Lemon-Sour Cream Pound Cake with Zest
A moist pound cake enriched with tangy sour cream and bright lemon zest, delivering a delicate balance of sweet and sour in every bite. This American-inspired recipe, ready in about 90 minutes, layers all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt 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 320 calories and feeds 10, 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
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 cup (2 sticks), softened unsalted butter
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 2 tbsp lemon zest
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
The bakeware we’d bake this in → Best Bakeware Sets in 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide
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Equipment for this recipe
Tools this recipe's steps call for, with a link to each on Amazon.
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9x5-inch loaf pan.
- Step 2: In a medium bowl, whisk together 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 tsp baking powder, and 1/4 tsp salt.
- Step 3: In a large mixing bowl, beat 1 cup softened unsalted butter with 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
- Step 4: Add 4 large eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in 1 tsp vanilla extract and 2 tbsp lemon juice.
- Step 5: Alternately add the dry flour mixture and 1/2 cup sour cream in three additions, beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Stir in 2 tbsp lemon zest until just combined.
- Step 6: Pour batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top. Bake for 60-70 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean and the edges are golden.
- Step 7: Cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then remove and let cool completely on a wire rack before slicing.









