Mothers Day Lemon Drizzle Cake (Printable)

Moist lemon cake topped with tangy drizzle and decorated with edible flowers for a fresh, elegant touch.

# What You'll Need:

→ Cake

01 - 8 oz unsalted butter, softened
02 - 8 oz caster sugar
03 - 4 large eggs
04 - 8 oz self-raising flour
05 - Zest of 2 unwaxed lemons
06 - 2 tablespoons whole milk
07 - Pinch of salt

→ Lemon Drizzle

08 - Juice of 2 lemons
09 - 4.4 oz icing sugar

→ Decoration

10 - 2 tablespoons icing sugar for dusting
11 - Assorted edible flowers such as violas, pansies, nasturtiums, or rose petals

# Steps:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and line a 2 lb loaf tin with parchment paper.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and caster sugar until pale and fluffy, approximately 3-4 minutes.
03 - Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition to ensure proper emulsification.
04 - Fold in the self-raising flour, lemon zest, milk, and salt until just combined. Avoid overmixing.
05 - Pour the batter into the prepared loaf tin and level the top with a spatula.
06 - Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the center emerges clean.
07 - While the cake bakes, mix the lemon juice and icing sugar in a small bowl until smooth.
08 - Once baked, leave the cake in the tin and pierce the surface all over using a skewer. While still warm, slowly pour the drizzle over the cake, allowing it to absorb.
09 - Allow the cake to cool completely in the tin before removing to a serving platter.
10 - Dust lightly with extra icing sugar if desired and garnish with edible flowers immediately before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The cake stays incredibly moist for days, so you can actually make it ahead without stress.
  • That tangy-sweet balance hits differently when the glaze soaks in while everything's still warm.
  • It's elegant enough for company but honest enough to enjoy with tea on an ordinary Tuesday.
02 -
  • Don't skip the poke-and-drizzle stage while the cake is still warm—a cold cake won't absorb the glaze and you'll just have icing on top instead of that beautiful moistness throughout.
  • Room temperature ingredients are genuinely non-negotiable; they emulsify properly and create a lighter crumb than cold ingredients ever could.
03 -
  • Use unwaxed lemons so you can zest without worrying about consuming wax or pesticide residue—it's a small detail that matters.
  • If your edible flowers come with stems, remove them completely and separate delicate petals rather than using whole blooms, which can be overwhelming on the plate.
Go Back