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Lemon Blueberry Cake topped with Cream Cheese Frosting sliced on a plate

Lemon Blueberry Cake

A delightful dessert combining the zesty brightness of lemons with fresh blueberries, topped with rich cream cheese frosting. Perfect for any occasion.
Servings 12 servings
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes

Ingredients

For the Cake

  • 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 (fresh recommended)
  • 2 teaspoons cake flour or all-purpose flour (for tossing blueberries)

For the Cream Cheese Frosting

  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter (112 grams), softened
  • 8 oz cream cheese (brick-style, 226 grams)
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
  • 3-4 cups powdered sugar (sifted, 330-440 grams)
  • 1 tablespoon whipping cream (as needed)

Additional Frosting Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup unsalted butter (168 grams), softened
  • 12 oz cream cheese (brick-style, full fat, 340 grams)
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
  • 4 1/2 – 5 1/2 cups powdered sugar (495 – 605 grams, sifted)
  • 1-2 tablespoons whipping cream (as needed)

Instructions

Preparation

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch cake pan, or line the bottom of layer cake tins with parchment paper and grease the sides.
  • In a medium bowl, sift together the cake flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Whisk to combine and set aside.
  • Combine the buttermilk and freshly squeezed lemon juice in a separate bowl, whisking them together to create a slightly thickened mixture. Set aside.
  • In a large bowl, beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, and lemon zest until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes using an electric mixer.
  • Beat in the vanilla extract. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition, scraping down the bowl sides after each egg.

Batter Preparation

  • With the mixer on low, add about one-third of the flour mixture, then half of the buttermilk-lemon juice mixture. Turn off the mixer and scrape the bowl. Repeat with another third of the flour and the rest of the buttermilk mixture. Finally, beat in the last third of the flour mixture.
  • Toss the blueberries with 2 teaspoons of flour to prevent sinking. Gently fold them into the batter with a spatula or rubber spoon.

Baking

  • Pour the batter into the prepared pan(s). Bake for 30-35 minutes for a 9×13 inch pan or 25-30 minutes for layer cakes, until the top is set and a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
  • Let the cakes cool in the pans. For layer cakes, avoid inverting while still hot to prevent breakage.

Frosting Preparation

  • Beat the butter until soft, then add cream cheese and mix until smooth. Add lemon juice, then gradually beat in powdered sugar, adjusting frosting thickness with whipping cream as needed.

Assembling the Cake

  • For a 9×13 inch cake, frost the cooled cake and optionally garnish with blueberries and lemon slices. For layer cakes, level domed tops if necessary, frost between layers, and crumb coat the entire cake. Chill for 20-30 minutes, then finish frosting the top and sides with swirls. Optionally decorate with blueberries.
  • Slice with a thin, sharp knife to serve.

Notes

Serve at room temperature, either on its own or paired with vanilla ice cream. Garnish with extra blueberries or fresh lemon slices for presentation. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week or freeze individual slices for up to three months.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 350kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 4gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 9gSodium: 200mgFiber: 1gSugar: 25g
Calories: 350kcal
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Baking, Cream Cheese Frosting, Dessert Recipe, Fruit Cake, Lemon Blueberry Cake