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Lemon Drizzle Cake

A soft lemon loaf soaked with a crunchy sugar-and-lemon drizzle while still warm.

By BeneAI-assistedReviewed by BeneRecipes Editor on 23 September 2026Updated 23 September 2026
Prep
20 min
Cook
50 min
Total
1 hr 30 min
Makes
one 2lb loaf
Difficulty
Easy
A slice of lemon drizzle cake served with a cup of tea
Photo: Acabashi · CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)

Ingredients

Cake

  • 225gunsalted butter, softened
  • 225gcaster sugar
  • 4medium eggs
  • 225gself-raising flour
  • 1unwaxed lemon, finely grated zest

Drizzle

  • lemons, juice only
  • 85gcaster sugar

Method

  1. 1

    Heat the oven to 180°C / 160°C fan / gas 4. Line a 2lb (900 g) loaf tin with baking paper.

  2. 2

    Beat the butter and sugar until pale and creamy, then beat in the eggs one at a time.

  3. 3

    Fold in the flour and lemon zest until just combined. Spoon into the tin and level the top.

  4. 4

    Bake for 45–50 minutes, until a skewer pushed into the centre comes out clean.

  5. 5

    While the cake bakes, stir the lemon juice and sugar together for the drizzle; do not let the sugar dissolve completely.

  6. 6

    As soon as the cake comes out, prick it all over with a skewer and spoon the drizzle evenly over the top.

  7. 7

    Leave in the tin until completely cool: the sugar sets into a crisp crust.

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Guides for this recipe

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