everywhere in the cooling sponge steadily in order that the syrup has time to soak in.

Permit to chill fully, then lower into beneficiant slices and luxuriate in with a scorching cup of tea or espresso.

Allergen & Dietary Data for Lemon Drizzle Loaf Cake

Is that this lemon drizzle loaf cake wholesome?

This cake is kind of excessive in sugar and fats. It’s greatest loved as an occasional deal with, as a part of a balanced weight loss plan.

Vegetarian lemon drizzle loaf cake

Sure, this recipe is appropriate for vegetarians because it comprises no meat, fish or poultry.

Double verify your entire components labels to verify to verify that they’re appropriate for vegetarians. Remember to additionally verify something additional you propose to serve the recipe with.

Tips on how to make this lemon drizzle loaf cake recipe vegan

No, this lemon drizzle cake isn’t vegan as a consequence of the usage of eggs and butter, however if you wish to substitute these for alternate options, I’ve included recommendation above.

For the butter, you should utilize any good high quality vegan butter. Intention for one that’s about 80% fats is feasible, as this may behave equally to dairy butter and provides the most effective end result, typically talking.

To exchange the eggs, you could possibly attempt considered one of these alternate options (every = 1 egg so multiply as wanted for the recipe):

• Retailer-bought egg alternative powder (use as directed on the packet).
• 1 tablespoon of crushed chia or flax seeds blended with 2 tablespoons of water and left for 10 minutes within the fridge.
• 3 tablespoons of aquafaba.
• 3 tablespoons of applesauce.
• Half of a medium sized banana, mashed. It is best to make use of pretty ripe bananas for this as they’ll mash extra simply and bind your components collectively extra successfully 

Observe: I’ve not examined all of those replacements, so let me know the way you get on.

If you have already got a favorite vegan victoria sponge recipe, you could possibly attempt utilizing that rather than the principle batter components right here, merely including the lemon zest and juice as directed after which following the steps for the drizzle.

Double verify your entire components labels to verify to verify that they’re appropriate for vegans. Remember to additionally verify something additional you propose to serve the recipe with.

Is that this lemon drizzle loaf cake recipe nut-free?

Sure, this lemon drizzle loaf cake is completely nut-free. 

Nevertheless, with all allergy symptoms and sensitivities, it’s essential to verify the packaging of the entire components you utilize very rigorously to make sure they’re nut-free. 

It is because despite the fact that not one of the components ought to naturally comprise nuts, some might have been produced in a manufacturing unit that handles nuts, which means there’s a threat of cross-contamination.

Is that this lemon drizzle loaf cake recipe gluten-free?

No, this isn’t a gluten-free lemon drizzle sponge because it comprises wheat flour.

I have never tried making this recipe with gluten-free flour but however you could possibly definitely give it a go.

At any time when baking a gluten-free cake recipe, I like to recommend utilizing a great high quality model that may doubtless be a mix of various flours like rice, or oat blended with a binding agent like xanthan gum which actually helps with the feel and, after all, a elevating agent the place you want self-raising flour.

You may additionally prefer to experiment with including a small quantity of floor almonds to lend somewhat extra texture to your gluten free bake.

If you have already got a favorite gluten-free victoria sponge recipe, you could possibly attempt utilizing that rather than the principle batter components right here, merely including the lemon zest and juice as directed after which following the steps for the drizzle.

Not one of the different components naturally comprise gluten however it is best to nonetheless double verify your entire components labels to verify to verify that they’re gluten-free. Remember to additionally verify something additional you propose to serve the recipe with.

Is that this recipe keto-friendly?

No, this lemon drizzle loaf cake isn’t keto pleasant because it’s excessive in carbohydrates.

Is that this lemon drizzle loaf cake suitable for eating whereas pregnant?

There’s nothing on this cake recipe that ought to current a threat to pregnant individuals if the components are in good situation and have been saved accurately, and the recipe is cooked hygienically and safely.

Egg security varies from nation to nation and it is best to all the time search country-specific recommendation. The NHS has a nice useful resource that may assist assessment the newest recommendation concerning meals which can be suitable for eating whereas pregnant within the UK.

A Mummy Too doesn’t supply medical recommendation. Please search assist from a medical skilled for those who want additional info or have any considerations.

Troubleshooting Lemon Drizzle Loaf Cake

How can I inform when my lemon drizzle loaf cake is prepared?

Visually, you’re in search of a cake that’s mild golden in color and appears even from edge to edge. 

Once you really feel assured that your cake is prepared, take away it from the oven and insert a flat skewer into the centre of the cake. Once you pull it out, it ought to look clear. If something has caught to the skewer than the cake wants longer within the oven. 

Don’t fear for those who don’t get it proper first time. Baking muffins takes a little bit of instinct and the extra you get extra used to baking and the quirks of your explicit oven, the extra you’re going to get a really feel for when your cake is finished.

Why is my lemon drizzle loaf cake dry? Why does it have laborious edges?

In case your cake appears dry or laborious, the almost definitely clarification is that it’s overbaked. This might be as a result of the temperature in your oven was too excessive, or the cake was baked for too lengthy. 

Each oven is completely different and temperatures can fluctuate wildly, even in prime quality ovens, so my most well-liked approach to comply with a cake recipe is to have a look at the baking time after which set my timer to remind to begin keeping track of my cake 10 minutes earlier than the top in order that I can guarantee I take it out at simply the best time. 

My lemon drizzle sponge batter appears actually thick, can I skinny it?

The batter for this lemon drizzle sponge is certainly thick, however for those who suppose it is too thick, you’ll be able to skinny it out with a splash of milk, yogurt or buttermilk. 

Solely add somewhat at a time and stir gently to mix so that you just don’t over-thin or overmix your batter.

Why did my lemon cake batter break up/curdle?

In case your batter appears to have gone watery and lumpy, or resembles scrambled egg, then it has most likely break up.

It normally occurs once you add chilly eggs to room temperature butter and sugar. The three components are speculated to type an emulsion as they’re crushed collectively, however the distinction in temperature can stop that.

To keep away from splitting your batter, goal to take away the amount of eggs and butter you’ll want from the fridge earlier than you begin baking and depart them to return as much as room temperature earlier than you begin.

In case your combination does begin to break up, attempt including a spoonful of flour (from the 340g whole you’re planning to make use of). This might help encourage the emulsion to return again collectively, then you’ll be able to fold in the remainder of the flour. 

Counter-intuitively, mixing your eggs, sugar and butter collectively extra vigorously is not going to trigger them to return again collectively. In actual fact, overmixing the components can result in a break up batter, in order quickly because it seems to be lump free, cease beating.

Lastly, if in case you have break up your batter and it gained’t come again collectively, don’t fear! Simply keep it up with the recipe in response to the directions. You could get a barely extra uneven bake and or a decrease rise but it surely ought to nonetheless be scrumptious!

Why did my sponge fail to rise/was flat/sank within the center?

In the event you ever have any form of sponge that fails to rise, it’s normally for considered one of these causes.

• Oven too scorching: Oven temperature is essential to a great end result. Your oven could also be operating hotter than the dial suggests, which means the cake rose too quick to assist its personal weight. That is typically the trigger when a cake sinks within the center.
• Over-beaten batter: In the event you beat an excessive amount of air into the cake, it might rise too quick after which collapse.
• Letting the warmth out: Opening the oven door throughout baking could cause the temperature to drop quickly, inflicting the cake to lose top.
• Slamming the door: Closing the oven door too roughly throughout baking also can imply that the air is knocked out.
• Incorrect measurement tin: Utilizing a too large, slim, shallow or vast tin can imply that the combo is just too deep to prepare dinner all through and so isn’t capable of maintain its construction. Or its too shallow and has overbaked.
• An excessive amount of flour: A thick batter with an excessive amount of flour gained’t rise as effectively, and can provide a dense sponge, so verify that your portions are right.
• Outdated flour: Self-raising flour additionally has a shorter shelf life than plain flour, so ensure that the flour you used is in date or it could have misplaced a few of its effectiveness, which means your cake is not going to rise as a lot because it in any other case would.

Tips on how to retailer, maintain & freeze lemon drizzle loaf cake

What’s one of the best ways to retailer lemon drizzle loaf cake and the way lengthy will it maintain?

Saved in an hermetic container in a cool place out of direct daylight, your lemon drizzle loaf cake will maintain effectively for 3-4 days. Do not slice it or maintain the slices tightly packed collectively to keep away from the sides drying out.

Can I put this lemon drizzle loaf cake be stored within the fridge?

You’ll be able to retailer your lemon drizzle loaf cake in a sealed container within the fridge for those who like, but it surely’s doubtless that the crumb will lose somewhat of its tenderness and change into form of grainy.

Because of this, I feel this lemon drizzle cake is best saved at room temp to protect its tender crumb. 

Can this lemon drizzle loaf cake recipe be frozen?

Sure! It truly freezes very well. 

Be sure to position it in an hermetic container. I discover one of the best ways to freeze is to first lower the cake into squares. That manner, you’ll be able to simply seize a slice once you need and permit it to softly defrost earlier than consuming. 

In the event you discover your freezer is vulnerable to freezer burn (the place the meals will get a frost on it and appears broken) then you’ll be able to go an additional step and double wrap the cake effectively in plastic wrap / cling movie earlier than inserting in a hermetic container.

Print this Lemon drizzle loaf cake recipe

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Lemon drizzle loaf cake

That is really the zingiest, most scrumptious and moreish lemon drizzle loaf cake you will ever make. The recipe is straightforward to comply with and the crumb is tremendous delicate and tender.

Prep Time15 minutes minutes

Cook dinner Time1 hour hr

Complete Time1 hour hr 15 minutes minutes

Course: muffins and bakes

Delicacies: British

Weight loss plan: Vegetarian

Servings: 8 slices

Creator: Emily Leary

Components

• 250 g (1⅓ cups + 2tbsp) white caster sugar (superfine sugar)
• 250 g (2 sticks + 1tbsp) barely salted butter
• 3 medium free vary eggs
• 250 g (1⅔ cups) self-raising white flour (self rising flour) sifted
• 4 unwaxed lemons (A normal UK lemon offers about 2 tbsp of juice. If yours are bigger, modify accordingly)
• 6 tbsp icing sugar (powdered sugar)

Directions

Make the Lemon Sponge

• Grease and line your nonstick 1lb loaf tin. If you haven’t any greaseproof paper, greasing after which dusting with flour might help stop sticking.

• Preheat the oven to 180C (160C fan, 350F).

• Put the sugar and butter in a big bowl and whisk collectively till fluffy.

• Add the crushed eggs somewhat at a time and whisk in.

• Sift within the flour and fold till easy.

• Add the zest of three lemons and the juice of 1½ to the combination and gently combine by.

• Spoon the batter into the greased and lined loaf tin.

• Mark a line within the batter down the centre utilizing a knife. This may promote a beautiful crack within the loaf cake and make it a beautiful even form.

• Bake for about 60 minutes. (If the loaf tin is tall and slim, the cake might take longer than one that’s vast and shallow). The cake needs to be golden on the surface and the skewer pushed into the very centre ought to come out clear – control it as you do not need it to over-bake.

Make & add the lemon syrup

• In a small pan, combine the juice of 2½ of the lemons with the icing sugar.

• Place over a medium low warmth and stir till the sugar has dissolved, then convey to a boil for 1-2 minutes till you might have a light-weight syrupy texture.

• Poke holes everywhere in the heat sponge with a skewer, virtually right down to the underside.

• Take the syrup off the warmth (cautious, it is scorching!) and pour everywhere in the cooling sponge steadily in order that the syrup has time to soak in.

• Permit to chill fully, then lower into beneficiant slices and luxuriate in with a scorching cup of tea or espresso.

Notes

Saved in an hermetic container in a cool place out of direct daylight, your lemon drizzle cake will maintain effectively for 3-4 days.

Vitamin

Energy: 520kcal | Carbohydrates: 65g | Protein: 7g | Fats: 28g | Saturated Fats: 17g | Polyunsaturated Fats: 2g | Monounsaturated Fats: 7g | Trans Fats: 1g | Ldl cholesterol: 129mg | Sodium: 227mg | Potassium: 137mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 39g | Vitamin A: 883IU | Vitamin C: 29mg | Calcium: 36mg | Iron: 1mg

* Observe: dietary info is estimated, based mostly on publicly obtainable information. Nutrient values might fluctuate from these revealed. Data on this web site shouldn’t be taken as medical recommendation. Cuisines determine the first area of inspiration for a dish.

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