Handwritten recipe card for Lemon Cake
by: salvagedrecipes

Lemon Cake from Scratch

Lemon Cake
This classic lemon cake recipe showcases the straightforward charm of early 20th-century baking. With just a few pantry staples and a burst of citrus from grated lemon rind, the result is a light, tender cake with a subtle tangy flavor. It’s perfect as a tea cake or afternoon treat, and it reflects the simplicity and ingenuity of home baking before electric mixers and modern appliances became the norm. The “quick oven” instruction refers to a hot oven, suggesting a relatively short baking time for a moist interior and golden exterior.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 8
Calories 195 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup white sugar
  • 3 tbsp melted butter
  • 3 tbsp milk (sweet milk = whole milk)
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour (sifted)
  • 1 lemon (grated rind of)

Instructions
 

Step 1: Cream Butter & Sugar

  • Melt the butter.
  • Mix the sugar and melted butter together until smooth.

Step 2: Add Milk

  • Stir in the sweet milk.

Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients

  • Sift the flour with baking powder.
  • Add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients.

Step 4: Add Lemon

  • Grate the rind of one lemon and stir into the batter.

Step 5: Beat and Bake

  • Beat the mixture until quite light.
  • Pour into a greased pan.
  • Bake in a quick oven (approx. 375°F) for 25–30 minutes, or until golden and a toothpick comes out clean.

Tips

  • Add 1 to 2 teaspoons of lemon juice for extra tang.
  • Fold in a handful of blueberries for a summery variation.
  • Dust the finished cake with powdered sugar for a simple topping.
  • Replace half the milk with sour cream for a richer crumb.
  • Add a quick lemon glaze (powdered sugar + lemon juice).
  • Bake as cupcakes; reduce baking time to about 12 to 15 minutes.
  • Add a pinch of salt to enhance the lemon flavor.
  • Use Meyer lemon zest for a softer, floral citrus note.
  • Serve warm with whipped cream for a vintage-style presentation.
  • Swap vanilla sugar for a subtle aromatic twist.

Nutrition

Calories: 195kcalCarbohydrates: 36gProtein: 2gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.2gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 12mgSodium: 1288mgPotassium: 45mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 143IUVitamin C: 7mgCalcium: 73mgIron: 1mg
Keyword citrus cake, classic recipes, from scratch, heirloom recipe, lemon cake, nostalgic food, old-fashioned desserts, vintage baking
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!