Easy Lemon Yogurt Pound Cake
Moist and tender pound cake with a bright lemon flavor, enriched with creamy yogurt for a soft crumb. This american-inspired desserts ready in about 75 minutes layers all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, plain Greek yogurt into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 8, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil
- 3 large eggs
- 1 tbsp lemon zest
- 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp salt
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour a 9x5-inch loaf pan.
- Step 2: In a large bowl, whisk together 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 1/2 tsp baking powder, and 1/4 tsp salt.
- Step 3: In another bowl, beat 3 large eggs with 1 cup granulated sugar until pale and fluffy, about 3 minutes using a hand mixer.
- Step 4: Add 1/3 cup vegetable oil, 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt, 1 tbsp lemon zest, and 1 tsp vanilla extract to the eggs and sugar. Mix until combined.
- Step 5: Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just combined, being careful not to overmix.
- Step 6: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 50-60 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Step 7: Cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Easy Lemon Yogurt Pound Cake take to make?
Total time is about 75 minutes (15 min prep + 60 min cook). Most home bakers find this fits a weekend afternoon; chill or store as the recipe directs before serving.
How do I store leftover Easy Lemon Yogurt Pound Cake?
Cool fully before storing. Most baked desserts keep at room temperature in an airtight container for 2–3 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days. Cream- or custard-based desserts must go in the fridge within 2 hours; reheat gently or serve cold per the recipe.
Can I substitute ingredients in Easy Lemon Yogurt Pound Cake?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Easy Lemon Yogurt Pound Cake for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 8 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 8). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Easy Lemon Yogurt Pound Cake?
American desserts like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
