• About
  • Work with Me
  • Contact
  • Food Photography

Chef Janet

So good, they'll never know it's gluten-free.

  • Gluten-Free Recipes
    • Appetizers and Snacks
    • Baked Goods
    • Breakfast
    • Dessert
    • Main Course
    • Salads
    • Sauces and Dressings
    • Side Dishes
    • Soup
    • Vegan
    • Vegetarian
  • Cooking Basics
  • Gluten-Free Diet Tips
Home » Baked Goods » Gluten-Free Lemon Cake

May 27, 2020 (last updated March 9, 2021)

Gluten-Free Lemon Cake

Jump to Recipe

When I offer people gluten-free lemon cake as an option they don’t always jump on it. But if I give them a sample, that’s a different story. This gluten-free lemon cake is light, moist and also dairy-free. It is one of my favorite cakes of all time and the favorite of many of my friends, family and clients.

Be sure to check out my full list of gluten-free, dairy-free cake recipes including my dreamy gluten-free coconut cake and my gluten-free-dairy-free cupcake recipes.

2 layer gluten-free lemon cake with buttercream frosting on white marble cake stand. slices of lemon on top of cake

This recipe yields 2 generously tall layers. This way your layer cake will look grand and substantial and will feed 12 or more. I make lots of cakes for clients and there’s nothing worse than a layer cake that’s too small.

close up of gluten-free lemon cupcakes with vanilla icing garnished with lemon zest on wood board

Ingredients

The key to the lemon flavor in this gluten-free cake is lots of lemon zest and lemon extract. Lemon zest is the outer layer of the lemon skin and has a strong pop of flavor. Using a microplane is the easiest and best way to zest a lemon. If you haven’t used lemon zest before, here is a quick tutorial on how to zest a lemon.

I like to add the zest to the dairy-free milk the night or the morning before and let it sit in the refrigerator. This allows the lemon zest to really give up its flavor into the cake, You can also warm the milk with the lemon zest for 10-15 seconds in the microwave. This will help flavor the milk and the cake.

Gluten-Free Flour

white bowl of flour with metal measuring cup for gluten-free lemon cake
Chef Janet K Gluten-Free Baking Los Angeles, California

I have used several different gluten-free flour blends for this cake and they all worked well. I prefer to mix up my own as a cost-saver. See the notes in the recipe for a super simple DIY gluten-free flour blend or my blog post on gluten–free flours.

If you prefer a store bought blend, I recommend King Arthur Gluten-Free Measure for Measure flour which already contains xanthan gum. It works very well in this recipe. Cup4Cup (contains dairy) and Pamela’s Artisan Blend are similar and will work also.

Whichever gluten-free flour you use, read the label. If yours contains xanthan gum, guar gum or inulin, no need to add the xanthan gum called for in the recipe.

How to tell when the lemon cake is done

I find it much easier to tell when a gluten-free cake is ready. When the top of this gluten-free lemon cake is set you can be pretty sure it’s done. The surface of the layer will be uniformly set, unlike gluten-filled cakes that can look set but sometimes be under done on the inside. I feel pretty confident that it’s ready without having to drop in a toothpick.

Continue to Content
2 layer gluten-free lemon cake with buttercream frosting on white marble cake stand. slices of lemon on top of cake

Gluten-Free Lemon Cake

Yield: 2 8 or 9" layers
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes

This gluten-free lemon cake is one of my favorite cakes of all time and will soon be your favorite.

Ingredients

  • 2½ c gluten-free flour blend*
  • 1 Tbsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp xanthan gum (omit if your flour blend contains it)
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 2 c sugar
  • 1 cup dairy-free milk (almond, coconut, soy)
  • 1 c oil (I prefer sunflower)
  • 4 eggs
  • zest of 2 lemons
  • 1 Tbsp lemon extract
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350° and grease and line 2 round 8 or 9" cake pans.
  2. Zest the lemon and whisk into the oil and milk. Set aside, This will allow time for the lemon zest to give up its flavor to the liquid. I do this the night before I make the cake and store in the fridge.
  3. Whisk the all dry ingredients, except the sugar, together in a large mixing bowl.
  4. Beat the sugar with all of the wet ingredients together in another bowl. Beat until the mixture is pale yellow and creamy.
  5. Add the wet ingredients to the dry and mix until smooth.
  6. Divide the batter evenly between the 2 pans and bake 35-40 minutes for 8" layers and 30-35 minutes for 9" layers or until the top is set and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  7. Cool the cakes in the pan for 5-10 minutes, then remove them from the pan and finish cooling on a wire rack.

Notes

 King Arthur Flour Measure for Measure Flour works well in this recipe (contains xanthan gum)

This is the gluten-free flour blend I prefer for this cake:

1 c sweet white sorghum flour
3/4 c millet flour
1/4 c brown rice flour
2/3 c potato starch
1/3 c tapioca starch

These flours can all be found(certified gluten-free) at Vitacost.com

This is an easy DIY gluten-free flour blend:

2 c brown rice flour
2/3 c potato starch
1/3 c tapioca starch

Did you make this recipe?

Share the yum!

© Janet Harlow
Cuisine: American / Category: Baked Goods
  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Email

Posted In: Baked Goods, Dessert · Tagged: cake, layer cake, lemon

About Me
Hi, Welcome! I'm Chef Janet and I create gluten-free recipes that everyone will love, gluten-free or not.

Set up a customized lesson with me to learn basic cooking techniques, gluten-free, menu planning and kitchen tips to make your life easier. Follow me on instagram to keep up with my latest and let me know how I can help.

Follow along on Instagram

These chocolate strawberry tartlets have a graham These chocolate strawberry tartlets have a graham cracker crumb crust, a vegan chocolate filling topped with fresh strawberries, for the perfect one bite treat. Link to the brand new recipe in my profile.
🍓🍫🍓
These tartlets can be made gluten-free or not vegan or not, but anyway you make them they will be a gorgeous & delicious bite.
🍓🍫🍓
This is my contribution to the #onebitefoodcollab hosted by @deliciousfood2k19.
🍓🍫🍓
#tartlets #chocolateandstrawberries #chocolatetartlets #onebite #glutenfreetreats #glutenfreerecipe #glutenfreedessert #easydessert #grahamcrackercrust #chocolateavocado #foodphotography  #strawberrytartlet #minidesserts #vegantartlets #smalldesserts #vegandesserts #featuremyfood @nutpods @pamelasproducts
A perfect dessert is sweet, creamy, crunchy and me A perfect dessert is sweet, creamy, crunchy and melts in your mouth. This buttery bunny cookie and carrot cake cupcake check all the boxes. Both gluten-free recipes are up on my blog!
🐇🥕🐇
This is my contribution to the #spring_foodphoto_challenge hosted by, @turkuazkitchen  and @sweettooth_foodtography sponsored by @alacarte.props @myluciebackdrops @jeffersonstreetceramics and judged by @voll_korn 
🥕🐇🥕
#bunnycookies #eastercupcakes #carrotcake #carrotcupcakes #glutenfreecarrotcake #buttercreamfrosting #cookieicing #buttercookies #cutoutcookies #foodphotography #glutenfreecupcakes #glutenfreecookies #glutenfreedessert #eastertreats #easyglutenfree #glutenfreebaker
Which gluten-free flour do you prefer? I have roun Which gluten-free flour do you prefer? I have rounded up 12 of my favorite recipes that I tested with King Arthur's Gluten-Free Measure for Measure flour, including these GLUTEN-FREE COFFEE CAKE MUFFINS. Link to the blog post in my profile @chefjanetk
🥚🧂🥄
Options for gluten-free flour have gotten so much better over the past few years. Maybe you remember when you had to have five different kinds of flour, starches and xanthan gum in your pantry? But now that one for one options are available, that's no longer necessary.
🥄🧂🥚
Gluten-free flour can be so expensive but I have shopped around and found the best price for you linked in my blog posts. You'll find my Gluten-Free Vanilla Cake recipe, cookie recipes, banana bread and more.
🧂🥄🥚
#glutenfreeflour #glutenfreerecipes #bakingflour #glutenfreebaking #glutenfreeflours #glutenfreemuffins #crumbcake #coffeecakemuffins #coffeecakerecipe #coffeecakes #glutenfreecake #glutenfreevanillacake #glutenfreecake #foodphotography #glutenfreebaker #losangeleschef #glutenfreelosangeles
Do I need to say more than "spring is here"? These Do I need to say more than "spring is here"? These Raspberry Lemonade Cupcakes are topped with fondant flowers and piped buttercream grass for the perfect spring time treat. They are gluten-free, dairy-free and the recipe link is in my profile.
🧁🍋🧁
This is my contribution to the #spring_foodphoto_challenge hosted by @turkuazkitchen & @sweettooth_foodtography sponsored by @alacarte.props @myluciebackdrops & @jeffersonstreetceramics & judged by @voll_korn Thanks so much to them for making it happen!
🧁🍋🧁
#fondantflowers #glutenfreecupcakes #cupcakerecipe #raspberrycupcakes #lemonade #cupcakerecipes #springdessert  #eastercupcakes #glutenfreebaker #glutenfreelife #glutenfreedesserts #buttercreamfrosting #cakedecorations @fondx #glutenfreeeaster #lemoncupcakes
What is your favorite spring dessert? I think thes What is your favorite spring dessert? I think these Gluten-Free Raspberry Lemonade Cupcakes are the perfect Springtime treat. Link to the easy recipe in my profile.
🍋🧁🍋
I used store bought lemonade, lemon zest & lemon extract for a triple dose of lemon. Add sweet tart raspberries & sweet frosting for, imo, the perfect cupcake.
🍋🧁🍋
This is my contribution to the #spring_foodphoto_challenge
hosted by @sweettooth_foodtography @turkuazkitchen judged by @voll_korn & sponsored by @alacarte.props @jeffersonstreetceramics @myluciebackdrops Check out the hashtag for more beautiful spring photos.
🍋🧁🍋
#glutenfreecupcakes #raspberrycupcakes #raspberrylemonade #cupcakerecipe #freshraspberries #organicraspberries #glutenfreebaking #bakingfromscratch #featuremyfood #lemonadecake #lemonbuttercream #lemonbuttercreamfrosting #foodphotography #glutenfreebaker
My Gluten-Free, No-Spread Cut Out Cookie recipe is My Gluten-Free, No-Spread Cut Out Cookie recipe is perfect for these cute Spring cookies.Link to the recipe in my insta  profile.
🐇🥕🐇 
Decorated with an easy cookie icing that is colored with @colorkitchenfoods plant-based, powdered food colors. The powdered colors are especially great for frosting and icing because it won't make them runny like liquid food colors.
🐇🥕🐇
#gifted #cutoutcookies
#eastercookies #easterbunnycookies #glutenfreecookies #buttercookies #cookieicing #featuremyfood #cookierecipe #glutenfreebaking #cookiedecorating #foodcoloring #glutenfreeeaster #reaturemyfood #cookiesfromscratch #glutenfreelife #thebakefeed #cutecookies #glutenfreechef #bunnycookies
These Gluten-Free Lemonade Scones are the perfect These Gluten-Free Lemonade Scones are the perfect sweet and tart breakfast treat. Link to the brand new recipe in my profile.
🍋🍋🍋
I haven't had a scone since going gluten-free years ago and they are one of my favorite breakfast bakes. So I went to work on the recipe. Scones are traditionally made with cream but I am lactose-free too. So I subbed in @greenvalleycreamery lactose free sour cream and it is a winner! A little butter, lemonade plus lemon zest and a lemon icing makes these scones lemony & sweet.
🍋🍋🍋
This is my contribution to the lemon #flavourbakecollab hosted by @theaccidentalcaker and @criticalcupcakeunit A big thank you to them for organizing a collab with my favorite flavor! Check out the hashtag for more amazing lemon bakes.
These Gluten-Free Funfetti Cookies are the definit These Gluten-Free Funfetti Cookies are the definition of fun. Better yet the recipe is super easy and mixes up in one bowl. Link to the new recipe in my profile. 
🎉🎉🎉
I did a little research on gluten-free rainbow sprinkles & included the info in the recipe. Gluten-free is a must for me and plant-based colors are a preference. It's hard to find both in certified gluten-free sprinkles. 
🎉🎉🎉
I've seen a lot of people using  funfetti cake mix as a base for funfetti cookies. The only dry ingredients needed for this recipe are flour, baking powder, salt and sprinkles. A gluten-free box mix costs $6 so I'd rather do it from scratch! 
🎉🎉🎉
#funfetticookies #foodphotography #glutenfreecookies #funcookies #rainbowsprinkles #glutenfreerecipes #cookierecipe #bakefromscratch #featuremyfood #funfetti #glutenfreeblog

Copyright © 2021 Chef Janet · Theme by 17th Avenue · Privacy Policy