Description
This Lemon Drizzle Traybake is a zesty, moist, and irresistibly fresh citrus cake perfect for any time of day. Bursting with bright lemon flavor, it features a soft, tender crumb soaked with a sweet and tangy lemon syrup, making each bite delightfully refreshing. Easy to prepare with simple pantry ingredients, it’s ideal for sharing with family and friends or enjoying as a satisfying dessert or tea-time treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Cake Ingredients
- 225g self-raising flour
- 225g castor sugar
- 225g softened butter
- 4 large eggs
- Zest of 2 fresh lemons
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice (for batter)
- 2 tbsp milk
Lemon Drizzle Syrup
- 100g granulated sugar
- 4 tbsp fresh lemon juice
Instructions
- Prepare Your Tray and Oven: Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F) and line a rectangular baking tray with parchment paper to ensure an even bake and easy cake removal.
- Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, sift the self-raising flour and combine it with the castor sugar to create a smooth, lump-free batter base.
- Cream Butter and Eggs: In a separate bowl, cream the softened butter until fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time along with the lemon zest to add richness and vibrant aroma.
- Combine and Add Milk: Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, alternating with milk, until everything is just incorporated. Be careful not to overmix to keep the cake tender.
- Bake Until Golden: Pour the batter evenly into the prepared tray and smooth the top. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a skewer inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Create and Add the Lemon Drizzle: While the cake bakes, combine granulated sugar and fresh lemon juice to make the drizzle syrup. When the cake is out of the oven, poke holes all over the surface with a skewer and pour the drizzle syrup evenly over it, allowing it to soak in.
- Cool and Serve: Let the traybake cool in the tray so the syrup seeps deeper into the cake. Cut into squares and serve, optionally garnished with powdered sugar, lemon slices, or fresh mint.
Notes
- Always use fresh lemons for zest and juice to maximize citrus flavor.
- Do not overmix the batter to maintain a soft and tender crumb.
- Pour the lemon drizzle over the cake while it is still hot for deeper syrup absorption.
- Use room temperature ingredients to ensure smooth batter blending and consistent texture.
- Lining the baking tray with parchment paper makes cake removal easy and prevents sticking.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: British
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (approx. 1/16 of traybake)
- Calories: 220 kcal
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 55mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: lemon drizzle, traybake, lemon cake, citrus dessert, easy baking, teatime cake, moist lemon cake