Easy lemon cake recipes

Lemon layer cake

This lemon sponge cake, with a delicious lemon curd icing and beautiful edible crystallised violets and primroses on top, is a real showstopper. It'd make a great celebration cake.

Vegan lemon drizzle cake

Try this spongy and zingy vegan lemon cake made without eggs, milk or butter. The key to that lemony tang is a decent lemon extract (we use Nielsen-Massey).

Petersham lemon and poppyseed cake

This moist, moreish cake from Petersham Nurseries is given a citrussy hit due to the lemon-infused icing, with poppy seeds adding a satisfying crunch.

Lemon cupcakes

These cute little lemon cupcakes would work well for a kids party, baby shower or just a treat to serve with afternoon tea. The lemon zest topping is a great finishing touch.

Olive oil and lemon cake

Serve a slice of sunshine with this lemon-scented cake made with ground almonds and extra-virgin olive oil, dusted with icing sugar.

Lemon polenta cake

This lemon polenta cake is a dense, rich cake with a boozy limoncello syrup. A great way to zest up an afternoon tea or coffee break.

Lemon and blueberry cake

This lemon and blueberry poke cake is sure to be a hit with the whole family. With lemon sponge, blueberry compote and a cream cheese frosting, it's an impressive bake that's surprisingly easy to make.

Lemon drizzle loaf cake

The lemon drizzle loaf is a classic – and that's for a reason. Amalfi lemons from Italy have an intense aroma and flavour that makes this version even better, but you can use regular ones too. Dress it up even further with some tart candied peel.

Lemon meringue cupcakes

Spread some love with these lemon meringue cupcakes, whose zesty sponge is topped with a sweet frosting and meringue hearts. It only takes an hour of hands-on time to make them, too.

Lemon and almond cake

Give our Italian almond and lemon cake a go, using Amalfi lemons for their intense aroma, and slightly sweeter flavour. This light, summery cake is seriously moreish – a real crowd-pleaser.