Mini Lemon Cakes (Printable)
Delicate bite-sized cakes infused with fresh lemon, topped with sweet glaze.
# What You Need:
→ Dry Ingredients
01 - 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 3/4 tsp baking powder
03 - 1/4 tsp baking soda
04 - 1/4 tsp salt
→ Wet Ingredients
05 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
06 - 2/3 cup granulated sugar
07 - 2 large eggs, room temperature
08 - 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
09 - Zest of 2 lemons
10 - 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
11 - 1/3 cup whole milk
→ Glaze
12 - 1 cup powdered sugar
13 - 2-3 tbsp fresh lemon juice
# Directions:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 12-cup mini bundt pan or muffin tin thoroughly with cooking spray or butter.
02 - In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until well blended. Set aside.
03 - In a large bowl, beat softened butter and granulated sugar with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, approximately 2-3 minutes.
04 - Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in vanilla extract and lemon zest until fully incorporated.
05 - Alternately add the flour mixture and milk to the butter mixture, beginning and ending with flour. Stir in lemon juice until just combined. Take care not to overmix.
06 - Divide batter evenly among prepared cups, filling each about 3/4 full.
07 - Bake for 16-18 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let cakes cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
08 - Whisk powdered sugar with enough fresh lemon juice to achieve a thick but pourable consistency. Drizzle glaze over completely cooled cakes.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The texture is impossibly light while still feeling substantial enough for dessert
- Fresh lemon flavor shines through without being overwhelmingly tart
- These are ready in under an hour but taste like you spent all day
02 -
- Overmixing after adding the flour will make these tough so stop as soon as you no longer see dry streaks
- The glaze should be thick enough to hold its shape but thin enough to pour and will set beautifully within 15 minutes
03 -
- Room temperature ingredients prevent the batter from separating and ensure even rising
- A tablespoon of poppy seeds adds wonderful texture and visual interest