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Close-up of lemon cream cake recipe with whipped cream and lemon zest

Lemon Cream Cake Recipe: The Ultimate Guide to a Light & Zesty Dessert

This lemon cream cake recipe brings sunshine to your table with layers of moist lemon cake, silky lemon cream filling, and airy whipped topping. It’s bright, tangy, and indulgently refreshing—perfect for summer gatherings, brunches, or anytime you need a citrusy pick-me-up.

  • Total Time: 1 hour
  • Yield: 810 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp baking soda
  • Pinch of salt
  • 1 cup unsalted butter
  • 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 tbsp lemon zest
  • 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • For Lemon Cream:
  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream, chilled
  • ¾ cup lemon curd (cooled)
  • ¼ cup powdered sugar
  • ½ tsp lemon zest
  • For Lemon Whipped Cream Topping:
  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 2 tbsp powdered sugar
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice or lemon curd
  • ½ tsp lemon zest

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line two 8-inch round cake pans with parchment.
  2. Sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a bowl.
  3. In a separate bowl, cream butter and sugar until fluffy (3 minutes).
  4. Beat in eggs one at a time. Add lemon zest, juice, and vanilla.
  5. Alternately mix in dry ingredients and buttermilk until combined.
  6. Divide batter into pans and bake 25–28 minutes. Cool completely.
  7. To make lemon cream, whip cream until soft peaks form. Add powdered sugar, then fold in lemon curd and zest. Chill.
  8. To make topping, whip ingredients until stiff peaks form. Set aside.
  9. Layer cooled cakes with lemon cream between. Top with lemon whipped cream.
  10. Garnish with lemon zest, slices, or edible flowers. Chill before serving.

Notes

For gluten-free version, use a gluten-free baking mix. Add fresh berries or brush layers with Limoncello for variation. Store covered in the fridge up to 4 days. Make cream ahead, but whip topping fresh before serving for best texture.

  • Author: Ava
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 28 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baked
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 slice
  • Calories: 390
  • Sugar: 28g
  • Sodium: 210mg
  • Fat: 23g
  • Saturated Fat: 14g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 42g
  • Fiber: 0g
  • Protein: 5g
  • Cholesterol: 100mg

Keywords: lemon cream cake, citrus cake, whipped cream cake, summer dessert, lemon layer cake, easy lemon cake