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lemon raspberry cake

Ultimate Lemon Raspberry Cake

A moist and flavorful lemon raspberry cake with tangy cream cheese frosting, bursting with fresh lemon flavor and juicy raspberries. Perfect for special occasions or weekend treats.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 39 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 12
Course: Dessert, Cake
Cuisine: American, Western
Calories: 485

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup unsalted butter room temperature
  • ½ cups granulated sugar
  • ¼ cup light brown sugar, packed
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon zest
  • ½ teaspoon pure lemon extract (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 4 large eggs, room temperature
  • cups cake flour
  • teaspoons baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup whole milk
  • ½ cup full-fat sour cream
  • ½ cup fresh lemon juice
  • ½ cups fresh or frozen raspberries
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 10 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
  • 4 cups confectioners' sugar
  • 2 teaspoons fresh lemon zest
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • ¼ teaspoon lemon extract (optional)
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons sour cream

Equipment

  • 2 9-inch round cake pans
  • 1 Electric mixer (hand or stand)
  • 3 Large mixing bowls
  • 1 Wire cooling rack
  • 1 Rubber spatula
  • 1 Measuring cups and spoons
  • 1 Cake tester or toothpick

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two 9-inch round cake pans with parchment paper and spray with cooking spray.
  2. Cream butter and sugars in a large bowl with electric mixer until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Add lemon zest, extracts, and eggs one at a time.
  3. Mix dry ingredients in separate bowl: cake flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
  4. Alternate adding dry ingredients and wet ingredients (milk, sour cream, lemon juice) to butter mixture. Mix until just combined.
  5. Toss raspberries with 2 tablespoons flour, then fold into batter gently by hand.
  6. Divide batter evenly between prepared pans. Bake 35-40 minutes until golden and toothpick comes out clean.
  7. Cool completely in pans for 10 minutes, then turn out onto wire racks.
  8. Make frosting: Beat cream cheese and butter until fluffy. Gradually add confectioners' sugar, then lemon zest, juice, extract, salt, and sour cream.
  9. Assemble cake: Place one layer on serving plate, frost, add raspberry preserves, top with second layer, and frost entire cake.
  10. Chill 20 minutes before final decorating with fresh raspberries and lemon slices.

Notes

 

  • Use room temperature ingredients for best results
  • Don't overmix the batter to avoid dense cake
  • Store covered in refrigerator for up to 3 days
  • Remove from fridge 1-2 hours before serving for best texture
  • Fresh raspberries work best, but frozen can be used without thawing