Simple Sourdough Lemon Pound Cake From Scratch (half pound) (2024)

If you’re looking for a simple cake bursting with lemon flavor, this sourdough lemon pound cake is for you. No lack of flavor or overcomplicated steps, finally! This recipe is cherished in our home and I hope it will be in yours as well. Whether you need a dessert for the church potluck or want to brighten a friend’s day, this pound cake is just what you’re looking for.

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You know those times when you’ve got a gathering or potluck coming up and you’re not sure what to take. Well that’s where this sourdough lemon pound cake comes in. It’s got a flavor everyone will love and travels super well.

Sourdough Lemon Pound Cake Recipe Inspiration

As the spring season starts to show itself here in Tennessee, I’ve been craving bright, fresh flavors. As I was creating this month’s blog content calendar I began looking for different ways to use citrus and fruits. Around this time I was facetiming my mom and she mentioned how she made a sourdough lemon pound cake but it didn’t taste like lemon.

I knew I could develop a better recipe full of lemon flavor. So I began developing this recipe. It’s so delicious it caught my husband off guard. He’s not a huge lemon guy so naturally before he took a bite he wasn’t too sure. But with that first bite his eyes lit up and he asked for another slice. We ate the entire cake in 2 days and ever since he’s been asking for more!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• It actually tastes like lemon
• Simple and easy recipe to follow
• No complicated steps that are unnecessary
• Super moist crumb
• Perfect for any occasion
• Travels well to potlucks or gatherings

How My Recipe Is Different From Others

• This recipe is simplified making the steps easy to follow unlike other recipes
• I don’t use baking soda or baking powder making this a more traditional pound cake.
• The addition of sour cream adds the perfect texture.
• Each ingredient is wholesome, no fake additives or colorings.
• My recipe makes a half-pound cake. If you want the perfect sized cake, this is the recipe for you!
• Many people overcomplicate making a half pound cake but I’ve made it simple and easy.

Ingredients

Pound Cake

• 1/2 cup sourdough starter (fed or discard)
• 1 Tbsp Lemon zest
• 3 Tbsp Lemon juice
• 1/2 cup Butter (room temperature)
• 2 Tbsp sour cream
• 2 Eggs (room temperature)
• 1 cup Cane Sugar
• 1 tsp Vanilla
• 1 1/2 cup Flour

Glaze

• 1/2 cup Powdered sugar
• 2 Tbsp Lemon juice

Kitchen Tools You May Need (affiliate links)

• loaf pan
• mixing bowl
• unbleached parchment paper
• electric hand mixer
• measuring spoons and cups
• whisk

Step-By-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prepare & Preheat

Prepare a loaf pan with a light greasing of butter then dust with flour and tap the pan upside down to remove excess. Or place parchment paper inside instead.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Step 2: Make Batter

In a mixing bowl, cream together butter and cane sugar with an electric mixer on low speed until fluffy (1 minute)

Add eggs one at a time, mixing on low speed until evenly combined.

Add in sourdough starter, sour cream, lemon juice, and vanilla. Mix until smoothly combined on medium-low speed.

Then on medium speed, add flour. Mix just to combine, don’t over mix.

With a spatula or spoon, stir in lemon zest gently just until combined.

Step 3: Bake

Pour batter into prepared loaf pan and bake for 60-65 mins (toothpick comes out clean in center) (don’t open the door during baking).

Step 4: Cool & Glaze

Once baked, let cool in loaf pan for 10 mins on a wire rack (do not remove from pan before this).

While the cake is cooling, stir or whisk together powdered sugar and lemon juice glaze until combined in a small bowl.

Once cake is cooled, gently transfer out pan and onto a plate. Drizzle glaze over top and enjoy!

Make Ahead, Long Fermenting Option

If you’d like to make this cake batter ahead of time and bake it the next day, do a long ferment. Instead of baking the cake, cover the batter and place it in the fridge overnight up to 24 hours. This will allow the batter to long ferment, giving it more sourdough flavor. This step is optional.

How to Storing Pound Cake

After baking, store your pound cake glazed or unglazed at room temperature for up to 3 days. I like to store mine in a cake or pie storage container. You can also place it in an air-tight container. Just don’t refrigerate it. This will dry the cake out.

How to Freeze Lemon Pound Cake

When you’re ready to freeze pound cake make sure it’s completely cooled and unglazed. Wrap it in plastic wrap or parchment paper and place in a freezer safe bag or container. It’ll last 2 months in the freezer.

How to Thaw Frozen Pound Cake

When you’re ready to enjoy your frozen pound cake, let it thaw overnight in the refrigerator. Then bring it to room temperature on the counter before serving. Cover with glaze after it is thawed.

Recipe FAQ

Does lemon pound cake freeze well?

Yes it freezes really well for up to 2 months just make sure you leave the glaze off. It’s much better freshly glazed after thawing.

My cake has a weird texture, what happened?

You probably overmixed the batter. This causes any air bubbles in the batter to be lost, creating a weird texture in your baked cake.

Should I use sourdough discard or fed starter for this recipe?

You can use either for this recipe. However, I do recommend using a fed starter just to help give the pound cake a little lift.

What can I substitute the sour cream for?

You can substitute yogurt for sour cream in this pound cake recipe. Do the same measurement and use Greek yogurt or unsweetened, plain yogurt.

Can I leave the sour cream out?

You can leave the sour cream out but it will affect the texture of the cake. The sour cream helps the crumb stay moist and light. If desired you can substitute yogurt instead.

Why does this recipe not call for baking soda or baking powder?

A traditional pound cake does not call for baking soda or baking powder. This is what sets the pound cake apart from a regular cake. For my recipe, I wanted it to have a more traditional ingredient list so I left them out.

Try These Other Sourdough Dessert Recipes

• Sourdough Strawberry Scones From Scratch (with chocolate chips)
• Sourdough Cream Cheese Apple Danish Recipe From Scratch
• Easy Sourdough Brownies From Scratch

I love hearing how much you love my recipes, be sure to leave a review below! 😊