Layer Lemonade Cake

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🍋 3-Layer Lemonade Cake (Soft, Tangy & Creamy Delight)

🍰 Introduction

If you love bright citrus flavors and soft, melt-in-your-mouth cakes, this 3-layer lemonade cake is pure sunshine on a plate. With its tender crumb, refreshing lemon tang, and rich cream cheese frosting, it’s the perfect dessert for celebrations, summer gatherings, or whenever you want something uplifting and delicious. This cake balances sweetness and acidity beautifully—making every bite irresistible.

🧾 Ingredients

🧁 For the Cake Layers:

  • 1 cup (226g) cream cheese, softened
  • ½ cup (113g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 4 large eggs (room temperature)
  • 2 ½ cups cake flour
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp baking soda
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1 cup milk
  • ¾ cup lemonade concentrate (thawed)
  • 1 tbsp lemon zest (optional, for extra flavor)

🍋 For the Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting:

  • 8 oz (226g) cream cheese, softened
  • ½ cup (113g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 4 cups powdered sugar
  • 2–3 tbsp lemonade concentrate
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • Pinch of salt

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Prepare the Oven & Pans

  • Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C)
  • Grease and flour three 8-inch round cake pans

2. Make the Batter

  • In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and butter until smooth
  • Add sugar and beat until light and fluffy
  • Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition

3. Combine Dry Ingredients

  • In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt

4. Mix Wet Ingredients

  • In a separate bowl, combine milk and lemonade concentrate

5. Bring It All Together

  • Alternate adding dry ingredients and milk mixture into the batter
  • Begin and end with dry ingredients
  • Fold in lemon zest if using

6. Bake

  • Divide batter evenly into pans
  • Bake for 25–30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean
  • Let cakes cool completely before frosting

🍥 Frosting Instructions

  • Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth
  • Add powdered sugar gradually
  • Mix in lemonade concentrate, vanilla, and salt
  • Beat until creamy and fluffy

🎂 Assembly (Formation)

  1. Place the first cake layer on a serving plate
  2. Spread an even layer of frosting
  3. Add second layer and repeat
  4. Place the final layer on top
  5. Frost the top and sides smoothly
  6. Decorate with lemon slices, zest, or crumbs

🍽️ Methods & Tips

  • ✔️ Use room temperature ingredients for smoother batter
  • ✔️ Do not overmix to keep the cake soft
  • ✔️ Chill frosting slightly if too soft
  • ✔️ Add extra lemon zest for stronger citrus flavor
  • ✔️ For a moist cake, brush layers lightly with lemonade before frosting

📜 A Little History

Lemon cakes have long been a favorite in European and American baking, especially during spring and summer. Lemonade-based cakes became popular as a creative twist—adding a nostalgic, refreshing drink into desserts. The combination of citrus and cream cheese frosting gives a modern, bakery-style finish loved worldwide.

❤️ For the Lovers (Why You’ll Love It)

  • 🍋 Bright, refreshing lemon flavor
  • 🎂 Ultra-soft and moist texture
  • 🧁 Rich and creamy frosting balance
  • 🌞 Perfect for summer, birthdays, and special moments
  • 👨‍👩‍👧 Loved by both kids and adults

🍋 Conclusion

This 3-layer lemonade cake is more than just a dessert—it’s a celebration of flavor, freshness, and comfort. Whether you’re baking for guests or just treating yourself (you do love baking often—this could be your next favorite alongside your chocolate dump cake 🍫😉), this cake will never disappoint.

If you want, I can also turn this into a super easy version or even a no-oven lemonade cake 🍰

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