Limoncello Loaf Cake

This limoncello Cake is bursting with a mixture of sweet and tart flavors that are sure to take you on an Italian vacation with every bite.

One thing is striking walking down the winding seaside of Sorrento. It is the undeniable smell of citrus, in particular, the lemons that catch your attention. From the groves of lemon trees lining the hillsides to the smells wafting out of kitchens and patios, the fresh scent of these fruits is undeniable.

Visit the Honest Cooking Cookbook Shop

It is not surprising that given the abundance of all this citrus in and around the Amalfi Coast, that people would find creative ways to use it. I don’t think it took long for Italians to discover how to turn lemons into alcoholic “lemonade:” Limoncello. Made by steeping these fresh lemons in vodka for at least a week, you can visit many fine Limoncello factories around the region.

In Sorrento, I sat down at a cafe each morning and started my day off with the most deliciously moist lemon loaf. I vowed to recreate this recipe at home but there was just something about the lemons in Italy that I just couldn’t find at home. At a complete loss, I turned to a bottle of limoncello that I had purchased in Sorrento and tried to infuse my loaf with that familiar taste…and there it was. The loaf just came to life with a burst of sweet and tart. I tried making the loaf with some homemade limoncello once my Italian supply was depleted and the result was the same. An intense burst of lemon and a cake that I now make when I’m craving something refreshing.

This cake is also a great base for adding ingredients you may want to experiment with. I’ve added in cranberries, blueberries or traditional poppy seeds to this loaf to very tasty results.

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

• Author: Michelle Rose
• Yield: 2 loafs 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

For the cake:

• 10 g 1/2 Ounce cake flour
• 200 g 7 Ounces All Purpose Flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• ¼ tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp salt
• 450 g 16 Ounces/1 Pound granulated sugar
• 10 eggs
• zest from 5 lemons
• 60 ml 4 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 454 g 16 Ounces or 1 Pound butter, melted, cooled
• 110 g 4 Ounces crème fraiche

For the Lemon Simple Syrup

• 100 ml 7 Tbsp lemon juice
• 100 g 3 1/2 Ounces sugar
• 50 g 2 Ounces limoncello

For the Lemon Glaze

• 240 g 8 1/2 Ounces Confectioners sugar
• 5 tbsp fresh lemon juice

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350F. Spray two 9X5X3 inch loaf pans with non stick cooking spray and line with parchment along the bottom and sides of the pan, keeping a little on the top to help pull the cake out
2. Sift flours, baking powder, baking soda and salt and set aside
3. In a stand mixer or food processor, whip or pulse sugar, eggs, lemon zest and lemon juice until combined. Add the melted butter slowly. Add the creme fraiche last and mix until combined.
4. Sprinkle in the flour in several additions, taking care not to overmix
5. Divide the batter evenly between your loaf pans and bake for 35 to 40 minutes, rotating a couple of times during baking. Check to see if the cake is fully baked by inserting a toothpick into the centre, making sure it comes out clean.
6. Remove from pans and let cool for 15 minutes
7. In the meantime make the lemon syrup by heating lemon juice and sugar on low heat until the sugar dissolves. Take off heat and add the limoncello
8. Place wire rack over a tray or parchment paper. Poke holes in the cake and brush the lemon syrup over the cake until most of the liquid has absorbed.
9. Let cakes cool completely before applying the lemon glaze
10. To make the glaze, whisk together sugar, and some of the lemon juice. If the glaze is too thick add some more lemon juice until you reach the right consistency.

• Category: Dolci