Description
This Lemon Blueberry Cake is a moist, tender dessert bursting with juicy blueberries and bright lemon flavor. Topped with a smooth cream cheese frosting, it’s perfect for spring gatherings, Easter brunch, or any occasion that calls for a fresh and flavorful treat.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 cups cake flour (360 grams)
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup buttermilk (180 ml), room temperature
- 1/3 cup lemon juice (80 ml), freshly squeezed
- 1 cup unsalted butter (226 grams), softened to room temperature
- 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar (350 grams)
- 2 tablespoons lemon zest
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 4 large eggs, room temperature
- 2 cups blueberries, preferably fresh
- 2 teaspoons cake flour or all-purpose flour (for tossing blueberries)
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter (168 grams), softened (for frosting)
- 12 oz cream cheese (340 grams), brick-style, full fat
- 1 1/2 teaspoons lemon juice (for frosting)
- 4 1/2 – 5 1/2 cups powdered sugar (495 – 605 grams), sifted
- 1-2 tablespoons whipping cream, as needed
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch cake pan or line three 8-inch round pans with parchment paper and grease the sides.
- Sift together the cake flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl. Whisk and set aside.
- In another bowl, whisk the buttermilk and lemon juice together. Set aside.
- Cream the butter, sugar, and lemon zest in a large bowl for 2-3 minutes until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the vanilla extract, then add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
- On low speed, alternate adding the dry ingredients and milk mixture: 1/3 of the flour, 1/2 of the milk, another 1/3 flour, remaining milk, and then final 1/3 flour. Mix gently and avoid overmixing.
- Toss the blueberries with 2 teaspoons of flour, then gently fold them into the batter using a spatula.
- Pour the batter into prepared pan(s). Bake for 35–40 minutes for a 9×13 pan, or 25–30 minutes for layer cakes. A toothpick inserted should come out clean.
- Let the cake cool completely before frosting. If making a layer cake, wrap cooled layers in plastic and refrigerate to firm up before decorating.
- For the frosting: Beat softened butter and cream cheese together. Add lemon juice, then gradually add powdered sugar. Adjust consistency with whipping cream if needed.
- Frost the cake: For layers, apply a crumb coat, chill for 30 minutes, then finish with a final layer of frosting. For sheet cake, simply frost the top.
Notes
- Use fresh blueberries to prevent bleeding and sinking.
- Always zest lemons before juicing for best flavor extraction.
- Ensure all ingredients are at room temperature before mixing.
- Do not substitute all-purpose flour 1:1 for cake flour—use a proper substitution if needed.
- Cake layers can be made ahead and refrigerated or frozen unfrosted.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (of 15 total)
- Calories: 534 kcal
- Sugar: 50 g
- Sodium: 198 mg
- Fat: 26 g
- Saturated Fat: 16 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 71 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 116 mg