Old Fashioned Lemon Pound Cake

If you’re a lemon lover, this Old Fashioned Lemon Pound Cake is your dream come true. The triple-threat of lemon juice, zest, and extract ensures that every slice is packed with citrusy goodness. But wait, there’s more! We’ve also included lemon juice in the icing. Whether you’re making it for a book club or a holiday gathering, you can never go wrong with our take on this classic.

Need more lemon desserts in your life? Try our 5 Ingredient Lemon Bars or Old Fashioned Creamy Lemon Pie.

Traditionally, pound cake is made with 1 pound each of flour, sugar, butter, and eggs. By replacing some of the butter with cream cheese, we get a velvety density that helps keep this pound cake moist. Make it in a bundt pan, a tube pan, or two loaf pans. It’ll be delicious no matter what shape it comes in!

Ingredient Notes

• Salted Butter: If you only have unsalted butter, just add 1/4 teaspoon of salt to the batter.
• Cream Cheese: Be sure to use full-fat cream cheese for the best texture and richness. It needs to be softened to room temperature along with the butter.
• Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed lemon juice is strongly preferred for the best flavor. Bottled lemon juice is muted.
• Lemon Zest: Make sure to zest the lemons before juicing them. Stick with the yellow parts and avoid grating into the white pith, as it can add bitterness.
• Lemon Extract: This adds an extra punch of lemon flavor. It’s sold in the baking aisle near the vanilla extract.
• Vanilla Extract: Even though this is a lemon-forward cake, vanilla extract adds a smoothness that enhances the flavor of the lemon.
• All-Purpose Flour: Stick with all-purpose for this one. Cake flour shouldn’t be used in pound cakes.

Pan Options

Bundt Pan (10–12 cup capacity): Grease and flour the pan well, especially in all the detailed crevices. The batter fits perfectly in a 10 to 12-cup bundt pan. Bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes to 1 hour and 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Tube Pan (9-inch diameter, 12-cup capacity): Similar to a bundt pan but with straight, smooth sides, a tube pan is another great option. Be sure to grease and flour the pan thoroughly. The bake time will be similar to the bundt pan, around 1 hour and 15 minutes to 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Loaf Pans (two 9 x 5-inch pans): Divide the batter between two loaf pans. Grease and flour the pans as usual. For loaf pans, the baking time will be a bit shorter, around 60 to 70 minutes. Begin checking for doneness at the 60-minute mark by inserting a toothpick into the center—if it comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs, it’s done.

Important: Grease Your Pans

When using a bundt cake pan, it’s crucial to grease the pan thoroughly to prevent sticking, especially with a dense cake like this pound cake. Because of the intricate design and curves of bundt pans, missing any spots can cause parts of the cake to stick.

Shortening or Butter with Flour: The most reliable method is to generously grease the pan with shortening or softened butter. Make sure you coat every little ridge and crevice, then dust it evenly with flour. Tap out any excess flour.

Pan Release Mixture (DIY): Another great option is making your own “pan release” or “cake goop.” This is a simple mixture of equal parts shortening, vegetable oil, and flour. Stir it until smooth, then brush it generously onto every surface of the pan.

Store-bought Non-stick Baking Spray with Flour: You can use a non-stick baking spray that includes flour, like Baker’s Joy or Pam with Flour. Make sure to coat the pan evenly, spraying thoroughly into all the nooks and crannies to prevent any sticking. It’s the least effective of the three options, but it’s better than nothing!

Watch the video below where Rachel will walk you through every step of this recipe. Sometimes it helps to have a visual, and we’ve always got you covered with our cooking show. You can find the complete collection of recipes on YouTube, our Facebook Page, or right here on our website with their corresponding recipes.