Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (room temperature)
- 3 large eggs
- 1/2 cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
- 1/2 cup limoncello liqueur
- Zest of 2 fresh lemons
- Juice of 2 fresh lemons
Glaze
- Powdered sugar (quantity about 1 cup, adjust as needed)
- Lemon juice (about 2-3 tbsp for glaze)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9-inch round cake pan to ensure the cake releases easily after baking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Set this mixture aside while you prepare the wet ingredients.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, use a mixer to cream the unsalted butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy, which should take about 3 to 5 minutes. This helps aerate the batter for a tender texture.
- Add Eggs and Lemon Zest: Add the eggs one at a time to the butter and sugar mixture, beating thoroughly after each addition. Then mix in the lemon zest until fully combined to distribute the citrus flavor evenly.
- Incorporate Sour Cream, Lemon Juice, and Limoncello: Gently fold in the sour cream (or Greek yogurt), freshly squeezed lemon juice, and limoncello liqueur. Mix just until the ingredients are combined to avoid overworking the batter.
- Pour and Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and smooth the top with a spatula. Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes or until the cake is golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool and Glaze: Let the cake cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely. Prepare a glaze by mixing powdered sugar with lemon juice until the desired consistency is reached, then drizzle this over the cooled cake for a bright finish.
Notes
- You can substitute sour cream with Greek yogurt for a slightly tangier taste and lighter texture.
- Allow the cake to cool completely before glazing to prevent the glaze from melting off.
- Use fresh lemons for the best flavor impact in both zest and juice.
- For a non-alcoholic version, substitute the limoncello liqueur with lemon juice or lemon syrup.
- Store the cake covered at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian