• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • About
  • Recipe Index
  • Mug Cake Recipes
  • Military Care Packages
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • About
  • Recipe Index
  • Mug Cake Recipes
  • Military Care Packages
  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclaimer
    • Bloglovin
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Quick Bread/ Loaves

    Italian Lemon Pound Cake

    By Wendy Sondov · Published: Apr 25, 2020 · This post may contain affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Jump to Recipe

    Italian Lemon Pound Cake is a delicious citrus treat any time of day and makes a particularly cheerful gift, sort of like sharing a bit of sunshine. The soft, dense cake is topped with two layers of lemony goodness, lemon syrup and lemon glaze, ensuring lots of flavor in every bite!

    Iced Lemon Loaf sliced to show soft, dense interior.

    Why you'll love this recipe

    This super lemony loaf has the soft, dense crumb unique to pound cake. Two additional lemony layers, a syrup and a glaze, provide extra flavor and extra moisture that help keep the loaf from drying out.

    This is a cake recipe you should bake when you are looking for a luscious citrus treat to enjoy with your tea and when you want to bake a gift that will brighten the day.

    I baked this recipe as five mini lemon loaves, ideal for mailing of gifting. The delicious citrus loaf can also be baked as two regular sized loaves.

    If you love this glazed fruity loaf, next time try Cherry Bread another moist quick bread with a beautiful pink glaze.

    Instructions

    This is an overview of the instructions. The full instructions are in the recipe card below.

    Collage for baking process: flour pans, fill with batter, bake until golden.
    Collage of icing the loaves: set loaves on rack, brush with syrup, top with glaze.
    1. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, baking powder, and baking soda.
    2. In a separate bowl, combine the buttermilk, lemon juice, and vanilla.
    3. In the bowl of a stand mixer, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
    4. Add the eggs, one at a time, and the lemon zest.
    5. Alternate adding the flour and buttermilk mixtures to the batter.
    6. Pour batter evenly into the pans. This batter will fill 5- 5 ½ inch mini loaf pans or 2- 9” inch loaf pans Use a spatula to smooth the tops.
    7. Bake mini loaves for 30-35 minutes and regular loaves for 45-55 minutes. Loaves are ready when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
    8. Cool the cakes completely before removing from the pan.
    9. Make the lemon syrup by combining lemon juice and granulated sugar and stirring until the sugar dissolves.
    10. Brush the tops of the loaves, coating completely with the syrup.
    11. Let set for 30 minutes or until dry.
    12. To make the lemon glaze, whisk together the confectioners’ sugar, lemon juice, and butter until smooth.
    13. Spread the glaze over the tops of the loaves.

    Storage

    Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week. Individually wrapping each cake in wax paper, then plastic wrap will help retain moisture in the loaves.

    Baking tips

    • Zest the lemons first, then squeeze the lemons for the required juice. I love using my Microplane to quickly and easily create fine zest that never digs into the bitter white pith.
    • For the best tangy lemon flavor, don’t skimp on the ⅓ cup of lemon zest added to the batter. You will need 6-8 lemons (depending on size) which are used for both zest and for juice.
    • This recipe can also be used in one 10-inch Bundt pan.
    Two mini loaves wrapped for gifting with wrapping paper and ribbon.

    Tips for gifting and shipping

    • Do NOT ship lemon cake in hot weather. Moist, sugary cake will mold quickly in the heat.
    • The extra step of brushing on the lemon syrup makes these loaves good for cool weather, short distance (up to 5 travel days) care packages. The syrup provides extra moisture to help keep the loaves fresh longer.
    • Well wrapped to seal out as much air as possible, these loaves stay fresh for up to 1 week.
    • These loaves make lovely gifts whether removed from baking pans or gifted inside baking pans or disposable foil pans.
    • For mailing in care packages, wrap each loaf in wax paper followed by plastic wrap. Then place the  wrapped loaves in a freezer weight ziplock bag. Squeeze out as much air as possible before sealing the bag.
    • For a pretty, in-person gifting presentation, wrap each loaf or pan with a strip of wax paper then a strip of colorful ribbon or wrapping paper. Place the wrapped loaf into a clear cellophane bag and tie closed.
    Lemon cake slices with a mug of tea and lemon slices.

    More lemon recipes

    Lemon Biscotti are the perfect biscuit to have with hot or cold tea. Crunchy and refreshing!
    Lemon and Lime Butter Cookie Rosettes are both beautiful and delicious. They make a wonderful Mother's Day gift.

    Italian Easter Cookies, Taralli Dolci Di Pasqua, are coated in a crisp, lemon icing. So pretty and delicious!
    Lemon Shrewsbury Biscuits are a popular British biscuit to serve at tea time. Their pretty design is fun and easy to create.

    Italian Lemon Cookies are like soft lemon pillows!

    Close up of loaf with lemon yellow slice of cake topped with light yellow lemon glaze .

    My experience with this recipe

    Recently, I shared an Instagram Story about my favorite baking cookbooks and asked for recommendations for books I should add to my collection. I received a bunch of great suggestions which I bought or borrowed from the library.

    My blogging friend Cindy from Salt and Serenity is a baker extraordinaire. When she suggested "Bobbette and Belle, Classic Recipes from the Celebrated Pastry Shop", I knew it would be a winner.

    I’ve enjoyed everything I’ve baked from the book so far, and a big bonus is that several of the recipes are adaptable for shipping and gifting. If you are looking for a cookbook with everything from cookies to fancy cakes, you are sure to enjoy this one.

    This recipe for Italian lemon pound cake is adapted just slightly from "Bobbette and Belle". Though not a good choice for long distance or hot weather shipping, these little tea cakes are wonderful gifts for nearby friends and neighbors.

    Ready to bake? Join the free membership group to get new recipes and a newsletter delivered to your inbox! You can also stay in touch on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram. I’d love to stay in touch!

    Iced Lemon Loaf sliced to show soft, dense interior.

    Italian Lemon Pound Cake Recipe

    This moist lemon cake is topped with two both lemon syrup and lemon glaze, ensuring lots of flavor in every bite! 
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Rate
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 25 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 35 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 1 hour hour
    Servings: 5 mini loaves
    Calories: 1214kcal
    Author: Wendy Sondov
    Adapted From: "Bobbette & Belle" cookbook

    Ingredients

    LOAVES

    • 3 cups all-purpose flour
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • ½ teaspoon baking soda
    • ½ teaspoon baking powder
    • ¾ cup buttermilk room temperature
    • ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 1 cup unsalted butter room temperature
    • 2 cups granulated sugar
    • 4 large eggs room temperature
    • ⅓ cup lemon zest from 6-8 lemons

    SYRUP

    • 1 ½ tablespoons lemon juice
    • 3 tablespoons granulated sugar

    GLAZE

    • 2 cups confectioner’s sugar
    • ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
    • 1 teaspoon unsalted butter melted

    Instructions

    LOAVES

    • Preheat the oven to 350° F. Butter and flour 2- 9” loaf pans or 5- 5 ½ ” mini loaf pans.
    • In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, baking powder, and baking soda.
    • In a large measuring cup, combine the buttermilk, lemon juice, and vanilla.
    • In the bowl of an electric mixer, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
    • Lower the mixer speed and add the eggs, one at a time. Then mix in the lemon zest.
    • Alternate adding the flour and buttermilk mixtures to the batter.
    • Divide the cake batter evenly between the pans. Fill each mini loaf pan with approximately 1 heaping cup of batter. Batter should be ¾”-1” from the top of each mini loaf pan. Use a spatula to smooth the tops.
    • Bake mini loaves for 30-35 minutes and regular loaves for 45-55 minutes. Loaves are ready when a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean.
    • Place the pans on wire racks to cool completely before removing the loaves.

    LEMON SYRUP

    • In a small mixing bowl, combine lemon juice and granulated sugar. Microwave for about 30 seconds. Stir until the sugar is dissolved into the juice.
    • Brush the tops of the loaves, coating the tops completely with the syrup.
    • Let set for 30 minutes or until dry or just slightly tacky to the touch.

    LEMON GLAZE

    • Whisk together the confectioners’ sugar, lemon juice, and butter until smooth.
    • Spread the glaze over the tops of the loaves.
    • Allow the glaze to set completely, about 1 hour, before wrapping or storing.
    • Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week. Individually wrapping each cake in wax paper, then plastic wrap will help retain moisture in the loaves.

    Notes

    • Zest the lemons first, then squeeze the lemons for the required juice. I love using my Microplane to quickly and easily create fine zest that never digs into the bitter white pith.
    • For the best tangy lemon flavor, don’t skimp on the ⅓ cup of lemon zest added to the batter. You will need 6-8 lemons (depending on size) which are used for both zest and for juice.
    • This recipe can also be used to produce one Bundt cake.
    Packing tips
    Wrap loaves in wax paper, then in plastic wrap. Place loaves in a freezer weight ziplock bag or plastic storage container. Moist loaves ship best in cool weather.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 1214kcal | Carbohydrates: 198g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 43g | Saturated Fat: 26g | Cholesterol: 235mg | Sodium: 714mg | Potassium: 224mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 137g | Vitamin A: 1409IU | Vitamin C: 19mg | Calcium: 115mg | Iron: 4mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @TheMondayBox or tag #themondaybox!

    First Published: April 25, 2020. Last Updated: February 17, 2022. Updated for additional information and better reader experience.

    You might also like:

    Chocolate Marble Pound Cake Honey Applesauce Cake Closeup of sliced Cranberry Loaf .Ocean Spray Cranberry Orange Bread Bob Evans Cherry Bread Recipe
    « Chocolate Mint Biscotti
    Cranberry White Chocolate Cookies »
    • Share
    • Tweet

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Cindy

      April 26, 2020 at 2:43 pm

      Wendy, so glad you got the Bobbette & Belle book. If you ever go to Toronto, you have to visit their bakery. I have not tried the lemon loaf yet, but you've convinced me to add it to my "bake next" list. I love how you wrapped them for shipping. That lemon paper is adorable.

      Reply
      • Wendy Sondov

        April 26, 2020 at 6:12 pm

        Thanks for the great book recommendation, Cindy! I have your suggested recipes bookmarked, but when I saw that the authors were recommending this loaf for gifting I jumped on it. That and the fact that I absolutely LOVE lemon loaf. The lemon paper was luck. Sheltering at home had me shopping in my basement for wrapping with a spring-like pattern and there was a whole roll of this paper that had been waiting for just this purpose for years! Hoarders luck 😉 I would love to make it to Toronto and to the bakery, when the world gets back on track!

        Reply
    2. Sally

      April 26, 2020 at 1:26 pm

      Hi Wendy,
      This Lemon Loaf looks absolutely delicious. I was wondering if you have ever made them as cupcakes? If so would you please advise how long to bake this refreshing lemony goodness?

      Reply
      • Wendy Sondov

        April 26, 2020 at 6:06 pm

        Hi, Sally! I haven't made these as cupcakes, but I am pretty sure they would be delicious. However, keep in mind that they will probably be more like a dense muffin rather than a fluffy cupcake. (In my opinion that means you can eat cupcakes for breakfast! 😉 ) I am going to guess that cupcakes will take about 20 minutes to bake, but I as I haven't tried, please watch them carefully and test for doneness with a toothpick. Happy baking!

        Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    I'm Wendy, a baker, care package maker, and smile creator. On The Monday Box you’ll find care package inspiration and recipes for delicious treats that make it easy for you to share home baked love. Let’s spread happiness, one cookie at a time!

    More about me →

    Patriotic treats

    • Spritz Cookies Recipe with Shortening
    • 4th of July Cookies
    • Spiral Sparkler and Flag Cookies for Military Care Package #14
      Spiral Sparkler and Flag Cookies
    • White mug cake with star sprinkles and pie filling.
      Red, White, and Blueberry Mug Cake
    • Sliced open brownie with an Oreo cookie in the middle, filled with red, white and blue frosting.
      4th of July Brownies
    Favorite Biscotti Recipes

    Most Popular

    • Closeup of raisin biscuit squares with golden crust speckled with raisins.
      Golden Raisin Biscuit Cookies
    • Honey Applesauce Cake
    • Espresso Chocolate Shortbread Cookies- melt-in-your-mouth buttery shortbread made even better with added espresso and chocolate! | The Monday Box
      Espresso Chocolate Shortbread Cookies
    • Chocolate cake mix mug cakes and bowls of cake toppings
      Cake Mix Mug Cake
    Amazing 1 Minute Mug Cakes

    Footer

    ^ back to top

    About

    Contact

    Privacy Policy

    Disclaimer

    As Seen On

    Copyright © 2012 - 2023 The Monday Box, All Rights Reserved.