Whole Lemon Blender Cake

4.53 from 355 reviews

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Thanks to all of you incredible humans who not only tried my viral Whole Orange Blender Cake but looked at the variations and substitutions and thought, “Say no more 🤌.” Because of you, the Whole Lemon Blender Cake was born. Made with Meyer lemons 🍋, this Whole Lemon Blender cake is no average lemon loaf. Unlike regular lemons, Meyer lemons have a much thinner skin that’s almost sweet, making them the ideal choice for this fluffy, moist and perfectly citrusy cake.

Lemon loaf cake with lemon glaze, sliced on a marble surface. Two whole lemons and lemon slices are placed nearby. A knife and stacked plates are visible in the background.

Why You’ll Love Whole Lemon Blender Cake

This recipe is perfect for those who appreciate simplicity and convenience. With only 10 minutes of prep time and a few simple steps, which include throwing all the ingredients into a high-powered blender (we are all about that no-labor life 💅), you will create the most delicious, tender, melt-in-your-mouth lemon loaf. Topped with a sweet lemon glaze, this whole lemon blender cake is perfectly lemony and ridiculously good 🤤. If you’re craving that Starbucks lemon loaf experience but want to do the absolute least, this is the recipe for you!

Three slices of moist Whole Lemon Blender Cake arranged on a white plate, with a light glaze visible on the surface, set on a light-colored tabletop.

How to Prepare

🔥 Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C) and prepare a loaf pan with parchment paper and baking spray.

🍋 Be sure to wash the lemon well before adding it to the blender.

🌀 Add all of the ingredients to a high-powered blender, starting with the wet ingredients. Blend for about 20 seconds until a thick, pourable batter forms. Do not over-blend!

♨️ Pour the batter into the lined pan and bake for 45-50 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean 2 inches from the side.

🧊 Let the cake cool for 10 minutes, then remove it from the loaf pan.

❄️ Once cooled, feel free to drizzle the cake with lemon glaze, made with powdered sugar and lemon juice, if desired. Enjoy!

Nonna’s Tip 🍋

I used a Meyer lemon, which is sweeter and less tart than a regular lemon. It also has thinner skin and is, therefore, easier to blend. Do NOT over-blend this cake. If your blender is not powerful enough to break down the lemon peel, please zest it, peel it, and use that instead. I use a Vitamix and blend for only about 20 seconds. 

A sliced loaf of lemon drizzle cake with a light glaze on top is displayed against a white tiled background. Lemons are placed nearby, and crumbs are scattered around the cake.

Whole Lemon Blender Cake Variations and Substitutions

Remember to adjust quantities accordingly and have fun experimenting with these variations to create the best version of my Whole Lemon Blender Cake 💛 that suits your preferences!

  1. Instead of all-purpose flour, you can try using whole wheat flour, oat flour, almond flour, or 🥥 coconut flour. However, you will have to experiment and adjust the quantities.
  2. For a gluten-free cake, a 1-1 gluten-free flour might work, but you will have to test to see.
  3. I used a lemon glaze on top of my cake, but you could use powdered sugar or leave it plain.
  4. Feel free to experiment with 🍯 honey, maple syrup, or monk fruit sweetener instead of sugar if you prefer a natural sweetener.
  5. Add chopped nuts such as walnuts, pecans, or almonds.
  6. This cake would be delicious with some poppy seeds to make a lemon-poppy seed version!
  7. Include shredded coconut or grated 🥕 carrots for additional texture.

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Common Questions

What type of Lemon should I use?

I used Meyer lemons for this recipe, as they are the sweetest and least bitter or sour of all the lemon varieties. Therefore, I believe they are the best, but you can absolutely use a regular lemon making sure not to over-blend.

What happens if I over-Blend this cake?

It is very important to NOT over-blend this cake. Do not blend for more than 15-20 seconds. The more the cake is blended the more it breaks down the pith which will make for a very bitter cake.

How long should I blend the batter for?

Do NOT over-blend this cake. If your blender is not powerful enough to break down the lemon peel, please zest it, peel it, and use that instead. I use a Vitamix and blend only for about 20 seconds. 

Can I make this lemon cake gluten-free?

I have not tried making this cake gluten-free but you could try using a gluten-free 1-to-1 all-purpose flour for baking. Let me know if you try it and how it comes out!

Would this recipe work with clementines?

I have tested this recipe with clementines, and it comes out so well! My Whole Clementine Blender Cake recipe is linked HERE.

Could I add poppy seeds to this recipe?

Absolutely, you can add poppy seeds to this recipe to make a lemon poppy seed cake!

Can I adjust the recipe for keto, low-carb, or other diets?

If you have any dietary preferences (like keto or low-carb), you will have to experiment with a 1-to-1 monk fruit sweetener and various other alternatives. Please let us know in the comments of this blog how you made this cake differently so others can learn as well.

How can I adjust the sweetness of the cake?

You can always adjust the sugar in this recipe as it’s not overly sweet. Feel free to add more if you like your baked goods sweeter. Alternatively, you could do less sugar if you’re trying to cut sugar out.

How will I know when the cake is done?

The bake time will depend on the oven and what type of pan you use, so please keep a good eye on it.

What type of pan do you use?

I use a ceramic, non-stick loaf pan for this recipe. You can use a different type of pan, but please keep a close eye on it as the baking time may reduce or increase.

How do you prepare the pan for baking?

I like to spray and line the loaf pan for easier cleanup, but feel free to butter and flour it if you wish to do so as well.

How do I store whole lemon blender cake?

You can store this cake, covered, on the counter for a few days, but it probably won’t last you that long!

Can I use an Orange instead of a Meyer lemon?

You can replace the lemon with an orange in this recipe. I have perfected this in my recipe for Whole Orange Blender Cake!

Could I use almond flour in place of all-purpose flour?

I have not tried this cake with almond flour, so you will have to experiment. If you choose to experiment with alternative ingredients, always add a little at a time until you have the proper consistency. 

How should I clean my lemons before using them in a recipe?

To ensure the lemons are clean, soak them in a vinegar and water solution and scrub them to draw out any impurities. Mix 1/4 cup of vinegar + 2 cups of water and soak for 5-10 minutes. Rinse and use as directed. 

can I use a food processor?

Yes you may. However, depending on the food processor and how powerful it is, you may need to peel the fruit and use the peeled fruit + zest instead.

What type of oil can I use for this recipe?

Any oil will work for this cake. You can also use melted butter if you’d like.

Can I substitute butter for the oil?

Yes, you can certainly use butter instead of oil for this recipe.

Would this recipe work in a Nutribullet?

A Nutribullet is not nearly as powerful, but If you try it in a Nutribullet, I would suggest peeling the lemon before blending.

What if my cake comes out too dense?

Always check the baking powder and flour before use! If the cake comes out too dense and not fluffy or moist, the baking powder is most likely out of date.

How can I check if my baking powder is still good?

You can test if baking powder has expired by adding ½ teaspoon baking powder to ¼ cup hot water. If the water bubbles up, it’s not expired; if it does not bubble, it’s expired and should be tossed. When using baking powder, always check the expiration date. Expired baking powder will not help a recipe rise in the oven, and will result in a sad, deflated cake.

Why are the metric weights of your ingredients different than the results of Google and my kitchen scale?

While 1 cup of flour weighs 160g in my kitchen, it might weigh anywhere from 120 to 180g in your kitchen and there’s a few reasons for that. The weight of ingredients may vary due to the brand of ingredients, the brand and style (wet vs dry) of measuring cups and spoons, and the technique for measuring into cups: scooping and leveling versus spooning the ingredients into the cup measure. For best results, go by the weight listed in the recipe.

5 from 355 reviews

Whole Lemon Blender Cake

A close-up of a glazed Whole Lemon Blender Cake on a white plate. The cake has shiny lemon icing drizzling down the sides. In the blurred background, there are holiday decorations and a lit fireplace.
Made with Meyer lemons 🍋, this Whole Lemon Blender cake is no ordinary lemon loaf. Unlike regular lemons, Meyer lemons have a much thinner skin that's almost sweet, making them a perfect choice for this super simple yet flavour-packed cake.
Makes: 12 slices
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes
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Ingredients

The Cake

  • avocado oil spray
  • 4 eggs, at room temperature
  • ¾ cup avocado oil
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 whole Meyer lemon, washed, quartered, and seeds removed
  • 1 teaspoon lemon extract
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • ¾ tablespoons baking powder, (make sure it's not expired)
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • powdered sugar, for dusting (optional)

The Lemon Glaze

  • ½ cup powdered sugar
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice, or until desired consistency

Instructions

The Cake

  • Please check if the baking powder or flour is expired prior to starting.
  • Preheat the oven to 350F (180C). Line a loaf pan with parchment paper and spray with baking spray. You can use a bigger size pan as well, but the cake will be larger and thinner, so you may need to adjust the baking time.
  • Wash the lemon really well. You can also soak it in some vinegar + water to draw out any impurities. Cut into slices or quarters.
  • Add all of the ingredients to a high-power blender, starting with the wet ingredients. Be sure to add the wet ingredients first so that the blender doesn't get stuck. Blend for 15-20 seconds or until a thick pourable batter forms. Do NOT over-blend as this will break down the pith and result in a very bitter cake.
  • Pour the batter into the lined pan and bake at 350F (180C) on the middle rack for 45 to 50 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean 2 inches from the side.
  • Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool for 10 minutes. Take the cake out of the loaf pan once it has cooled, and optionally top it with the lemon glaze. You can also enjoy this cake on its own or with a simple dusting of powdered sugar on top.

The Lemon Glaze

  • Combine the powdered sugar and lemon juice until you reach your desired consistency. Pour the glaze over the cake and enjoy!

Nonna’s Notes

Flour Substitutions: Instead of all-purpose flour, you can try using whole wheat flour, oat flour, almond flour, or coconut flour. However, you will have to experiment and adjust the quantities.
Gluten-Free: For a gluten-free cake, a 1-1 gluten-free flour might work, but you will have to test to see.
Glaze Alternatives: I used a lemon glaze on top of my cake, but you could use powdered sugar or leave it plain.
Natural Sweetners: Feel free to experiment with honey, maple syrup, or monk fruit sweetener instead of sugar if you prefer a natural sweetener.
Mix-Ins: Add chopped nuts such as walnuts, pecans, or almonds. This cake would be delicious with some poppy seeds to make a lemon-poppy seed version! Include shredded coconut or grated carrots for additional texture.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
Whole Lemon Blender Cake
Amount per Serving
Calories
302
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
15
g
23
%
Saturated Fat
 
2
g
13
%
Trans Fat
 
0.01
g
Polyunsaturated Fat
 
2
g
Monounsaturated Fat
 
10
g
Cholesterol
 
55
mg
18
%
Sodium
 
198
mg
9
%
Potassium
 
46
mg
1
%
Carbohydrates
 
38
g
13
%
Fiber
 
1
g
4
%
Sugar
 
22
g
24
%
Protein
 
4
g
8
%
Vitamin A
 
80
IU
2
%
Vitamin C
 
1
mg
1
%
Calcium
 
56
mg
6
%
Iron
 
1
mg
6
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

4.53 from 355 votes (338 ratings without comment)

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52 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Lovely and light! I don’t have a super powerful blender, so I blitzed the lemon, egg and oil in an old nutribullet, then stirred everything else together. Has to be the easiest prep for a cake I’ve made in ages. I made a half portion and baked it in small pullman loaf tin lined with baking paper and the lid off. 40 mins and it was perfect texture. Poked holes in the top and drizzled over with a lemon juice + icing sugar mixture. Next time I will add extra lemon but I like things extra lemony!

    A loaf of golden, homemade bread sits on parchment paper beside a baking pan, with kitchen utensils and a bottle in the background. The bread appears moist with a slightly crisp crust.

    1. Sooo happy this worked out for you Milli! I want to jump through the screen and share a slice. Looks amazing! 🤩

  2. 3 stars
    The cooking time was not long enough for the cake. I actually left it in longer more like an hour and a half. It was still wet in the middle. I followed the ingredients not sure why.

    1. Hi Sofia, there can be a few factors at play: your oven temp may not be accurate (an oven thermometer—usually $10 from Amazon—can help you assess if your oven is inaccurately high or low in its temp reading). The bake time also depends on the type of pan you use: how thick it is, how old it is, and whether it’s dark or light in color. Hope this helps ❤️

  3. 5 stars
    So excited to make this for Easter! The only Meyer lemons I could find are pretty small, should I still just use one?

  4. 2 stars
    I would recommend using a Vitamix for the wet ingredients, combine dry ingredients and then fold them into the wet. My Vitamix wasn’t able to quickly and easily mix this batter and it resulted in a heavy, wet, dense cake that went straight into the garbage. A sad waste of ingredients.

    1. I haven’t tried but I don’t see why not. I would try a Vanilla Protein Powder here :). If you try it, please let me know.

  5. 5 stars
    This was so good! I halved the recipe using the weight measurements, but next time I’ll make the full size loaf. I am in the UK and did not have Meyer lemons, so just used the supermarket lemons, and thankfully my blender was powerful enough. The loaf was soft and tender and lemons with a lovely little tang that prevented it from being too sweet. I think lemon loaf cake is one of those recipes everyone needs in their backpocket, and this one is going into mine. Easy and delicious!