
A tangy Lemon Blueberry Cake that mixes zesty citrus with sweet berries in a delightful combo. Every bite offers moist vanilla cake filled with juicy blueberries and touched with fresh lemon zest, all covered in fluffy lemon buttercream.
Whenever I make this cake, I'm instantly taken back to the best days of summer. As those juicy berries pop while baking, they create little pockets of fruity goodness against the zingy lemon background, and you'll know you've got something truly amazing.
Key Components
- Fresh Blueberries: Frozen works too without thawing
- Fresh Lemons: You'll need both peel and juice
- Unsalted Butter: Softened completely
- Large Eggs: Softened to room temp
- Whole Milk: Makes everything soft
- All-Purpose Flour: Gives the cake body
- Pure Vanilla Extract: Adds richness
- Baking Powder: Make sure it's not old
- Kosher Salt: Boosts all the tastes
MAKING YOUR CAKE
- 1. Initial Setup:
- Get your oven hot at 350°F. Coat two 9-inch round pans with cooking spray and add parchment circles at the bottom. Make sure everything's not cold from the fridge. Mix your lemon zest into sugar with your fingers until you can really smell it.
- 2. Cake Base:
- Mix butter with your lemon sugar until it's super fluffy, about 3-4 minutes. Drop in eggs one by one, mixing well after each. Switch between adding your dry stuff and milk mix, starting and finishing with the flour parts.
- 3. Smart Layering:
- First put 1½ cups of plain cake mix in each pan - this stops your berries from dropping to the bottom. Mix 1 cup blueberries into what's left and split between pans. Throw the rest of your berries on top.
- 4. Baking Process:
- Bake them for 35-42 minutes until they're golden at the edges and a toothpick comes out clean. Let them sit in pans for 15 minutes, then move to a cooling rack until totally cool.
- 5. Frosting Creation:
- Whip your butter until it's super fluffy. Slowly mix in sifted powdered sugar, then add lemon juice and vanilla. Beat it all until it's light and fluffy, about 4-5 minutes.

It's all about getting the little things right. My baking teacher always told me, "You build an amazing cake from the ground up, one careful step at a time."
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Keeping It Fresh
You can make the parts a day ahead if needed. Just wrap your unfrosted cakes in plastic wrap on the counter and keep frosting in the fridge. When you're ready to put it all together, let the frosting warm up a bit and mix it again if needed. Your finished cake can stay good in the fridge for 5 days, but always let it warm up before serving so it tastes and feels its best.
Serving Ideas and Options
Always serve when it's warmed up to room temp since that's when the lemon flavor really pops and the cake feels super soft. In summer, add some fresh berries and mint on top. For fancy events, try adding flowers you can eat or candied lemon pieces. You can even set up a sweet table with this cake next to other fruit desserts.

Fun Twists
You can switch things up throughout berry season by trying different fruits like raspberries, blackberries, or a mix of all three. Maybe add a hint of almond flavoring to the batter, or try orange or lime zest instead. For fancy occasions, put some lemon curd or berry jam between the layers. While you can change things around, nothing really beats the classic mix of lemon and blueberry that just screams summer.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → Can frozen blueberries work?
- Yes! Keep them frozen and don't thaw to avoid leaks.
- → Why scatter blueberries in layers?
- This keeps the berries from all sinking at the bottom.
- → Can I prepare this cake early?
- Absolutely! Bake the cake the day before and frost it fresh.
- → Why use softened ingredients?
- They blend smoothly, giving the batter a better consistency.
- → Can I store this cake in the freezer?
- Yes, freeze unfrosted layers for up to a month. Just thaw before decorating.