What is lemon drizzle cake?
If you haven’t experienced the sheer joy of lemon drizzle cake yet, let us enlighten you. Picture a moist and fluffy cake with a zesty kick of lemon that’s so hard to resist.
The name ‘lemon drizzle’ comes from the delectable topping – a luscious lemon syrup made from granulated sugar and lemon juice drizzled over the top of the cake, adding an extra burst of flavour. While traditionally made in a loaf tin, feel free to shape the cake in any form your heart desires.
Our take on lemon drizzle cake includes a delightful twist: Lyle’s Golden Syrup. This addition elevates this classic, making it even more irresistible.
What’s all the fuss about?
Now, let’s dive into why lemon drizzle cake has captured the hearts of cake aficionados worldwide. Here are just a few reasons why this cake is so exceptional:
- Perfectly balanced: The tartness of lemon juice flawlessly compliments the sweetness of the sugar, creating a harmonious flavour.
- Refreshingly delicious: Lemon drizzle cake offers a refreshing burst of citrussy goodness, making it a delightful treat on a warm summer day or whenever you crave a zesty pick-me-up.
- Light and fluffy: One bite into this heavenly creation, and you’ll be greeted by a melt-in-the-mouth, light and fluffy texture. It’s a cake experience like no other!
- Gorgeous glossy finish: The drizzle topping, with its simplicity, adds a beautiful glossy finish to the cake which is sure to impress your friends and family.
- A versatile delight: Lemon drizzle cake is incredibly versatile. Enjoy it as a delightful afternoon snack alongside a cuppa, serve it as a scrumptious dessert, pack it up for a picnic, or even use it as a show-stopping celebration cake for birthdays, parties or gatherings.
- Easy to make: Don’t let the impressive flavours fool you, this classic is surprisingly easy to make. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a novice in the kitchen, you’ll have no trouble whipping up this crowd-pleasing treat.
The irresistible drizzle topping
The famous drizzle topping is the crowning glory of lemon drizzle cake. It’s a combination of granulated sugar and lemon juice, which is gently heated in a saucepan to make a tangy syrup. If you don’t have granulated sugar, caster sugar works just as well!
This syrup is then drizzled over the top of a warm cake, to help it set, seep into the cake and create a delightfully crunchy lemon drizzle topping.
Before pouring on the topping, use a skewer to poke holes in the cake. This makes sure the drizzle reaches the centre of the cake, infusing it with lemony goodness.
Pro tip: To extract more juice from your lemon, roll it on your countertop and place it in the microwave for 10 seconds. This simple trick will help you get the most out of your lemons.
Different lemon drizzle toppings to explore
Don’t feel held back, there are other toppings you can try on your lemon drizzle. Here are a few options to consider:
Icing sugar and lemon juice
Create a thick icing by combining icing sugar and lemon juice. This velvety smooth topping adds an extra touch of sweetness and elegance to your cake.
Lyle’s Golden Syrup and lemon juice
For a delectable twist, gently warm Lyle’s Golden Syrup and lemon juice in a pan until the mixture turns runny. The result? A heavenly blend of flavours that will make your tastebuds sing.
Lemon buttercream
Who knew butter, icing sugar and lemon juice could taste so good?
To make lemon buttercream, simply cream the butter and sugar together and add a couple of tablespoons of lemon juice to taste. For the perfect ratio, use double the amount of icing sugar to butter. Remember to use room-temperature butter for easier mixing!
Lemon cream cheese frosting
Looking for a tangy and creamy option? Lemon cream cheese frosting is the perfect choice! Combine cream cheese, icing sugar, and lemon juice for a delicious topping for your cake. Add some lemon curd for an extra lemony flavour!
Can we tempt you with our lemon drizzle cake recipes?
Lemon layer cake
Indulge in layers of lemony goodness with our scrumptious lemon layer cake recipe. Each sponge features lemon drizzle and topped with a gorgeous lemon buttercream for an unforgettable treat.
Go to recipe >
Lemony cupcakes
These lovely lemon cupcakes are a delight! Bursting with citrusy goodness and topped with a luscious lemon cream cheese frosting, they’re sure to brighten your day.
Go to recipe >
Vegan lemon drizzle cake with orange and clementine
In this scrumptious creation, we’ve swapped out traditional ingredients for vegan alternatives. Flaxseed replaces the egg, while olive oil takes the place of butter, and almond milk stands in for milk. (And don’t worry, Lyle’s Golden Syrup is 100% vegan!) This recipe also features clementine juice and zest, adding an extra citrusy twist.
Go to the recipe >
Unleash the sweet magic of Lyle’s Golden Syrup!
Transform your lemon drizzle cake into a mouth-watering masterpiece with Lyle’s Golden Syrup. With its rich, velvety texture and irresistible flavour, our golden syrup is the perfect addition to your cake. Get your hands on some Lyle’s Golden Syrup before you begin!