California Sunshine Cake
Brighten your day with the vibrant flavors of a California Sunshine Cake! This zesty citrus dessert combines the tangy essence of freshly squeezed lemon juice and fragrant orange zest to create a refreshingly light yet indulgent treat. The moist, buttery cake is perfectly accented with a luscious lemon glaze that drizzles effortlessly over the sides for a rustic, sun-kissed finish. Perfect as a centerpiece for brunches, picnics, or afternoon tea, this easy-to-make cake is a crowd-pleaser that comes together in just an hour. With its sunny citrus notes and melt-in-your-mouth texture, this recipe is the ultimate way to bring a taste of California sunshine to your table!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1.5 teaspoons baking powder
- 0.5 teaspoons salt
- 0.75 cups unsalted butter (softened)
- 1.25 cups granulated sugar
- 3 units large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons orange zest
- 0.25 cups lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
- 0.5 cups whole milk
- 1 cups powdered sugar (for glaze)
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice (for glaze)
- 2 tablespoons milk (for glaze)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9-inch round cake pan. Line the bottom with parchment paper for easy release.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in the vanilla extract and orange zest.
Reduce the mixer speed to low and alternate adding the dry ingredients and the wet ingredients (lemon juice and milk). Start and end with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined; do not overmix.
Pour the batter evenly into the prepared cake pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
Bake for 35–40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
To make the glaze, whisk together the powdered sugar, lemon juice, and milk in a small bowl until smooth and pourable.
Once the cake is completely cooled, drizzle the glaze evenly over the top, letting it drip down the sides for a rustic look.
Let the glaze set for 10–15 minutes before slicing and serving. Enjoy your sunny California-inspired treat!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
403 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 16.6 g | 21% | |
| Saturated Fat | 10.0 g | 50% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 96 mg | 32% | |
| Sodium | 208 mg | 9% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 58.2 g | 21% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 0.9 g | 3% | |
| Total Sugars | 38.5 g | ||
| Protein | 5.1 g | 10% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.7 mcg | 4% | |
| Calcium | 34 mg | 3% | |
| Iron | 1.2 mg | 7% | |
| Potassium | 78 mg | 2% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
