Lemonade Layer Cake

Name: Lemonade Layer Cake
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 28 min
Total time: 138 min
Ingredients: 8 oz cream cheese, softened ((226g) We used one 8 oz package, full fat.); 1 ½ sticks unsalted butter, softened ((168g) unsalted butter, softened); 2 cups sugar ((400g)); 4 large eggs, room temperature ((to save time you can warm them in a bowl of very warm water for 5 min)); 3 cups cake flour- see Notes for substitution ((342g)); 2 teaspoons baking powder ((8g)); ½ teaspoon baking soda ((3g)); ½ teaspoon salt ((3g)); ½ cup milk ((175g)); ½ cup concentrated lemonade, thawed; ¼ cup vegetable oil (we used canola oil) ((54g)); Lemon Zest from one lemon ((Optional) ); 1 tablespoon Lemon Extract ((We used McCormick Brand.)); Yellow Coloring Gel for desired shade of yellow ((Optional)); 3 sticks unsalted butter, softened ((339g)); 16 oz cream cheese ((We used two 8 oz packages cream cheese, full fat)); 1 teaspoon vanilla extract ((4g)); 1 teaspoon lemon extract- adjust amount to your liking ((4g)); ½ teaspoon salt ((2g)); 7 cups Powdered Sugar (adjust slightly up or down to your liking (805g)); Yellow Coloring Gel (Optional. We used a very small amount for tinting.); Lemonade Concentrate (A small amount for each layer- leftover from the lemonade used in the cake batter.)

This ultra moist Lemonade Layer Cake is soft, lemony and delicious with just a hint of tartness from the concentrated lemonade in the recipe.

Keep this recipe in mind for the lemon lovers in your life! It is perfect for all sorts of occasions, from birthdays to holidays, showers, and more!

Lemonade Layer Cake, sliced, on a cake pedestal.

Table of Contents

How to Make Lemonade Layer Cake

You can find the full, printable Lemonade Layer Cake recipe further down in this post. Here is a quick look at our steps!

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Grease and flour three 8 inch pans. We like to line the bottom of our pans with circles of parchment paper.
Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk the cake flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt for 30 seconds and set aside.
In another bowl, combine the milk, vegetable oil, ½ cup concentrated lemonade (thawed), lemon extract, and lemon zest. Set aside.

In the bowl of your mixer, add the butter and softened cream cheese and mix at medium speed until smooth.
Gradually add the sugar and mix at medium speed for 2-3 minutes.

Add the room temperature eggs one at a time, mixing until the yellow of the yolk disappears. If using Yellow Coloring Gel, you can add it now or any time during the mixing process.

With the mixer on low speed, alternately add the flour mixture and the milk mixture, beginning and ending with the flour mixture (We did 3 additions of the dry mixture, 2 additions of wet). Slightly increase the mixer speed just until combined.

Lemonade Layer Cake Batter in mixing bowl.

Divide the batter between the three prepared pans.
Bake at 325 degrees F for 28-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with just a few crumbs attached. Let cool for 5-10 minutes in the pans on a wire rack before turning out.
This recipe makes approximately 8 cups of batter. Works for cupcakes also.

Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting

We filled and frosted our cake with a creamy and delicious Lemon Cream Cheese frosting. This simple recipe comes together quickly and is SO good! It is a combination of softened cream cheese, softened butter, powdered sugar, a pinch of salt, and lemon extract. We used a bit of yellow coloring gel also.

We've used a few different variations of lemon cream cheese frosting over the years. Today's recipe makes plenty of frosting for filling, frosting, and decorating the cake.

Decorating the Cake

Once the lemonade cake layers have cooled, it is time to decorate! Place the first cake layer on a cake pedestal or cake base. Then, we lightly brushed the top of the cake layer using some of the leftover concentrated lemonade. (This step is optional but we like the added boost of lemonade flavor).

Brushing lemonade cake layer with lemonade, using a pastry brush.

Next, we added a layer of lemon cream cheese frosting.

Applying lemon cream cheese frosting to the cake layer.

Repeat these steps for the other cake layers. After applying the third cake layer, lightly brush with the concentrated lemonade and frost the cake. We like to first apply a thin (crumb coat) layer of frosting around the sides and top.

Then, we popped it into the freezer for 10-15 minutes to firm everything up a bit before applying the final coat of frosting. This optional step helps to prevent the layers from shifting around as you decorate.

Decorate the cake however you like! We used a small, offset spatula to frost and then apply texture to the frosting around the sides and top of the cake. We then added a top border using a large (1M) star tip.

Recipe FAQs

Yes! Just as with the majority of our cakes, these cake layers can be made in advance and frozen. After baking, allow the cake layers to cool down until warm, the individually wrap with plastic wrap followed by foil. (We like to place each layer on a foil-wrapped cake board for extra support). Then, pop into the freezer for up to three months!

To thaw, remove the wrapped layers, and unwrap after about 20 minutes. Continue to thaw do desired amount before assembling the cake.

Cake flour has a lower protein content than all purpose flour. This results in less gluten formation in the cake batter, which makes for a softer, more tender cake.

Yes, because of the lemon cream cheese frosting, this cake should be refrigerated in an airtight container, under a cake dome, or in a sealed bakery box.

However, for the very best flavor and texture, remove the cake from the refrigerator a couple of hours before serving. This will allow time for the cake and frosting to warm and soften.

More Lemon Cakes

We have many more lemony cakes and cupcakes to share with you! You can find lots of our favorites in our collection of lemon cakes. You'll find our lemon cake from scratch, lemon buttermilk cake, lemon velvet cake, and many more.

Thanks so much for stopping by! We hope that you enjoy this lemonade layer cake. Keep it in mind for your next celebration! Your family and friends will love it. ;0)

Have you made this? We would LOVE for you to leave a ⭐️ rating as well as a comment and photo below! We really appreciate your feedback!