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A soft, airy lemon cloud cake with white frosting.

Classic Lemon Cloud Cake

This light and airy Classic Lemon Cloud Cake is bursting with fresh lemon flavor, featuring a delicate crumb and a sweet, tangy lemon glaze, perfect for any occasion.
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings 8 slices
Calories 350 kcal

Equipment

  • 9-inch round cake pan
  • Electric mixer
  • Wire rack

Ingredients
  

For the Cake

  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup granulated sugar divided
  • ½ cup unsalted butter softened
  • 4 large egg yolks
  • 1 tablespoon lemon zest from 2 medium lemons
  • ½ cup fresh lemon juice from 2-3 medium lemons
  • ½ cup whole milk
  • 4 large egg whites at room temperature
  • ¼ teaspoon cream of tartar

For the Glaze

  • 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
  • 3-4 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

Instructions
 

Preparation

  • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a 9-inch round cake pan by greasing and flouring it, adding parchment paper to the bottom for extra protection.
  • In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt, then set this mixture aside.
  • In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and ¾ cup of granulated sugar together using an electric mixer until they become light and fluffy.
  • Add the egg yolks one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next, then stir in the lemon zest and lemon juice.
  • Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the butter mixture, alternating with the milk, starting and ending with the dry ingredients, mixing until just combined without overmixing.
  • In a separate clean bowl, beat the egg whites with the cream of tartar until soft peaks form, then gradually add the remaining ¼ cup granulated sugar and continue beating until stiff, glossy peaks form.
  • Gently fold about a third of the whipped egg whites into the cake batter to lighten it, then carefully fold in the remaining egg whites until no streaks remain, being delicate to maintain airiness.
  • Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
  • Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10-15 minutes before inverting it onto a wire rack to cool completely.
  • While the cake cools, whisk together the powdered sugar and lemon juice in a small bowl until smooth, adjusting the juice as needed for your desired consistency.
  • Once the cake is completely cool, generously drizzle the lemon glaze over the top and allow it to set slightly before slicing and serving.

Notes

For best results, ensure all cold ingredients like butter and eggs are at room temperature before you start baking. This helps create a smooth, emulsified batter and a tender cake. When folding in egg whites, be very gentle to maintain as much air as possible, which is key to the "cloud" texture.