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A homemade citrus cake recipe glazed and garnished with citrus zest on a white marble counter

Citrus Cake Recipe

This citrus cake recipe is ultra-moist and bursting with fresh lemon, lime, and orange flavor. Easy to make and perfect for any occasion, from birthdays to weeknight desserts.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Glazing Time 10 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 12 slices
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American, Spring Baking
Calories: 295
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1½ cups granulated sugar
  • ½ cup unsalted butter softened
  • 3 large eggs room temperature
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoon fresh orange juice
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
  • 2 teaspoon lemon zest
  • 1 teaspoon orange zest
  • ½ teaspoon lime zest
  • 2 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1½ cups powdered sugar for glaze
  • 3 tablespoon mixed citrus juice for glaze
  • 1 tablespoon citrus zest for glaze

Equipment

  • 1 9x13 inch baking pan Glass or metal; greased before use
  • 1 Electric mixer Hand or stand mixer for creaming butter and sugar
  • 1 Microplane grater For finely zesting citrus fruits
  • 1 Citrus juicer Hand-held or manual to extract fresh juice
  • 1 Wire cooling rack Prevents soggy bottom; ensures even cooling

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13 inch pan. Cream butter and sugar, beat in eggs and vanilla. Mix dry ingredients separately. Zest and juice citrus.
  2. Alternate adding flour and buttermilk to the wet mixture. Fold in citrus juice and zest. Pour into pan and bake 25–30 minutes.
  3. Cool cake 10 minutes. Whisk glaze ingredients and pour over warm cake. Let soak before serving.

Notes

  • Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.