28 Lemon Cake Recipes That Require A Second Slice

Photography: Caitlin Bensel, Food Styling: Karen Rankin
Photography: Caitlin Bensel, Food Styling: Karen Rankin

There's something about a bright, citrusy lemon cake that is almost universally appealing. It's perfectly appropriate for a fresh dessert after a hearty comfort food supper when the weather is chilly, and utterly delightful as a light finish to a summertime meal. From impressive layer cakes to easy as one-two-three-pound cakes, this roundup of lemon cake recipes has something for everyone and every skill level.

Our Dreamy Lemon Cheesecake is heaven on a plate. You will not be able to resist its fluffy texture and melt-in-your-mouth crust. Why not rise and shine to a delicious slice of our Lemon Loaf Cake? It pairs wonderfully with a hot cup of coffee. If you have a cake plate that is begging for a friend, look no further than our Lemon-Lime Pound Cake. It is so easy and so delicious that you'll be baking it up over and over. That cake plate may never be empty again.

Lemon Lush

<p>Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist: Lydia Pursell</p>

Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist: Lydia Pursell

This no-bake cake is perfect for hot summer days when it's just not possible to turn on the oven.

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Easter Egg Lemon Cake With Whipped Cream Topping

<p>Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Stylist: Mary Clayton Carl Jones</p>

Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Stylist: Mary Clayton Carl Jones

When decorated as pictured, this is the perfect Easter lemon sheet cake, but swap up the decor, and it's a year-round crowd-pleaser.

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Lemon-Blueberry Sheet Cake

<p>Jessica Furniss</p>

Jessica Furniss

This sheet cake is as tasty as it is beautiful. It's zingy, citrusy, and bright, and the pink-purply whipped frosting gets its color naturally from pureed blueberries, yet still has an intense lemony flavor. In just one hour of hands-time, you'll have created a delicious and colorful cake that will feed up to two dozen.

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Lemon Loaf Cake

Photography: Caitlin Bensel, Food Styling: Karen Rankin
Photography: Caitlin Bensel, Food Styling: Karen Rankin

This bright, tender cake is the perfect companion to a morning cup of coffee, afternoon tea, or delicious dinner. Plus, it can be made in advance and frozen for up to three months for when you need a last-minute treat.

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Toomer's Lemonade Sheet Cake

<p>Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist: Christina Dailey</p>

Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist: Christina Dailey

Inspire by Auburn football, this luscious lemon sheet cake is delicious no matter what team you're rooting for.

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Lemon Tiramisu

Photographer Victor Protasio, Food Stylist Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist Heather Chadduck
Photographer Victor Protasio, Food Stylist Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist Heather Chadduck

This recipe proves that tiramisu is a more versatile dessert than you might think. Instead of coffee flavors, this version focuses on the bright flavor of lemon.

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Lemon Meringue Cheesecake

<p>Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox</p>

Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Cheesecakes come in many forms, but we think this recipe, which blends the cream cheese dessert with lemon meringue pie, is a real winner.

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Lemon-Coconut Cake

Photographer: Greg DuPree, Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn
Photographer: Greg DuPree, Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn

A traditional coconut layer cake is already great on its own, but with the brightness of lemon, the dessert is taken to the next level.

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Dreamy Lemon Cheesecake

Jennifer Causey
Jennifer Causey

Make sure to cook this cheesecake in a water bath to ensure it doesn't crack.

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Lemon-Orange Pound Cake

<p>Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Ana Kelly</p>

Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Ana Kelly

Get a double dose of citrus with this pound cake, finished with two beautiful glazes for an extra impressive affect.

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Lemon Bar Cake

Jennifer Davick; Food Styling: Vanessa Rocchio; Prop Styling: Missie Crawford
Jennifer Davick; Food Styling: Vanessa Rocchio; Prop Styling: Missie Crawford

The gooey center and chewy crust on this lemon cake make one dynamic combination. Finish with a dusting of powdered sugar right before serving.

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Lemon Pound Cake

There's nothing like a classic lemon pound cake. If you don't already have a trusted recipe (or even if you do), we think you should give ours a try.

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Lemon-Vanilla Pound Cake with Lavender Glaze

Hector Manuel Sanchez
Hector Manuel Sanchez

You can skip the Lavender Glaze, but why would you want to do a thing like that? It's sweet, fresh, and utterly decadent when spread atop our Lemon-Vanilla Pound Cake.

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The Lemon Cheese Layer Cake

Hector Manuel Sanchez
Hector Manuel Sanchez

Don't let the name fool you: This is no cheesecake. But it is absolutely delicious.

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Luscious Lemon Cake

Jennifer Davick
Jennifer Davick

For a casual look just frost the top of the cake and in between the layers.

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Lemon Bundt Cake

This tangy cake with a sweet glaze will become your go-to recipe for every occasion.

Lemon Bundt Cake

Lemon-Orange Chiffon Cake

Jennifer Davick
Jennifer Davick

If you're looking for an impressive dessert, you've found it. For a ladies' lunch, bridal tea, or baby shower, our Lemon-Orange Chiffon Cake is a winner.

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Lemon-and-Chocolate Doberge Cake

Photo: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Cindy Barr; Food Styling: Torie Cox
Photo: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Cindy Barr; Food Styling: Torie Cox

If you think chocolate and lemon don't belong together in one dessert, this cake will prove otherwise.

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Lemon-Lime Pound Cake

Hector Manuel Sanchez
Hector Manuel Sanchez

Ever heard of 7UP pound cake? This is our updated version to the classic Southern staple.

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Strawberry-Lemonade Layer Cake

To make this recipe ahead, you can wrap the cooled layers in plastic wrap and aluminum foil and freeze for up to a month.

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Lemon Raspberry Cake

Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Melissa Gray; Prop Styling: Missie Neville Crawford
Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Melissa Gray; Prop Styling: Missie Neville Crawford

Make the most of fresh lemons and raspberries by making this refreshing layer cake.

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Strawberry-Lemonade Cupcakes

Photographer: Jennifer Causey Food Stylist: Melissa Gray Prop Stylist: Heather Chadduck Hillegas
Photographer: Jennifer Causey Food Stylist: Melissa Gray Prop Stylist: Heather Chadduck Hillegas

Transform a box of cake mix into a delightful treat that's perfectly portioned for guests. Fresh berries, lemon slices, or pink and yellow sprinkles make beautiful garnishes for these cupcakes.

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Blueberry-Lemon Cake

Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis
Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

No artificial dyes here! The beautiful frosting on this layered confection gets its natural hue from fresh pureed blueberries.

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Raspberry-Lemon Cheesecake

Photographer: Jennifer Causey Food Stylist: Melissa Gray Prop Stylist: Heather Chadduck Hillegas
Photographer: Jennifer Causey Food Stylist: Melissa Gray Prop Stylist: Heather Chadduck Hillegas

This wow-worthy cheesecake is the ideal make-ahead recipe for the holidays. Simply prepare it the day before your gathering and chill until it's time to serve!

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Lemon Cake with Lemon-Thyme Frosting

Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Mary Clayton Carl Jones
Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Mary Clayton Carl Jones

No one will realize this gorgeous cake started with a box of mix. A homemade lemon-thyme buttercream dresses it right up.

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Lemon-Lime Poke Cake

Greg DuPree; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis
Greg DuPree; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

Poke cakes are the most delicious way to serve up a moist dessert that feeds a crowd. The flavor combination of lemon and lime screams summer.

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Lemon Cupcakes with Raspberry Buttercream

Jennifer Causey
Jennifer Causey

Soft lemon cupcakes are a gorgeous match for raspberry buttercream. Even though this recipe makes a dozen, it comes with a warning: You'll want to double it!

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Lemon Blueberry Pound Cake

Jennifer Causey
Jennifer Causey

This sweet, tangy pound cake will brighten anyone's day. Fresh blueberries and lemon are showcased in both the cake and glaze.

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