Limoncello Pound Cake Lemon

Featured in: Simple Baking Projects

This pound cake blends creamy butter and sugar with the bright zest of fresh lemons and the citrus notes of Limoncello liqueur. Lightly moist and tender, it's baked to a golden finish before being topped with a smooth lemon glaze that balances sweetness with tang. Ideal for pairing with tea or enjoyed as a simple, flavorful indulgence. The recipe offers options for lighter flour substitutions and serving suggestions such as fresh berries or whipped cream to enhance each slice.

Updated on Fri, 13 Mar 2026 00:57:42 GMT
A golden Limoncello pound cake with a glossy lemon glaze, fresh zest, and a moist, tender crumb. Save
A golden Limoncello pound cake with a glossy lemon glaze, fresh zest, and a moist, tender crumb. | tiwizigather.com

This Limoncello Pound Cake with Lemon Glaze is a delightful fusion of bright citrus flavor and tender, buttery crumb. Infused with the aromatic Limoncello liqueur and fresh lemon zest, this cake offers a perfect balance of sweet and tangy notes. It’s an ideal dessert for a weekend gathering or a refreshing treat alongside your afternoon tea, bringing a little sunshine to any occasion.

A golden Limoncello pound cake with a glossy lemon glaze, fresh zest, and a moist, tender crumb. Save
A golden Limoncello pound cake with a glossy lemon glaze, fresh zest, and a moist, tender crumb. | tiwizigather.com

What's for Dinner Tonight? 🤔

Stop stressing. Get 10 fast recipes that actually work on busy nights.

Free. No spam. Just easy meals.

The combination of freshly grated lemon zest and Limoncello creates an irresistible citrus aroma that fills your kitchen as the cake bakes. The balance between the sweetness of the sugar and the tartness of the lemon glaze offers a delicious harmony of flavors that’s both refreshing and indulgent.

Ingredients

Tired of Takeout? 🥡

Get 10 meals you can make faster than delivery arrives. Seriously.

One email. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.

  • For the Pound Cake
  • 1 cup (225 g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 cups (400 g) granulated sugar
  • 4 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1/4 cup (60 ml) Limoncello liqueur
  • 1/4 cup (60 ml) whole milk, room temperature
  • 2 tbsp freshly grated lemon zest (about 2 lemons)
  • 1/4 cup (60 ml) fresh lemon juice
  • 2 1/2 cups (315 g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • For the Lemon Glaze
  • 1 cup (120 g) powdered sugar, sifted
  • 2–3 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tbsp Limoncello liqueur
  • Optional: extra lemon zest for topping

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9x5-inch (23x13 cm) loaf pan or a bundt pan.
2. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and granulated sugar until pale and fluffy (about 3–4 minutes).
3. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
4. Stir in the lemon zest, Limoncello, lemon juice, and milk until combined.
5. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
6. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until incorporated.
7. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top.
8. Bake for 50–55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
9. Let the cake cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
10. For the glaze, whisk powdered sugar with lemon juice and Limoncello until smooth and pourable. Drizzle over the cooled cake. Top with extra lemon zest if desired.
11. Allow the glaze to set before slicing and serving.

Zusatztipps für die Zubereitung

For a lighter texture, substitute half the all-purpose flour with cake flour to give the cake a delicate crumb. Ensuring eggs and milk are at room temperature helps achieve a smooth batter and even texture. Be careful not to overmix when combining the wet and dry ingredients to keep the cake tender.

Still Scrolling? You'll Love This 👇

Our best 20-minute dinners in one free pack — tried and tested by thousands.

Trusted by 10,000+ home cooks.

Varianten und Anpassungen

Limoncello can be replaced with additional lemon juice if you prefer an alcohol-free version, although the depth of flavor will be milder. For a richer cake, try adding a teaspoon of vanilla extract. You can also experiment with topping the glaze with chopped pistachios or candied lemon slices for extra texture and flair.

Serviervorschläge

This pound cake is lovely served alongside fresh berries or a dollop of whipped cream for an indulgent treat. Pair it with a hot cup of tea or a glass of chilled Prosecco for a delightful Italian-inspired dessert experience.

Save
| tiwizigather.com

This Limoncello Pound Cake with Lemon Glaze perfectly captures the sunny essence of Italy with every bite. Its vibrant citrus notes and moist texture make it a memorable dessert you’ll want to bake again and again.

Recipe Questions & Answers

What makes this pound cake moist?

Butter, eggs, and milk combined with carefully measured flour ensure a tender and moist texture throughout the cake.

How does Limoncello influence the flavor?

Limoncello adds a bright citrus aroma and a subtle sweetness that enhances the lemon zest and juice in the batter.

Can I substitute the flour for a lighter texture?

Yes, replacing half the all-purpose flour with cake flour creates a lighter, more delicate crumb.

How is the lemon glaze prepared and applied?

The glaze is made by whisking powdered sugar with fresh lemon juice and Limoncello until smooth, then drizzled over the cooled cake for a glossy finish.

What baking tools are needed for this preparation?

A 9x5-inch loaf or bundt pan, electric mixer, mixing bowls, whisk, zester, measuring cups, and wire rack for cooling are recommended.

How can I make this without alcohol?

Limoncello can be replaced with additional lemon juice to maintain flavor without the alcohol content.

20-Minute Dinner Pack — Free Download 📥

10 recipes, 1 shopping list. Everything you need for a week of easy dinners.

Instant access. No signup hassle.

Limoncello Pound Cake Lemon

Moist pound cake with Limoncello and a bright, tangy lemon glaze for a delightful treat.

Time to Prep
25 min
Time to Cook
55 min
Entire Time Needed
80 min
Created by Valeria Moon


Skill Level Medium

Cuisine Italian-American

Makes 12 Serving Size

Dietary Info Meat-Free

What You'll Need

Pound Cake

01 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
02 2 cups granulated sugar
03 4 large eggs, room temperature
04 1/4 cup Limoncello liqueur
05 1/4 cup whole milk, room temperature
06 2 tablespoons freshly grated lemon zest
07 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
08 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
09 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
10 1/2 teaspoon salt

Lemon Glaze

01 1 cup powdered sugar, sifted
02 2 to 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
03 1 tablespoon Limoncello liqueur
04 Extra lemon zest for topping, optional

How to Make It

Step 01

Prepare Pan and Preheat Oven: Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour a 9x5-inch loaf pan or bundt pan.

Step 02

Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, cream together softened butter and granulated sugar until pale and fluffy, approximately 3 to 4 minutes.

Step 03

Incorporate Eggs: Beat in eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition to ensure proper emulsification.

Step 04

Add Wet Ingredients: Stir in lemon zest, Limoncello, lemon juice, and milk until fully combined.

Step 05

Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.

Step 06

Fold Together: Gradually add dry ingredient mixture to wet ingredients, mixing just until incorporated to maintain cake tenderness.

Step 07

Fill Pan: Pour batter into prepared pan and smooth the surface evenly.

Step 08

Bake Cake: Bake for 50 to 55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center emerges clean.

Step 09

Cool Initially: Allow cake to cool in pan for 15 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 10

Prepare Glaze: Whisk powdered sugar with lemon juice and Limoncello until smooth and pourable consistency is achieved.

Step 11

Finish and Serve: Drizzle glaze over cooled cake and top with extra lemon zest if desired. Allow glaze to set before slicing.

You Just Made Something Great 👏

Want more like this? Get my best easy recipes — free, straight to your inbox.

Join 10,000+ home cooks. No spam.

Tools Needed

  • 9x5-inch loaf pan or bundt pan
  • Electric mixer
  • Mixing bowls
  • Whisk
  • Zester or grater
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Wire rack

Allergy Details

Review each component for allergens. Check with your healthcare provider if anything's unclear.
  • Contains eggs
  • Contains dairy (milk)
  • Contains wheat (gluten)

Nutrition per serving

Shared for your information—never a replacement for health advice.
  • Energy: 340
  • Fats: 14 g
  • Carbohydrates: 50 g
  • Proteins: 4 g

Cooking Shouldn't Be Hard ❤️

Get a free recipe pack that makes weeknight dinners effortless. Real food, real fast.

Free forever. Unsubscribe anytime.