This lemon blueberry cake features a moist and fluffy cake bursting with tangy lemon and juicy blueberries throughout. It’s topped with a simple cream cheese frosting that takes it up a notch.
We love simple and delicious cake recipes.
There is a misconception that cakes are difficult and time-consuming but we’ve proven otherwise. Our death by chocolate, lemon, and coconut cakes are all impressive to look at but are so easy to make.
One combination we adore is that of lemon and blueberries. We’ve made muffins with the and now we have this delicious show-stopper.
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Why you’ll love this recipe
This blueberry lemon cake recipe is truly a game changer. We’ve been making it at least once month, and more during the summer months when blueberries are in season.
- The texture is truly exceptional- Moist and fluffy in the middle, with a tender crumb, and plenty of blueberries throughout.
- And I love that this cake uses simple pantry staple ingredients. There is no butter, no milk, and no eggs needed, and everything is made in one bowl.
- We made this as a layer cake but you don’t need to do that if you prefer just one layer or want to make it as a sheet cake- the ball is in your court!
Oh, and if you’d like other cake recipes using pantry ingredients, try a vanilla cake or a chocolate cake.
As mentioned earlier, this cake uses a simple ingredient list. You probably have everything you need in your pantry right now. Here is what you’ll need:
- All purpose flour– Either plain flour or gluten free all purpose flour. Be sure to sift your flour to ensure that there are no clumps in the batter.
- Baking soda– Works with the vinegar to help give the cake the fluffiness and rise without eggs.
- Salt– Brings out the sweetness.
- Sugar– I like using white sugar for the cake, but brown or coconut sugar also work. Just be wary that if you choose one of the latter two, the cake will be darker in color.
- Lemon juice– Works with the lemon extract to give an intense lemon flavor.
- Vinegar– Use either white vinegar or apple cider vinegar.
- Oil of choice– Neutral flavored oil, like canola oil, vegetable oil, or safflower oil.
- Water– To mix everything together. You can also use your favorite milk.
- Lemon extract– Gives a stronger lemon flavor. If you’d prefer a mild lemon flavor, replace this with vanilla extract.
- Blueberries– Either fresh or frozen blueberries. If you use frozen berries, don’t worry about thawing them out.
- Cream cheese frosting- You can either use a store-bought one or make your own (s listed in the recipe card).
How to make a lemon blueberry cake?
Simple is an understatement for this recipe. Everything is made in the same bowl and honestly, the hard part is waiting for the cake to bake. If you choose to make this a layer cake, you’ll just need to prep a couple of cake pans.
Ready to whip one up?
Step 1- Make the batter
Start by adding your dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl and whisking together. Add the wet ingredients, before folding through the blueberries.
Step 2- Bake the cake
Next, transfer to an 8-inch cake pan and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a skewer comes out clean.
Step 3- Frost the cake
Finally, let cool in the cake pan completely, before frosting, if desired.
- Try to use fresh blueberries as opposed to frozen ones, as they will ensure the cake is evenly cooked. If you can only use frozen ones, do not thaw them out beforehand.
- Use lemon extract for a more pronounced lemon flavor. I often do this with my lemon bars.
- The oven makes and model can affect the baking time of the cake. Mine took 32 minutes, but it can take up to 45 minutes. Check up around the 30-minute mark, then 2-minute increments.
- This makes a single cake. For a two-layer cake, double the ingredients. For a three-layer cake, triple the ingredients.
- If you choose to make this with frosting, add a teaspoon of lemon juice to it.
Storage instructions
To store: Leftovers needs to be stored in the fridge, as it will spoil at room temperature. Keep cake in a sealed container or covered in plastic wrap. Storing the cake this way will ensure the cake will keep for at least 5 days.
To freeze: Leftover cake slices can be placed in a ziplock bag and stored in the freezer for up to 2 months.
More easy cake recipes to try
Frequently Asked Questions
To avoid blueberries from sinking to the bottom of the cake, lightly toss your blueberries in some flour.
As this cake has no eggs or dairy in it, it is suitable for a vegan diet.
Alternative flours like coconut, oat, or almond won’t work well, as they require eggs and/or butter for stability.
Lemon Blueberry Cake
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour gluten free, if needed
- 1 cup sugar brown or coconut sugar work.
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon white vinegar
- 5 tablespoon olive oil
- 3/4 cup water
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup blueberries fresh or frozen
Cream cheese frosting
- 3 tablespoons cream cheese softened
- 1 1/2 tablespoons butter
- 2/3 cup powdered sugar
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 180C/350F. Line an 8-inch cake pan with cooking spray and set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine your dry ingredients and mix well. Add your wet ingredients and mix until combined. Fold through your blueberries.
- Transfer the cake batter to the lined cake pan. Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until a skewer comes out clean. Let the cake cool in the pan completely, before frosting, if desired.
- To make the frosting, beat together the cream cheese and butter until fluffy. Slowly add in the powdered sugar until combined. If the frosting is too thick, add a little water. If too thin, add more powdered sugar.
Notes
Nutrition
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. I may earn a small commission for my endorsement, recommendation, testimonial, and/or link to any products or services from this website.
Hi, What size tins please?
8-inch cake pan.
Can I bake this in a loaf tin instead?
Yes! 🙂
Hi, I made this today with Bob’s Red Mill gluten free flour and it flopped. It was flat. I wondered as usually there are more ingredient changes if going with gluten free flour. It was not a huge deal, just a waste of all the ingredients. I wanted to let you know.
Thanks.
Hi Jodi- Bob’s Red Mill has two kinds of GF flour- the one I recommend has added xanthan gum in it. It holds everything together 🙂
This cake was SO delicious, not just for a vegan cake, for a cake in general. Moist and delicious.
I made this for Father’s Day this year and it was such a huge hit. I made it again today as a double layer cake. We are having July’s birthday party tomorrow and it will be nice to share this cake again. Very rarely do I repeat a recipe but this cake received such amazing reviews I had to make it again.
Thanks, Cathy!
Very good ! Batter was light and easy to put together. Yum
Hi! Can I sub sugar with dates?
Haven’t tried!
Would it be fine to use different flour like corn or rice which is not wheat and will have the same consistency? Thank you.
Haven’t tried!
Hi! When using lemon extract, do I keep the vanilla extract in the recipe? Thank you, I can’t wait to make this!
Just use one or the other!
Hi! Would a gluten free flour mix work, like King Arthur?
I don’t see why not!
How do you sub the monkfruit for the sugar?
Replace it cup for cup.
Hi what did you use the upper layer? what is the white cream?
Frosting 🙂
This was great!! Made it using lime juice (as I had no lemons on hand) and it turned out great (though I should have probably greased my baking dish with more coconut oil as the bottom stayed behind in the pan lol but it was delicious none-the-less!!
Do you think this would work with oat flour? Thanks.
Not for this recipe.
Hey! If I bake it at night can I keep overnight without fridge or will it spoil? Weather here is 19°. Thanx!M
Hi 🙂 It will be fine, just keep it covered 🙂