When it's cold outside, don't you crave food that just feels like summer? There's something about the bright and sunny pop of citrus that always makes me feel a little warmer. This Gluten and Dairy Free Lemon Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting is the perfect treat any time of year.
Not only does this cake just feel like sunnier days, it also instantly cheers you up. This is a favorite of one of my friends and when she was sick I made it for her. The balance of tart and sweet wrapped in tangy frosting is the ultimate feel good bite.
A Burst of Sunshine
A slice of cake is a great way to make a person's day better. This Gluten and Dairy Free Lemon Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting is the perfect special occasion dessert and also a great just because.
Do you need an occasion to make a cake, or is a cake the occasion? While we use cake as a symbol of celebration, such as birthdays, weddings, and baby showers, there never really needs to be a reason to just enjoy a slice of tender, moist, decadent cake.
This cake delivers on that tender, moist bite. Just imagine sinking your fork into a slice, watching it sink down, the crumbs hugging to its sides. Both Dairy Free Butter and Dairy Free sour cream are the key to the texture of this beautiful cake.
I love the balance of flavors in this cheery confection. There's no denying the pop of lemon. With both fresh squeezed lemon juice and lemon zest in the cake and zest in the frosting, it tantalizes the taste buds with every bite.
The Squeeze on Gluten and Dairy Free Lemon Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
This cake couldn't be easier. Grab your mixing bowl and two 8" cake pans, and I will take you step by step.
- Pregame! Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Spray two 8" round cake pans with nonstick baking spray and set them aside.
- Make sure your Dairy Free butter is at room temperature. This will allow it to mix easily and smoothly. Mix your butter and sugar together for five minutes. This step is called creaming and will make the butter light and fluffy.
- Mix in your eggs, Dairy Free milk, sour cream, and vanilla.
- Use freshly squeezed lemon juice. Not only do you need the zest from the lemons, but you can't get the same flavor from bottled lemon juice.
- Add your remaining ingredients and mix until just combined. Part of achieving that tender texture is not overmixing.
- Divide the batter between the two prepared cake pans. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Always allow your Gluten and Dairy Free Lemon Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting to cool completely before frosting them.
- Make sure your Dairy Free cream cheese and Dairy Free butter are at room temperature before mixing your frosting. You want smooth, creamy, luscious frosting.
- To make your frosting simply mix all of the ingredients together until light, fluffy, creamy, and dreamy.
Are you looking for more cake recipes? Make sure you check out my recipe for Gluten Free Elvis Peanut Butter and Jelly Cake. Now let's get baking!
Gluten and Dairy Free Lemon Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
Equipment
- Mixing Bowl
- 2 8" cake pans
Ingredients
Lemon Cake
- 3 cups Gluten Free 1.1 flour
- 1 ½ cups sugar
- 1 cup Dairy Free butter, room temperature
- 1 cup Dairy Free sour cream
- ¼ cup Dairy Free milk
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ¾ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- 3 eggs
- 3 tbsp lemon zest
- ¾ cup lemon juice
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting
- 14 oz Dairy Free cream cheese, room temperature
- 1 ¼ cup Dairy Free butter, room temperature
- 5 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp lemon zest
Instructions
Lemon Cake
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray 2 8" cake pans with nonstick baking spray.
- Place the butter and sugar in a bowl and mix on high for 5 minutes until light and fluffy.
- Add the eggs, sour cream, milk, and vanilla. Mix to combine.
- Add the remaining ingredients and mix until just combined. Do not over mix.
- Divide the batter between the two cake pans.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Allow to cool completely.
Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting
- Add all of the ingredients to a bowl and mix until creamy and smooth.
- Spread some of the frosting on the top of the first cake.
- Stack the second cake on top. Frost the entire cake.
- Slice and enjoy!
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