It’s no secret to regular readers that I’m a huge fan of recipes which are both simple and take little time to put together. These two elements are especially important to me as I undoubtedly always have one or two little people under my feet (or climbing onto the bench) anytime I am cooking or baking. While I really enjoy my boys getting involved in the kitchen, when I’m trying to quickly make something before guests arrive – this can be a problem. This Lemon and Butter Cake recipe is a winner in these instances. It ticks all the right boxes – it’s quick and easy to prepare (either conventionally or in the Thermomix) and is can be ready to go in the oven before the boys even notice.
I LOVE the texture of this cake, it has exactly the right mix of lemon and buttery goodness and best of all I can freeze any leftovers after our guests leave so we can enjoy it again another time. Are you hungry yet? Well here’s how to make it:

Lemon Butter Cake
Equipment
- 1 x loaf pan
Ingredients
- 125 grams butter softened
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup caster sugar 210 grams
- 3 eggs
- 1 & ½ cups plain flour 225 grams
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
- ½ cup milk 125 grams
- 1 tablespoon lemon rind.
Icing
- 1 & ¼ cups icing sugar
- 2 tablespoon lemon juice
Instructions
- Line a large loaf tin with baking paper and preheat your oven to 170 degrees celsius (fan-forced).
- In the bowl of an electric mixer, add the butter, vanilla extract, caster sugar, eggs, flour, baking powder, bicarbonate of soda, milk and lemon rind.
- Mix on a low speed until all the ingredients have combined and then increase to a medium/high speed and mix until the mixture is smooth.
- Pour the mixture into your prepared cake tin and place in the oven to bake for 40 - 45 minutes or until the cake is cooked through when tested with a skewer.
- Carefully remove the cake from the oven and let it cool in the tin for 10 minutes before carefully transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Once cool, prepare the lemon icing by sifting the icing sugar into a bowl and adding 2 tablespoons of lemon juice. Mix the ingredient together until they are smooth. Add water until desired consistency is acheived.
- Use a spatula or a butter knife to then spread the icing over the cake.
Thermomix Instructions
- Line a large loaf tin with baking paper and preheat your oven to 170 degrees celsius (fan-forced).
- Place the softened butter into your Thermomix bowl and mix 20 seconds on speed 5 until it is pale and creamy.
- Add the eggs and mix for 10 seconds on speed 3 or until well combined.
- Add the remainder of your ingredients and mix for 12 seconds on speed 4 or until your mixture is smooth. Mix for a further 5 seconds if needed.
- Pour the mixture into your prepared cake tin and place in the oven to bake for 40 - 45 minutes or until the cake is cooked through when tested with a skewer.
- Follow instructions for making the icing as above.
Notes
- It is important to ensure the butter is softened prior to making this recipe. If it is still firm, it will not combine easily with the other ingredients and the mixing time will increase.
- This Lemon Butter Cake can be baked in different sized cake tins, however please note the baking time will vary.
- Do not ice the cake until it is completely cool, otherwise the icing will melt and slide off.
- To store, place in an airtight container and store in a cool, dry place. Consume within 7 days.
- To freeze, cover with foil or place into a freezer safe container and freeze for up to two months.
- This cake can be frozen when it is both iced or plain.
Nutrition
Lemon Butter Cake Thermomix Instructions
1. Line a large loaf tin with baking paper and preheat your oven to 150 degrees.
2. Place the softened butter into your Thermomix bowl and mix 20 seconds on speed 5 until it is pale and creamy.
3. Add the eggs and mix for 10 seconds on speed 3 or until well combined.
4. Add the remainder of your ingredients and mix for 12 seconds on speed 4 or until your mixture is smooth. Mix for a further 5 seconds if needed.
5. Pour the mixture into your prepared cake tin and place in the oven to bake for 50 minutes or until the cake is cooked through when tested with a skewer.
6. Carefully remove the cake from the oven and let it cool in the tin for 10 minutes before carefully transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
7. Once cool, prepare the lemon icing by sifting 1 ¼ cups of icing sugar into a bowl and adding 2 tablespoons of lemon juice. Mix the ingredient together until they are smooth.
8. Use a spatula or a butter knife to then spread the icing over the cake.
What’s your go to recipe when you need to make something in a hurry?
Marilyn
Followed the recipe to a T and it turned out hard as rock with some pockets of uncooked dough 🙁 I think mixing all the ingredients at speed 6 for 1 minute was over mixing it too much 🙁
Lauren
I’m sorry your cake didn’t turn out Marilyn, we only just made this last week and it turned out well. Sometimes oven temperatures can vary, maybe this had an impact. Sorry again, I hope you have a good day x
Bec @ The Plumbette
Oh my I think just looking at this cake my thighs have expanded!! Shall be bookmarking to make this after I’ve lost a bit more weight! X
Karin @ Calm to Conniption
Yum! This is my type of cake. Chocolate is for the Mr. Butter is for me and I love a bit of lemon twist. Saved! 🙂
Jess - A Little Part of the World
I want this now. When is morning tea at your house? I am filing this away for later. This looks so yumm. My Dad would love this!
laurenm83
Haha, anytime Jess!
Mum Of Five Girls
I need that cake!!!!
laurenm83
Haha, I could really go with a piece right now too!
Fleur - Our Urban Box
Seriously! That looks so good! x
laurenm83
Thanks Fleur!
Pearl - Pretty Mayhem
I love a good lemony cake, the only problem is that I can’t help myself and usually eat the whole thing in a couple of days!
laurenm83
Me too!
Jennfier Abel
Hi I found you at the #theultimaterabbithole I love the look of your lemon cake, so rich and moist!
laurenm83
Welcome Jennifer! Thank you, it’s one of my favourites 🙂
peregrinationgourmande
I can see a lot of lemon recipe… I love so much lemon in cakes! xx cathy
laurenm83
There sure is a lot of lemon in this because I love it too!
Sammie @ The Annoyed Thyroid
Yum! Lemonicious!
laurenm83
Thanks lovely! You always make me smile x