If you’re craving the most delightful delicacy with a delicious, zesty taste and the true British Classic flavor, you should try making this Lemon Drizzle Traybake.
It is a very fluffy and light cake, along with a topping of a tangy lemon syrup, which is loved by people at gatherings, tea-time, and bake sales across the UK.
This cake is a beauty of its own. It uses ingredients that are easily available at home with very easy steps, making it impressive.
The knife cuts into a golden sponge, soaked in a very sweet, zesty drizzle. Each bite bursts into fresh citrus flavour. It does not need any fancy or expensive tools to make; it is just a simple baking bliss. Eating this cake brightens up everyone’s mood.
A British lemon drizzle traybake can be baked when unexpected guests arrive or when you want to give a sweet treat to your family on the weekend. It is perfectly paired with a warm cup of tea during the afternoon or as a picnic snack with family and friends, making this recipe a reliable favorite.
This guide will lead you to the exact UK lemon drizzle cake recipe that gives a perfect moist texture, vibrant flavour, and maximum freshness. We will also share tips for keeping it fresh, storing it, and making your version of this cake.
Why You’ll Love This Lemon Drizzle Traybake
The moist lemon drizzle tray bake has something special that always succeeds in brightening everyone’s mood. The fluffy citric sponge makes every bite refreshing and comforting. Here is why this recipe is worth trying.
- Family-friendly lemon drizzle traybake – Loved by people of all ages, making it a perfect sweet treat for parties, birthday dinners, family gatherings, and even school lunches.
- Perfect for beginners – No specific skills required. You can perfect it even if you have never baked anything before.
- Classic lemon drizzle traybake flavour – It is a traditional cake, baked at least once in every British kitchen.
- Keeps well – It can be baked beforehand and can be enjoyed all week without losing any moisture or taste.
- Versatile serving – It perfectly fits as an afternoon tea lemon traybake, which can also be served as a late-night dessert or on a picnic with family.
Also Read: Mary Berry Date and Walnut Cake: A Classic Moist Loaf You’ll Love
Fun fact: The traditional lemon traybake UK originated to make fruit-flavoured cakes more common as they are easy to store, share, and convenient to serve in bigger batches for communities and gatherings.
Easy Lemon Drizzle Traybake Recipe
Ingredients
- 225 g Roomtemperature unsalted butter
- 225 g Superfinesugar
- 4 Eggs
- 225 g Self-raisingflour
- 2 Lemon zest from fresh lemons organicto get the maximum flavour
- 2 tbsp Milk
- 2 Fresh lemon juice
- 175g Icing sugar
Instructions
- Step 1: Prepare the Oven and the pan The oven needs to be Preheated at 180°C (160°C fan) / 350°F. Greasing and lining a rectangular baking pan which is approximately 30 x 23cm wide with baking paper is necessary, as it ensures your moist lemon drizzle tray bake comes out of the pan easily.
- Step 2: Make the Batter Sponge. Mix the sugar and butter together until light in colour which creates pockets of air, rising your cake perfectly. Then add the eggs one by one, mix well after adding each egg. Carefully start folding in the self raising flour with a spatula that helps in keeping the air pockets in the batter. Add the zest of lemons and milk until a smooth batter is made.
- Step 3: Baking the Sponge. Pour the batter into the baking pan, and smooth out the top. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until golden or when the knife comes out clean. If the sponge feels like a fluffy cloud when touched, then the cake is ready.
- Step 4: Prepare the Drizzle. While the cake batter is in the oven, start preparing the top drizzle. Add fresh lemon juice in a bowl along with icing sugar and mix well. It must turn into a syrup, which is easy to pour on the cake. You can adjust the sugar according to your taste.
- Step 5: Warm Drizzle on Top. Take the cake out of the oven and prick it with a fork on the top. Pour the zesty syrup on the fluffy golden cake evenly, until it soaks up all the syrup. The secret to the moister of the classic lemon drizzle traybake is this zesty sugary syrup.
- Step 6: Let it Cool before Slicing. Let the cake cool down to room temperature in the baking pan for at least 15 minutes before it is transferred on a plate. The cake is traditionally cut into squares for serving but you can cut it however you like.
Notes
Why These Ingredients are important:
- The addition of fresh lemons makes sure that the British lemon drizzle traybake has a perfect zesty flavour.
- Self-raising flour to make the cake spongy and fluffy.
- Room temperature butter mixes more quickly and sufficiently, which helps in making a perfect smooth batter.
Substitutes:
- For a gluten-free traditional lemon traybake UK version, use gluten-free self-raising flour instead of self-raising flour.
- For an eggless cake, add 4 tbsp of plain yoghurt instead of eggs or use vegan vegan-friendly egg substitute.
- Lime or orange zest can be used for a tangy, twisted flavour.
Serving Ideas
A family-friendly lemon drizzle traybake is very well-rounded:- It can be served in the afternoon tea, lemon traybake gatherings with freshly brewed tea and fine china.
- It can easily be served with custard or cream for a rich dessert.
- Wrap the slices separately for school lunch or office snacks.
- It can also be served in a dessert buffet at the summer parties.
- It is best served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream while the cake is still warm.
Tips for the Perfect Moist Lemon Drizzle Traybake
- The British lemon drizzle traybake must be made with fresh lemons for the perfect original taste. Using store-bought lemon juice will not give the same taste.
- Overmixing the batter makes a dense sponge.
- Syrup is drizzled on a warm sponge — this makes the syrup soak in the sponge better, while keeping the moist lemon drizzle tray bake texture.
- It can be stored for up to 4 days in an airtight container or for up to 2 months in the freezer.
- For more tang, add extra lemon zest to the syrup mixture.
Also Read: Tres Leches Cheesecake Recipe: A Creamy Twist on a Latin Classic
Variations to Try
- The traditional lemon traybake UK is loved by most people. These are a few changes you can try:
- Gluten-free version – Switch self-raising flour with a gluten-free flour.
- Eggless version – You can use mashed banana or yogurt instead.
- Orange drizzle – You can replace lemons with oranges to get a sweeter flavour, which is also zesty.
- Poppy seed twist – poppy seeds can be added to the mixture for a crunchy texture.
- Coconut lemon drizzle – 50g of desiccated coconut can also be added to the batter
Conclusion
The zesty and fluffy mouth-melting sponge of this cake is a warm hug of a sweet treat that hits right on the spot. Whether you’re in a calm family gathering or in a quiet tea time afternoon, this classic lemon drizzle traybake wins all the hearts. It is easy to bake, storage-friendly, and a very spontaneous dessert, which has a very reliable recipe. These kinds of recipes encourage people to bake more often. So just preheat your oven, take out your lemons from the fridge, and get the joy of baking this classic delight.
Disclaimer
We are an educational platform, not professional counselors, therapists, or medical experts. The content on this blog is for informational purposes only and should not be taken as professional parenting, medical, psychological, or legal advice. Every family and child is unique, and what works for one may not work for another. Always seek guidance from qualified professionals before making decisions about your family’s health, education, or well-being. I share my personal experiences here purely for entertainment purposes, so please do not take them too seriously or apply them to yourself without proper consideration.
