Few desserts feel as inviting as a homemade Lemon Blueberry Cake cooling on the counter. This version balances soft lemon crumb, bursts of juicy berries, and a smooth cream cheese topping that brings everything together. The citrus flavor tastes clean, not sharp, while the blueberries add natural sweetness in every bite. Whether you bake it in a simple pan or stack it into layers, this Lemon Blueberry Cake fits spring gatherings, summer parties, and everyday baking alike.
Story
This Lemon Blueberry Cake comes from the kind of recipe you return to year after year because it always works. It started as a simple lemon cake, yet blueberries quickly became part of the batter once their color and flavor proved too good to ignore. Over time, this Lemon Blueberry Cake earned its place as a trusted dessert for birthdays, showers, and casual weekends. The tender crumb stays moist, the lemon flavor tastes fresh, and the blueberries hold their shape. Finished with cream cheese frosting, this Lemon Blueberry Cake feels familiar, comforting, and just special enough to share.
Ingredients
The ingredients stay straightforward and focus on balance, freshness, and texture. This recipe uses cake flour for softness, real lemon juice and zest for flavor, and fresh blueberries for the best results. You will also prepare a smooth cream cheese frosting, which pairs perfectly with the citrus notes and highlights the bold Lemon Cake Recipe base while creating a memorable Blueberry Dessert experience.
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3 cups cake flour
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2 teaspoons baking powder
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1/2 teaspoon baking soda
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1/2 teaspoon salt
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3/4 cup buttermilk, room temperature
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1/3 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
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1 cup unsalted butter, softened
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1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
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2 tablespoons lemon zest
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2 teaspoons vanilla extract
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4 large eggs, room temperature
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2 cups fresh blueberries
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2 teaspoons flour for coating berries
Cream Cheese Frosting (9×13 pan)
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1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
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8 ounces brick-style cream cheese
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1 teaspoon lemon juice
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3 to 4 cups powdered sugar
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1 tablespoon whipping cream, as needed
Step-by-Step Instructions
Preparing the Ingredients
Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease the baking pan thoroughly. Sift the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt into a bowl and whisk until combined. Mix the buttermilk and lemon juice together and set aside. In a large bowl, beat the butter, sugar, and lemon zest until light and fluffy, then add vanilla and eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
Cooking Instructions
Mix the dry ingredients into the butter mixture in three additions, alternating with the milk mixture. Keep the mixer on low speed and stop as soon as the batter looks smooth. Toss the blueberries with flour and gently fold them into the batter. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake until the top feels springy and a toothpick comes out clean, then cool completely before frosting.
Tips for Perfect Results
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Overmixing causes dense cake, so stop mixing once the flour disappears. Skipping the step of coating blueberries often leads to sinking berries. Baking before the oven reaches full temperature can affect rise and texture. Warm cake should never meet frosting, as it causes melting and sliding.
Pro Tips for Better Flavor
Fresh lemons always deliver brighter taste than bottled juice. Cake flour creates a lighter crumb, but proper measuring matters. Chilling cake layers before frosting helps with clean edges. For extra citrus depth, add a pinch of lemon zest to the frosting without overpowering the cake.
Serving and Storage
How to Serve
Serve this cake slightly chilled or at cool room temperature for the best texture. Clean slices come from a thin, sharp knife wiped between cuts. Fresh blueberries and thin lemon slices add simple decoration, while the smooth Cream Cheese Frosting provides richness without heaviness, making it ideal for Spring Baking tables.
How to Store Leftovers
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. For longer storage, freeze unfrosted cake layers tightly wrapped for up to two months, then thaw overnight in the fridge before decorating.
Conclusion
This Lemon Blueberry Cake delivers consistent results with dependable ingredients and clear steps. The flavors stay balanced, the crumb stays tender, and the frosting brings everything together. Bake it once, and it often becomes the cake you choose whenever you need something fresh, reliable, and crowd-pleasing.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this cake ahead of time?
Yes, you can bake the cake layers a day in advance and store them wrapped in the refrigerator. Frost the cake on the day you plan to serve it for the best texture and appearance.
Can I use frozen blueberries?
Fresh blueberries work best because they hold shape and color. Frozen berries can bleed and sink, though they may still work if added directly without thawing.
Can this recipe be made as a layer cake?
Absolutely. Divide the batter evenly between round pans and reduce the bake time slightly. Chill the layers before frosting for easier assembly.
Print
Lemon Blueberry Cake
- Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
- Yield: 15 slices 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Moist lemon cake filled with fresh blueberries and finished with a light lemon cream cheese frosting.
Ingredients
- 3 cups cake flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup buttermilk
- 1/3 cup fresh lemon juice
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons lemon zest
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 4 large eggs
- 2 cups fresh blueberries
- 2 teaspoons flour
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 8 oz cream cheese
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 3–4 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon whipping cream
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F and grease baking pan
- Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt
- Combine buttermilk and lemon juice
- Beat butter, sugar, and lemon zest until fluffy
- Add vanilla and eggs one at a time
- Alternate adding dry ingredients and milk mixture
- Fold blueberries gently into batter
- Bake until toothpick comes out clean
- Cool completely before frosting
Notes
- Use room temperature ingredients
- Do not overmix the batter
- Fresh blueberries work best
- Cool cake fully before frosting
- Prep Time: 35 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 34
- Sodium: 260
- Fat: 22
- Saturated Fat: 13
- Unsaturated Fat: 8
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 52
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 5
- Cholesterol: 95
