Description
A rich and moist pound cake infused with lemon flavor, topped with sweet candied lemons, perfect for Christmas.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 3 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- For Candied Lemons:
- 2 lemons, thinly sliced
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup water
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×5 inch loaf pan.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
- In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
- In a small bowl, whisk together sour cream, lemon juice, lemon zest, and vanilla extract.
- Alternately add the dry ingredients and the sour cream mixture to the butter mixture, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
- Pour batter into the prepared loaf pan.
- Bake for 60-75 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
- While the cake bakes, prepare the candied lemons: In a saucepan, combine sugar and water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Add lemon slices and simmer for 15-20 minutes, until translucent. Remove lemon slices and let them cool on a wire rack.
- Once the cake is baked, let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes before inverting it onto a wire rack to cool completely.
- Decorate the cooled cake with the candied lemons.
Notes
- Ensure all ingredients are at room temperature for best results.
- Do not overmix the batter once the dry ingredients are added.
- Candied lemons can be made a day in advance and stored in an airtight container.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 75 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 35g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 100mg
Keywords: pound cake, lemon cake, cream cheese cake, Christmas cake, holiday dessert, candied lemon, citrus cake