Lemon Blueberry Cakern

a close up shot of a slice of Lemon Blueberry Cake on a plate

This delicious lemon blueberry cake is a soft, spongey layer cake bursting with fresh lemon and juicy blueberries.

Table of Contents

Lemon Blueberry Cake Ingredients
Substitutions And Additions
How To Make This Lemon Blueberry Cake Recipe
How To Serve
Storage
Why We Love This Recipe
Frequently Asked Questions
More Recipes You’ll Love
JUMP TO RECIPE

Lemon blueberry cake is a classic combination of sweet and tart flavors that will have you coming back for more. This scrumptious dessert features layers of fluffy lemon sponge cake, bursting with fresh pops of juicy blueberries and topped with a lemon frosting.

Lemon Blueberry Cake Ingredients

Lemon Blueberry Cake raw ingredients that are labeled

You will love sinking your teeth into the light and airy cake and savoring the refreshing citrus combined with the sweet berries.

The final touch is the tangy lemon cream cheese frosting, which balances out the sweetness of the fluffy cake.

You’ll need:

For The Lemon Blueberry Cake Batter:

3 cups + 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour, spooned, leveled, and sifted (divided into 3 cups and 2 tablespoons)
1 tablespoon of baking powder
1 teaspoon of baking soda
½ teaspoon of kosher salt
2 tablespoons of fresh lemon zest
1¾ cups of granulated sugar
3 cups of fresh blueberries, rinsed and dried
½ cup of salted sweet cream butter, softened
¼ cup of vegetable oil
1 cup of low-fat buttermilk, room temperature and well shaken
½ cup of freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract
4 extra-large eggs, room temperature

For The Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting:

¾ cup of salted sweet cream butter, softened
1 (8-ounce) package of cream cheese, softened
1 tablespoon of fresh lemon zest
5½ cups of powdered sugar
3 tablespoons of half and half
½ cup of fresh blueberries, rinsed and dried (optional garnish)
Thinly sliced lemon (optional garnish)

Substitutions And Additions

LEMON JUICE: You can substitute bottled lemon juice for freshly squeezed lemon juice in this lemon blueberry layer cake, but it will not have the same zip as fresh lemons add.

CITRUS: If you’re looking for a different citrus twist, you can switch out the lemon zest and lemon juice with orange zest and orange juice.

This will infuse the cake with a vibrant orange flavor while maintaining the fruity essence.

Alternatively, for a more subtle citrus note, try using lime zest and lime juice. Keep in mind that different citrus fruits might vary in tanginess, so adjust the quantity to taste.

BLUEBERRIES: Frozen blueberries can be used instead of fresh blueberries in this moist cake.

Thaw, rinse, and pat dry before tossing in flour, which should help keep the juice from bleeding in the batter.

VANILLA EXTRACT: Swap out vanilla extract with almond extract for a delightful nutty undertone that pairs well with both lemon and blueberry flavors.

Just remember that almond extract is potent, so start with a smaller quantity and adjust to taste.

FROSTING: If you are pressed for time, you can substitute canned frosting for homemade.

How To Make This Lemon Blueberry Cake Recipe

Our easy, step-by-step instructions will walk you through making this easy cake and creamy frosting.

STEP ONE: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line three 9-inch round cake pans with parchment paper circles.

Spray the cake pans with baker’s spray, such as Baker’s Joy or a generic version.

STEP TWO: Add three cups of flour, baking powder, baking soda, and kosher salt to a medium-sized mixing bowl. Whisk dry ingredients to combine.

STEP THREE: Add the fresh lemon zest to the granulated sugar to a small bowl. Stir to combine.

OUR RECIPE DEVELOPER SAYS

Always zest the lemons before squeezing the juice.

lemon zest stirred with white sugar and combined together

STEP FOUR: Add the blueberries to a medium bowl. Sprinkle with two tablespoons of flour. Stir to coat the blueberries completely. Remove the excess flour.

STEP FIVE: Beat together the softened butter and vegetable oil for one minute or until well incorporated.

You can use a stand mixer, or a hand mixer and a large bowl, on medium-high speed.

STEP SIX: Add the granulated sugar and lemon zest and continue mixing for another 1-1½ minutes.

white sugar and lemon zest added to the mixture

STEP SEVEN: Add the buttermilk, fresh lemon juice, and vanilla. Mix just until combined.

The mixture will appear curdled, but it has a lot of acidity due to the lemon juice and buttermilk.

STEP EIGHT: Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each.

STEP NINE: Add half of the flour mixture, mixing just until combined. Repeat for the remaining flour mixture.

PRO TIP:

We found that when you were dividing the batter into the pans, it measured to about 2¾ cups per pan.

STEP TEN: Fold in the coated blueberries. Divide the batter evenly among the prepared cake pans.

Bake in the preheated oven for 25-28 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes away clean.

Allow the cakes to cool completely.

PRO TIP:

Oven temperatures vary and may need to be recalibrated periodically to ensure they are accurate. Make sure to keep a close eye on your cake as the suggested baking time approaches.

blueberries folded into the cake batter in a bowl

STEP ELEVEN: Beat together the softened butter and softened cream cheese for about two minutes or until smooth.

Use a stand mixer, or a large bowl and a handheld mixer, on medium-high speed.

STEP TWELVE: Beat in the lemon zest and one cup of powdered sugar. Alternate adding one tablespoon of half and half and one cup of powdered sugar at a time.

Continue mixing until smooth.

lemon zest and powder sugar blended together

STEP THIRTEEN: Place the first layer of cake on either a disposable round cake board or a serving plate.

Top with a three-quarter cup of frosting. Use an offset spatula to smooth the frosting to the edge of the first layer of the cake.

Repeat with the remaining layers of cake.

Next, smooth the remaining frosting over the top and sides of the cake until the entire cake is frosted.

Garnish the center of the frosted top with remaining blueberries and thinly sliced lemons.

Slice and serve.

cake being frosted from the top and sides

How To Serve

Blueberry lemon cake pairs well with a light, refreshing accompaniment like a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The tartness of the lemon and blueberries will perfectly balance out the sweetness of the ice cream.

To give it a special touch, sprinkle it with crushed pecans or toasted shredded coconut for an extra crunch.

When it comes to beverages, consider serving this cake with a side of freshly brewed iced tea with a lemon wedge.

Check out our Neapolitan cake and strawberry cake for two more delectable layer cakes that we think you will love.

MORE BLUEBERRY RECIPES

Cake Recipes

Blueberry Coffee Cake

Pie Recipes

Blueberry Pie

Storage

Here’s a handy guide on how to store and make this fantastic dessert ahead of time.

MAKE AHEAD: Simply bake the cake as per the instructions, allow it to cool completely, and then wrap it tightly in plastic wrap.

It can be stored at room temperature for up to 24 hours before serving. This convenient option allows you to have a freshly baked cake ready to enjoy whenever you want.

IN THE FRIDGE: Store any leftovers of this lemon blueberry birthday cake covered in plastic wrap or in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days.

IN THE FREEZER: You can freeze the unfrosted cake layers in the freezer for up to two months.

Allow the cakes to thaw in the refrigerator overnight before frosting, garnishing, and slicing.

a close up shot of a Lemon Blueberry Cake with a slice taken out of it

Why We Love This Recipe

VIBRANT FLAVORS: This cake boasts a harmonious blend of zesty lemon and sweet blueberries. The combination of tangy and fruity flavors creates a burst of freshness with each bite.

MOIST TEXTURE: Thanks to the addition of yogurt and oil, this cake turns out incredibly moist and tender. It practically melts in your mouth, making it an absolute pleasure to savor.

SEASONAL DELIGHT: Fresh blueberries bring a burst of summery goodness to this cake. It’s an ideal way to celebrate the blueberry season, and the bright lemony notes make it a perfect choice for warm-weather gatherings.

No matter how you decide to enjoy your lemon blueberry cake, it will be an enjoyable treat that everyone will love. The combination of juicy blueberries, moist cake, and fresh lemon flavor brings plenty of summer vibes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I reduce the amount of sugar in the recipe?

You can adjust the sugar to your preference. However, keep in mind that sugar not only adds sweetness but also affects the texture and moisture of the cake. Making significant changes might alter the final result.

Can I use store-bought frosting instead of homemade cream cheese frosting in this recipe?

If you need to save time, you can use store-bought cream cheese frosting in place of homemade for this great recipe.

Can I add nuts to the cake batter?

Chopped nuts like almonds, pecans, or walnuts can be folded into the batter for added crunch and flavor. Just make sure to adjust the quantities based on your preference.

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