Mothers Day Lemon Drizzle (Printable)

A moist lemon cake with tangy drizzle and edible flowers, ideal for festive occasions.

# What You'll Need:

→ For the Cake

01 - 8 oz unsalted butter, softened
02 - 8 oz caster sugar
03 - 4 large eggs
04 - 8 oz self-raising flour
05 - Zest of 2 unwaxed lemons
06 - 2 tbsp whole milk
07 - Pinch of salt

→ For the Lemon Drizzle

08 - Juice of 2 lemons
09 - 4.4 oz icing sugar

→ For Decoration

10 - 2 tbsp icing sugar for dusting, optional
11 - Assorted edible flowers such as violas, pansies, nasturtiums, or rose petals

# Directions:

01 - Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease and line a 2 lb loaf tin with parchment paper.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and caster sugar until the mixture is pale and fluffy, approximately 3 to 4 minutes.
03 - Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition to ensure proper emulsification.
04 - Fold in the self-raising flour, lemon zest, milk, and salt until just combined. Avoid overmixing to maintain the cake's tender crumb structure.
05 - Pour the batter into the prepared loaf tin and level the top with a spatula for even baking.
06 - Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
07 - While the cake bakes, mix the lemon juice and icing sugar in a small bowl to create the drizzle.
08 - Once baked, leave the cake in the tin and pierce the top all over with a skewer. While still warm, slowly pour the drizzle over the cake, allowing it to soak in completely.
09 - Allow the cake to cool completely in the tin before removing.
10 - Transfer to a serving platter. Dust lightly with additional icing sugar if desired, and decorate with edible flowers immediately before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It's impossibly moist and stays tender for days, which means you can actually make it ahead without stress.
  • The lemon drizzle soaks right into the warm cake, creating pockets of pure citrus flavor that feel luxurious but aren't difficult at all.
02 -
  • The lemon drizzle must go on while the cake is still warm or it won't soak in properly and you'll lose that signature tender texture.
  • Edible flowers must be genuinely pesticide-free; buy them specifically labeled for eating, never from a florist or garden center.
03 -
  • Unwaxed lemons give you zest that tastes cleaner and brighter; the waxy coating on regular lemons doesn't affect the zest itself, but unwaxed feels like a small luxury.
  • If your lemon juice is on the mild side, you can always add a tiny splash of extra juice to the drizzle—taste as you mix and adjust to your preference.
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