Lemon Blueberry Layer Cake Recipe

The Zesty Lemon Blueberry Layer Cake Recipe You’ll Adore

Crafting a delectable lemon blueberry layer cake promises pure culinary magic that brightens any gathering.

Sweet berry nuances dance alongside bright citrus notes in this gorgeous dessert.

Delicate layers promise sophisticated flavor combinations that surprise and delight.

Tangy lemons infuse remarkable depth into soft, pillowy cake textures.

Juicy blueberries scattered throughout create unexpected bursts of natural sweetness.

Seasonal ingredients elevate this classic treat into something extraordinary.

Each slice tells a story of careful preparation and genuine passion.

You’ll want to savor every remarkable moment of creating this memorable confection.

Why Lemon Blueberry Layer Cake Stands Out

  • Craft a Stunning Dessert: Impress guests and family with a beautiful, professional-looking layer cake that screams homemade elegance without requiring advanced baking skills.
  • Burst with Fresh Flavor Combinations: Enjoy the perfect balance of tangy lemon and sweet blueberries, creating a refreshing taste that dances on your taste buds and feels like a celebration of summer.
  • Master a Crowd-Pleasing Showstopper: Prepare a versatile cake that works brilliantly for birthdays, brunches, potlucks, or any special gathering where you want to wow everyone with minimal complicated techniques.
  • Simple Ingredient Transformation: Turn basic pantry staples into a stunning dessert that looks and tastes like it came from a fancy bakery, making you feel like a culinary superstar with just a few mixing steps.

What Goes Into Lemon Blueberry Layer Cake

Cake Base Ingredients:
  • All-Purpose Flour: The fundamental dry ingredient that provides structure to the cake.
  • Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a tender cake texture.
  • Unsalted Butter: Creates a rich and moist cake base with a smooth flavor.
  • Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and provide richness and structure.
  • Milk: Adds moisture and helps create a soft, tender cake crumb.
Leavening Agents:
  • Baking Powder, Baking Soda, Salt: Ensure the cake rises properly and balances the flavors.
Flavor Enhancers:
  • Fresh Blueberries, Lemon Zest: Provide bright, fresh flavors and bursts of fruity sweetness throughout the cake.
Frosting Ingredients:
  • Cream Cheese, Powdered Sugar: Create a smooth, creamy, and sweet frosting base.
  • Heavy Cream: Adds lightness and helps create a fluffy frosting texture.
  • Vanilla Extract, Salt: Enhance and balance the overall flavor of the frosting.

Baking Instructions for Lemon Blueberry Layer Cake

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Crank the oven to a toasty 350°F and get your cake pans ready. Grease two 9-inch round pans and line them with parchment paper for easy cake removal.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

Grab a medium bowl and sift together:
  • All-purpose flour
  • Baking powder
  • Baking soda
  • Salt

Ensure everything is well combined and lump-free.

Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar

In a large mixing bowl, beat softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture becomes light, fluffy, and looks like a cloud. This should take about 3-4 minutes of good mixing.

Step 4: Add Eggs

Crack eggs into the butter mixture one at a time. Mix thoroughly after each egg, making sure each is fully incorporated before adding the next.

Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Slowly fold the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients. Alternate adding dry ingredients with milk, mixing gently until just combined. Avoid overmixing.

Step 6: Enhance the Batter

Sprinkle in fresh lemon zest and gently fold in half of the blueberries. Give the batter a delicate stir to distribute evenly.

Step 7: Prepare for Baking

Divide the batter equally between the prepared cake pans. Smooth the tops with a spatula to ensure even baking.

Step 8: Bake to Perfection

Pop the pans into the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center – it should come out clean.

Step 9: Cool Down

Let the cakes rest in their pans for 10 minutes. Then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 10: Whip Up the Frosting

Beat cream cheese until silky smooth. Gradually add:
  • Powdered sugar
  • Vanilla extract
  • Salt

Fold in heavy cream to create a light, airy frosting.

Step 11: Assemble the Cake

Once cakes are completely cool, spread frosting between layers. Sprinkle the remaining blueberries into the filling.

Step 12: Frost and Decorate

Cover the entire cake with the remaining frosting. Garnish the top and sides with extra blueberries and a sprinkle of lemon zest.

Step 13: Chill and Serve

Refrigerate the cake for at least an hour to let the frosting set. Slice and enjoy your delightful lemon blueberry creation!

Tips for a Gorgeous Lemon Blueberry Layer Cake

  • Boost Blueberry Flavor: Toss fresh blueberries in a light dusting of flour before folding into the batter to prevent sinking during baking.
  • Zest Maximization: Use a microplane grater to create fine, fragrant lemon zest that distributes evenly throughout the cake for maximum citrus flavor.
  • Prevent Dry Cake: Do not overmix the batter; mix just until ingredients are combined to maintain a tender, moist cake texture.
  • Stabilize Frosting: Chill cream cheese and heavy cream before whipping to ensure a stable, smooth frosting that holds its shape perfectly.
  • Room Temperature Ingredients: Allow butter, eggs, and milk to reach room temperature before mixing to create a more uniform and smoother cake batter.

Lemon Blueberry Layer Cake Ideas & Add-Ons

  • Lavender Lemon Blueberry Cake: Infuse the batter with dried lavender flowers for a subtle floral note that complements the lemon and blueberry flavors.
  • Gluten-Free Blueberry Lemon Cake: Substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend and add xanthan gum to maintain the cake's structure and texture.
  • Blueberry Cream Cheese Muffins: Transform the recipe into individual muffins by using a muffin tin, adjusting baking time to 18-22 minutes, and reducing the frosting quantity.
  • Lemon Blueberry Bundt Cake: Bake the batter in a bundt pan, creating a stunning ring-shaped cake with a beautiful glaze drizzled over the top.

Tasty Sides for Lemon Blueberry Layer Cake

  • Pair with Crisp White Wine: Elevate the cake's delicate lemon and blueberry flavors with a chilled Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio, whose bright acidity and light fruity notes complement the dessert's refreshing profile.
  • Serve Alongside Lavender Earl Grey Tea: Brew a fragrant Earl Grey tea with a hint of lavender to enhance the cake's citrusy undertones and provide a sophisticated, aromatic beverage that balances the sweetness.
  • Garnish with Fresh Berries and Mint: Create a stunning side presentation of mixed berries and fresh mint leaves to echo the blueberry essence and add a vibrant, palate-cleansing element to each decadent slice.

Storing Lemon Blueberry Layer Cake the Right Way

  • Seal the cake in an airtight container and keep in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, maintaining its fresh taste and texture.
  • Wrap individual cake layers or the entire frosted cake tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil, storing in the freezer for 2-3 months without losing quality.
  • Place the cake in a covered cake carrier at room temperature for 1-2 days, ensuring it stays away from direct sunlight and heat sources.
  • When storing, place parchment paper between cake slices to prevent sticking and maintain the frosting's pristine appearance.

Lemon Blueberry Layer Cake FAQs

  • Can I use frozen blueberries instead of fresh ones?

Yes, you can use frozen blueberries, but don’t thaw them first. Toss frozen blueberries in a little flour to prevent color bleeding and sinking in the cake batter.

  • How do I prevent the blueberries from sinking to the bottom of the cake?

Coat the blueberries lightly in flour before folding them into the batter. This helps suspend them throughout the cake during baking.

  • What if I don't have cream cheese for the frosting?

You can substitute mascarpone cheese or make a simple buttercream frosting using butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract. The texture and flavor will be slightly different.

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Lemon Blueberry Layer Cake Recipe

Lemon Blueberry Layer Cake Recipe


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4.8 from 39 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour 60 minutes (1 hour and 30 minutes)
  • Yield: 12 1x

Description

Lemon blueberry layer cake brings zesty sunshine and sweet berry magic to dessert tables. Moist layers kissed with citrus and studded with juicy blueberries promise pure indulgence for you to savor and share with delighted friends.


Ingredients

Scale

cake base:

  • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 cup unsalted butter
  • 1 cup milk

fruit and zest:

  • 2 cups fresh blueberries
  • 2 lemons (for zest and juice)

frosting and filling:

  • 16 oz cream cheese
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/4 tsp salt

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and prepare two 9-inch round cake pans by greasing and lining with parchment paper.
  2. Sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl, creating a uniform dry mixture.
  3. Cream softened butter and granulated sugar in a large mixing bowl until light and fluffy, approximately 3-4 minutes.
  4. Incorporate eggs one at a time into the butter mixture, ensuring complete integration after each addition.
  5. Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, alternating with milk, mixing until just combined.
  6. Gently fold in lemon zest and half of the fresh blueberries into the cake batter.
  7. Divide batter evenly between prepared cake pans and smooth the tops with a spatula.
  8. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  9. Allow cakes to cool in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
  10. Whip cream cheese until smooth, then gradually add powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and salt.
  11. Fold in heavy cream to create a light, airy frosting.
  12. Once cakes are completely cool, spread frosting between layers, incorporating remaining blueberries.
  13. Frost the entire cake, decorating the top and sides with extra blueberries and lemon zest.
  14. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving to allow frosting to set.

Notes

  • Ensure butter and eggs are at room temperature for smoother batter and better cake texture.
  • Avoid overmixing the batter to prevent a dense, tough cake; mix just until ingredients are combined.
  • Dust blueberries lightly with flour before folding into batter to prevent sinking during baking.
  • For a gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend.
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
  • Category: Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 12
  • Calories: 503
  • Sugar: 45 g
  • Sodium: 293 mg
  • Fat: 27 g
  • Saturated Fat: 16 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 59 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 7 g
  • Cholesterol: 108 mg
Truc Tran (Kris)

Truc Tran (Kris)

Senior Food Editor

Expertise

Home Cooking, Meal Planning, Recipe Development, Baking and Pastry, Food Editor, Cooking-video Maker, Vietnamese Food Evaluation Expert

Education

  • Hospitality (Commercial Cookery) at TasTAFE
  • Culinary Arts at Kendall College (Australia Branch in Sydney)
  • Vietnamese Cuisine Head Chef at HNAAu School (Vietnam, International Joint Training Program)

Truc Tran (Kris), an experienced food writer and editor, is great at exploring and describing global cuisines, from simple street food to fancy dining. In her writing, she skillfully mixes different flavors, cooking methods, and culinary traditions, showing the unique character of various cultures through their food and drinks. On azcuisines.com, Kris highlights her knowledge, especially in Asian cuisine and worldwide traditional dishes.

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