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A slice of moist Lemon Blueberry Cake on a white plate, topped with a sweet lemon glaze and fresh blueberries.

Zesty Lemon Blueberry Cake

This showstopper cake features an incredibly moist, tender crumb bursting with juicy blueberries and a vibrant lemon flavor. Crowned with a simple lemon glaze, it's an elegant yet comforting dessert that's secretly simple to create.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 8
Course: Brunch, Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American
Calories: 420

Ingredients
  

  • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, plus 1 tablespoon for blueberries
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
  • 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup vegetable oil
  • 3 large eggs, at room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup buttermilk, at room temperature
  • 2 large lemons, for zest and juice
  • 1 1/2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 2-3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, for glaze

Equipment

  • 9-inch round cake pan
  • Parchment paper
  • Stand mixer or hand mixer
  • Large mixing bowl
  • Medium mixing bowl
  • Small bowl
  • Whisk
  • Spatula
  • Wire cooling rack
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Toothpick or wooden skewer

Method
 

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9-inch round cake pan, or line the bottom with parchment paper and grease the sides.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together 2 1/2 cups of flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
  3. In a large bowl using a stand mixer or hand mixer, beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, and the zest of two lemons on medium-high speed for 3-4 minutes until light, pale, and fluffy.
  4. Scrape down the sides of the bowl. Add the vegetable oil and beat until combined. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract and 2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice. The mixture may look curdled; this is normal.
  5. With the mixer on low speed, add the flour mixture in three parts, alternating with the buttermilk in two parts, beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Mix only until just combined; do not overmix.
  6. In a small bowl, gently toss the blueberries with the remaining 1 tablespoon of flour. Using a spatula, gently fold the coated blueberries into the batter.
  7. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake for 35-45 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs attached.
  8. Let the cake cool in the pan on a wire rack for 15-20 minutes. Then, carefully invert it onto the rack to cool completely.
  9. Once the cake is cool, prepare the glaze. In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and 2 tablespoons of lemon juice until smooth. Add more juice if you prefer a thinner glaze. Drizzle the glaze over the top of the cooled cake.

Notes

Expert Tips: For the best texture, ensure your butter, eggs, and buttermilk are all at room temperature. Be careful not to overmix the batter after adding the flour, as this can result in a tough cake. Always zest lemons before juicing them.
Variations: Add a crumble topping by combining 1/2 cup flour, 1/4 cup brown sugar, and 4 tbsp cold butter. This batter can also be baked in a 9x5 inch loaf pan for 50-60 minutes, or as cupcakes for 18-22 minutes.
Storage: Store the cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.