A sunshine-sweet twist on a classic, this Lemon Blackberry Pound Cake is rich, buttery, and bursting with bright citrus and juicy berries. Perfect with a cup of tea, a spring brunch, or simply to treat yourself to something delicious and homemade.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
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Bright Citrus Flavor: The combination of lemon zest and juice infuses the cake with a refreshing tang.
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Juicy Blackberries: Fresh blackberries add bursts of sweetness and a beautiful contrast in texture.
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Moist and Buttery Texture: Sour cream ensures a tender crumb, making each slice melt in your mouth.
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Versatile Presentation: Ideal for loaf pans or bundt pans, allowing for elegant or rustic serving styles.
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Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether it’s a casual tea time or a festive gathering, this cake fits the bill.
Ingredients
(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)
For the Cake:
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1 cup unsalted butter, softened
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1¾ cups granulated sugar
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4 large eggs
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1 tablespoon lemon zest
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2 tablespoons lemon juice
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1 teaspoon vanilla extract
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2 cups all-purpose flour
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1 teaspoon baking powder
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½ teaspoon salt
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½ cup sour cream
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1½ cups fresh blackberries (tossed in 1 tablespoon flour to prevent sinking)
For the Lemon Glaze:
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1 cup powdered sugar
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2–3 tablespoons lemon juice
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Extra blackberries and lemon zest for garnish (optional)
Directions
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Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×5-inch loaf pan or line with parchment paper.
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Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 3–4 minutes.
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Add Eggs and Flavorings: Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla extract.
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Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
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Incorporate Dry Ingredients and Sour Cream: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, alternating with sour cream, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
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Fold in Blackberries: Gently fold the floured blackberries into the batter.
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Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top. Bake for 55–65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
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Cool: Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
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Prepare Lemon Glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar and lemon juice until smooth and pourable.
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Glaze and Serve: Drizzle the glaze over the cooled cake. Garnish with extra blackberries and lemon zest if desired. Slice and serve.
Servings and Timing
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Servings: 12 slices
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Preparation Time: 15 minutes
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Baking Time: 55–65 minutes
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Cooling Time: 1 hour
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Total Time: Approximately 2 hours 20 minutes
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Calories: Approximately 350 kcal per slice
Variations
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Berry Variations: Substitute blackberries with raspberries, blueberries, or a mix of berries.
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Citrus Twist: Add orange zest and juice for a different citrus flavor.
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Gluten-Free Option: Use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend suitable for baking.
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Mini Loaves: Divide the batter into mini loaf pans for individual servings; adjust baking time accordingly.
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Bundt Cake: Use a bundt pan for a more decorative presentation; ensure proper greasing and adjust baking time as needed.
Storage/Reheating
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Storage: Store the cooled cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to 5 days.
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Freezing: Wrap the cake tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil; freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
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Reheating: Serve at room temperature or warm individual slices in the microwave for 10–15 seconds.
FAQs
Can I use frozen blackberries instead of fresh?
Yes, you can use frozen blackberries. Do not thaw them before adding to the batter to prevent excess moisture.
How do I prevent the blackberries from sinking?
Tossing the blackberries in a tablespoon of flour before folding them into the batter helps suspend them evenly throughout the cake.
Can I make this cake ahead of time?
Absolutely. This cake can be baked a day in advance. Store it covered at room temperature and glaze it before serving.
What can I use instead of sour cream?
You can substitute sour cream with plain Greek yogurt or buttermilk in equal amounts.
How do I know when the cake is done baking?
Insert a toothpick into the center of the cake; if it comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs, the cake is done.
Can I omit the glaze?
Yes, the cake is delicious on its own, but the lemon glaze adds an extra layer of flavor and moisture.
Print
Lemon Blackberry Pound Cake
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 1 loaf (8–10 slices)
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Bright, buttery, and berry-packed—Lemon Blackberry Pound Cake is a luscious citrus loaf loaded with fresh blackberries and topped with a zesty lemon glaze. A perfect spring or summer treat for brunch, tea time, or dessert.
Ingredients
For the Cake:
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1 cup unsalted butter, softened
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1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
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4 large eggs
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1 tbsp lemon zest
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2 tbsp lemon juice
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1 tsp vanilla extract
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2 cups all-purpose flour
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1 tsp baking powder
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1/2 tsp salt
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1/2 cup sour cream
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1 1/2 cups fresh blackberries (tossed in 1 tbsp flour)
For the Lemon Glaze:
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1 cup powdered sugar
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2-3 tbsp lemon juice
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Extra blackberries and lemon zest for garnish (optional)
Instructions
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Preheat and prep: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×5-inch loaf pan or line with parchment paper.
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Cream butter and sugar: Beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy (about 3–4 minutes). Add eggs one at a time, beating well. Stir in lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla.
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Add dry and wet ingredients: In a bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and salt. Add to the wet mixture alternately with sour cream, mixing until just combined.
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Fold in blackberries: Gently fold in floured blackberries. Pour batter into the loaf pan and smooth the top.
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Bake: Bake for 55–65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.
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Glaze and garnish: Whisk powdered sugar with lemon juice to make glaze. Drizzle over the cooled cake. Garnish with blackberries and lemon zest if desired.
Notes
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Use room-temperature ingredients for the best texture.
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Tossing berries in flour prevents them from sinking to the bottom.
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Cake keeps well covered at room temperature for 2–3 days or refrigerate for longer freshness.
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