12 Luscious Lemon Cakes That Bring Big Sunshine Flavor

These lemon desserts highlight bright citrus flavor in soft cakes, creamy fillings, and simple sweets. Each recipe shows a different way to bring lemon into baking, from chilled treats to layered cakes and loaf styles. Some use light textures while others lean into richer, smoother finishes. All of them put lemon at the center with clean, refreshing flavor.

Copycat Lemon Bundt Cake

A bundt cake with white icing drizzled on top, garnished with several slices of lemon, is displayed on a white plate with a cake server nearby. — Copycat Lemon Bundt Cake. Photo credit: Recipes From Leftovers.

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This bundt cake re creates a well known bakery style lemon treat. The crumb stays soft. A light glaze adds sweetness. Each slice highlights clean citrus flavor.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Lemon Bundt Cake

Copycat Starbucks Iced Lemon Loaf Cake

A loaf of lemon pound cake with white icing and lemon slices on top, placed on a white platter, with one slice cut. — OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

This loaf imitates the familiar coffee shop version. The texture remains tender and even. A thick icing adds sweetness and shine. Lemon flavor carries through each slice.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Starbucks Iced Lemon Loaf Cake

Italian Lemon Cream Cake

A slice of two-layer vanilla cake with white frosting on a white plate, placed on a wooden board. — Italian Lemon Cream Cake. Photo credit: Maria’s Mixing Bowl.

Layers of soft cake surround a lemon cream filling. The interior feels smooth and silky. Lemon adds fresh flavor throughout. The overall texture stays light.
Get the Recipe: Italian Lemon Cream Cake

Italian Lemon Mascarpone Cake

A slice of layered lemon cake with cream filling on a plate, accompanied by cookies, lemon slices, and bottles of milk. — Italian Lemon Mascarpone Cake. Photo credit: xoxo Bella.

Mascarpone gives this cake a creamy consistency. Lemon brightens each bite. The crumb stays tender. The combination creates a soft and mellow finish.
Get the Recipe: Italian Lemon Mascarpone Cake

Italian Lemon Ricotta Amaretti Budino Cake

A bundt cake topped with powdered sugar and round cookies, displayed on a pale green cake stand. — Italian Lemon Ricotta Amaretti Budino Cake. Photo credit: Xoxo Bella.

Ricotta and amaretti cookies create a unique texture. Lemon lifts the flavor without overwhelming it. The cake stays soft with a lightly custard like center. Each slice feels delicate.
Get the Recipe: Italian Lemon Ricotta Amaretti Budino Cake

Italian Lemon Ricotta Cake

A slice of lemon cake topped with powdered sugar, served with a dollop of whipped cream and a lemon slice on a plate, with a fork and halved lemons in the background. — Edible Shots by Melissa LLC

Ricotta produces a velvety crumb. Lemon adds a fresh and gentle taste. The texture remains slightly dense in a pleasant way. Each slice offers smooth citrus flavor.
Get the Recipe: Italian Lemon Ricotta Cake

Lavender Lemon Cake

A round white frosted cake topped with lemon slices and lavender flowers sits on a white plate, with lemons and yellow flowers in the background. — Lavender Lemon Cake. Photo credit: Live To Sweet.

Lavender adds floral notes to the lemon base. The crumb stays tender. Each slice gives off a soothing aroma. Lemon keeps the flavor lively.
Get the Recipe: Lavender Lemon Cake

Lemon Blackberry Pound Cake

A bundt cake with pink glaze, topped with fresh blackberries, sits on a white plate. — Lemon Blackberry Pound Cake. Photo credit: Southern Food and Fun.

Blackberries add color and small bursts of sweetness. Lemon brightens the dense pound cake crumb. The texture stays firm yet soft. Each slice blends fruit and citrus smoothly.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Blackberry Pound Cake

Lemon Cake Roll

A slice of lemon Swiss roll filled with cream, dusted with powdered sugar, sits on a white plate next to lemon halves. — Lemon Cake Roll. Photo credit: xoxo Bella.

A thin lemon sponge wraps around creamy filling. The cake stays flexible for easy rolling. Each slice shows a neat spiral. The flavor remains bright and smooth.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Cake Roll

Lemon Chiffon Cake

A lemon bundt cake with white icing drips sits on a wooden platter; lemons and strawberries are in the background. — Lemon Chiffon Cake. Photo credit: xoxo Bella.

This chiffon cake rises high with an airy crumb. Lemon keeps the flavor crisp. The texture stays light. Each slice feels soft and refreshing.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Chiffon Cake

Lemon Crinkle Cake

A round pastry with flaky, golden layers, topped with white icing drizzle, sits on a white plate against a marble surface. — Lemon Crinkle Cake. Photo credit: Maria’s Mixing Bowl.

This cake features a lightly crackled surface. Lemon adds lively flavor. The interior stays soft. Each serving offers gentle sweetness.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Crinkle Cake

Lemon Eclair Cake

A slice of layered dessert with cream and crackers on a white plate, with whole lemons and another dessert slice in the blurred background. — Lemon Eclair Cake. Photo credit: Maria’s Mixing Bowl.

Layers of lemon cream and crackers soften together in the refrigerator. The texture becomes smooth and creamy. Lemon keeps the flavor fresh. Each piece feels cool and sweet.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Eclair Cake