Go Back
+ servings
Creamy lemon bars with fresh lemon slices and a crumbly crust. Perfect for spring desserts or afternoon tea.

Lemonade Cake

Bree Hester
3.34 from 3 votes
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Cooling Time 1 hour
Total Time 2 hours
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 12 servings
Calories 434 kcal

Ingredients
  

For The Cake:

  • 1/3 cup unsalted butter at room temperature
  • 1 1/3 cups granulated sugar
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1/4 cup frozen lemonade concentrate thawed
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 1/4 cups buttermilk at room temperature, divided

For The Frosting:

  • 1/3 cup unsalted butter at room temperature
  • 3-4 cups powdered sugar divided
  • 1/3 cup plus 2 tablespoons frozen lemonade concentrate thawed but still cold, divided
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 325°F with a rack positioned in the center. Grease a 9x13-inch glass baking dish.

Make The Cake:

  • In a large mixing bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, beat butter and sugar on medium speed until very light and fluffy, 3-5 minutes, scraping down the bowl once or twice.
    Fluffy grated coconut in a white mixing bowl for baking recipes.
  • Add the eggs one at a time, beating until smooth after each addition.
    Flour mixture with egg in mixing bowl, preparing for baking or cooking.
  • Add the lemonade concentrate and vanilla, and beat until well combined. The mixture may look slightly curdled, which is fine.
    Cream mixture with vanilla and cinnamon in a mixing bowl.
  • In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until no lumps remain.
    All-purpose flour in a glass measuring cup for baking recipes.
  • With the mixer running on low speed, gradually add 1/3 of the flour mixture and mix just until no dry streaks remain.
    Flour added to a creamy yellow cake batter in a mixing bowl.
  • Add 1/2 of the buttermilk and mix just until well combined.
    Creamy cake batter in mixing bowl for baking preparation, on a wooden surface.
  • Repeat with another 1/3 of the flour mixture, the remaining buttermilk, and the final 1/3 flour, mixing on low and stopping to scrape down the bowl as needed. Do not overmix.
    Cream and dry ingredients being mixed with a hand mixer in a mixing bowl for baking recipes.
  • Transfer the batter to the prepared baking dish and use an offset spatula to smooth the top. Bake for 35-40 minutes, until the top is golden, the center springs back lightly when touched, the edges begin to pull away from the pan, and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs but no wet batter.
    Creamy homemade baked dessert in a glass dish, golden crust on top.
  • Cool completely in the baking dish on a wire rack, about 1 hour, before frosting.

Make The Frosting:

  • In a large mixing bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, beat the butter on medium speed until smooth, creamy, and slightly lightened in color, 2-3 minutes, scraping down the bowl halfway through.
  • Add 1 cup of powdered sugar, 1/3 cup of the lemonade concentrate, and the vanilla extract. Mix on low speed until the sugar is mostly moistened, then increase to medium and beat until smooth.
    Fluffy homemade vanilla buttercream frosting in a glass bowl.
  • With the mixer on low speed, gradually add 2 more cups of powdered sugar, mixing until fully incorporated and the frosting is thick and smooth. Add up to 1 more cup powdered sugar, a little at a time, if you prefer a stiffer frosting. Beat on medium speed until light and fluffy, 1-2 minutes.
    Creamy vanilla frosting being mixed in a glass bowl for baking.
  • If the frosting is too thick, add the remaining 2 tablespoons of lemonade concentrate, 1 tablespoon at a time. If it becomes too thin, add more powdered sugar, a few tablespoons at a time, until it is smooth and spreadable.

Finish And Serve The Cake:

  • Once the cake has completely cooled to room temperature, spread the frosting overtop in a thick, even layer, swirling the top as desired.
    Fluffy whipped cream topping on homemade dessert in glass baking dish.
  • Slice and serve immediately or cover and refrigerate.

Nutrition

Calories: 434kcalCarbohydrates: 77gProtein: 5gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 7gSodium: 223mgFiber: 1g
Keyword buttermilk cake, easy baking, easy cake recipe, Easy summer dessert, homemade lemonade cake, lemonade cake, simple frosting
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!