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Easy Lemon Birthday Cake Recipe

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This Easy Lemon Cake is a light, fluffy sponge bursting with fresh lemon zest. Using a foolproof all-in-one method, it’s quick to make and perfectly balanced between sweet and tangy. Ideal for teatime, birthdays, or any celebration.

  • Author: Tina
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 12 slices
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: British
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

225 g self-raising flour

2 tsp baking powder (level)

4 medium eggs

225 g soft margarine or butter (at room temperature)

225 g caster sugar

Zest of 2 lemons

2 tsp milk

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 160ºC (140ºC fan).
  2. Line two 20 cm round sandwich tins with baking parchment or reusable liners.
  3. Finely grate the zest of two lemons.
  4. Sift flour and baking powder into a large bowl.
  5. Add eggs, margarine or butter, sugar, lemon zest, and milk. Beat with an electric mixer on slow speed (or by hand) until smooth and fully combined.
  6. Divide the batter evenly between the two tins, spreading with the back of a spoon.
  7. Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until a skewer inserted in the center comes out clean.
  8. Cool in tins for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. Allow to cool completely before decorating or serving.

Notes

  • Add lemon curd between the layers for an extra citrus boost.
  • Dust with powdered sugar for a simple finish, or top with lemon buttercream for a classic touch.
  • For a variation, swap lemon zest with orange zest or add poppy seeds.
  • Bake in one deep tin for a single-layer cake (adjust baking time).
  • Recipe doubles easily for larger cakes.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cheftinaskitchen.com/easy-lemon-birthday-cake-recipe/