8 Classic (and Creative!) Lemon Cake Frostings

What Frosting Goes With Lemon Cake?

Are you planning to bake a lemon cake for your next special occasion?

If so, you might be wondering what kind of frosting would go best with it. The right frosting can elevate the flavor of your cake and make it even more delicious.

There are many different types of frosting that pair well with lemon cake.

Some popular options include buttercream and cream cheese frosting. Each type of frosting has its own unique flavor and texture that can complement the tartness of the lemon cake.

Ready? Let’s dive in and frost that cake!

Types of Frosting

Buttercream Frosting

When it comes to lemon cake, buttercream is a classic frosting that’s always a crowd-pleaser.

It’s made with butter, powdered sugar, and milk, and can be given a tangy twist with a dash of vanilla extract or lemon zest. This smooth and creamy buttercream frosting is versatile and can be piped or spread onto your cake for a beautiful finish.

For those who want to take a crack at making their own buttercream frosting, look no further than I Heart Nap Time’s recipe. The list of ingredients includes butter, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and heavy cream – all the essentials for a delectable frosting.

The recipe goes on to provide step-by-step instructions for creating the frosting, including creaming the butter and gradually adding in the powdered sugar. Once that’s done, it’s time to add the vanilla extract and heavy cream.

Fear not, if you’re unsure about the texture of the frosting – the recipe comes equipped with valuable advice on how to tweak it to your liking, whether that be by incorporating extra cream for a more delicate texture, or increasing the powdered sugar for a firmer frosting.

Once your buttercream frosting is complete, it’s important to know how to store it properly and how to use it to decorate your cakes and cupcakes.

With this recipe and some creativity, you’ll have the perfect finishing touch for your lemon cake!

Cream Cheese Frosting

Looking for the perfect pairing to your zesty lemon cake?

Look no further than the tangy and creamy goodness of cream cheese frosting! Made with cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract, this frosting is the perfect complement to the bright flavors of your cake.

But not all cream cheese frostings are created equal. If you’re looking for the best of the best, check out Life Love and Sugar’s recipe. This frosting is the ultimate balance of sweetness and tanginess, making it ideal for cupcakes and cakes alike.

With just five simple ingredients and 10 minutes of your time, you can create a perfectly pipe-able frosting that holds its shape beautifully.

To achieve the perfect consistency, be sure to use room temperature cream cheese and butter, along with enough powdered sugar. Full fat brick-style cream cheese is the way to go for maximum flavor and texture.

And if you want to get creative, try adding some cornstarch to thicken the frosting or gel icing colors to make it pop.

Once your frosting is complete, it’s important to know how to store it properly. You can keep it in the fridge for up to 3-4 days, or freeze it for up to a month.

With this recipe, you’ll have the perfect cream cheese frosting to elevate your lemon cake to the next level!

Lemon Buttercream Frosting

If you’re a true lemon lover, then you know that lemon buttercream frosting is the perfect way to take your cake baking up a notch.

Made with a luscious combination of butter, powdered sugar, milk, and lemon zest, this frosting strikes the perfect balance between tangy and sweet, elevating your lemon cake to new heights.

For the ultimate lemon buttercream frosting recipe, look no further than The Chunky Chef.

This classic recipe is made with softened butter, sifted powdered sugar, heavy cream, lemon zest, and lemon juice, all combined to create a rich and creamy frosting that can be spread or piped onto any dessert you desire.

And if you’re feeling adventurous, there are plenty of variations to try – from using milk instead of cream to adding lemon oil or extract for an extra burst of citrus flavor.

To ensure success, be sure to use softened butter and sifted powdered sugar, and consider adjusting the amount of sugar for a stiffer frosting.

And don’t forget to store your frosting properly – you can keep it in the fridge for up to a week, or in the freezer for up to three months, so you’ll always have the perfect finishing touch for your lemon treats on hand.

Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting

When it comes to lemon cake, there’s no better companion than a tangy and creamy lemon cream cheese frosting.

Made with a tantalizing blend of cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, lemon juice, and lemon zest, this frosting is the perfect match for the bright lemon flavor of the cake.

For a simple yet delicious recipe, check out Dessert for Two’s Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting.

The key to success is making sure that the butter and cream cheese are at the right temperature before mixing – this will ensure a smooth and fluffy texture. The recipe calls for just a few simple ingredients, including cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and lemon juice.

After combining them in a bowl, simply use an electric hand mixer to beat the ingredients together until they’re creamy and dreamy.

But the fun doesn’t stop there – this versatile frosting can also be used on carrot cake, and granulated sugar can be substituted for powdered sugar with the addition of some heavy cream to help it dissolve.

Just be sure to store the frosting in the fridge after a few hours of sitting out.

So why settle for a mediocre frosting when you can have the tangy and creamy perfection of lemon cream cheese frosting? 

Mascarpone Frosting

Move over, boring buttercream – there’s a new creamy and tangy frosting in town! Introducing mascarpone frosting, made with the delightful combination of mascarpone cheese, powdered sugar, and heavy cream.

If you’re looking for a light and airy topping that’s perfect for all your favorite cakes and cupcakes, check out The Gracious Wife’s recipe for Whipped Mascarpone Frosting.

This four-ingredient wonder includes heavy cream, powdered sugar, vanilla, and of course, the star of the show – mascarpone cheese. And let’s be honest, who doesn’t love a type of Italian cream cheese that’s sweet and nutty in flavor?

But don’t stop at lemon cake – this versatile frosting can be used for delicate cakes, as a substitute for whipped cream, or even on cupcakes, ice cream, and other desserts. Just be sure to use it right away, as it’s best when fresh, and store any leftovers in the refrigerator.

So don’t settle for the same old frosting options – give mascarpone frosting a try and add some Italian flair to your dessert game.

Raspberry Buttercream Frosting

Move over, run-of-the-mill frosting options – there’s a new berrylicious option in town!

Behold the sweet and tangy goodness of raspberry buttercream frosting, made with butter, powdered sugar, milk, and raspberry puree.

If you’re looking for a recipe that will make your dessert stand out without using artificial food coloring, Preppy Kitchen has got you covered with their Raspberry Buttercream recipe.

This one-of-a-kind frosting is made by muddling and boiling fresh raspberries, lemon juice, and sugar in a pot, straining the mixture, and chilling it. Once that’s done, it’s time to get your buttercream on – simply cream room temperature butter, sift in powdered sugar, and add the cooled raspberry reduction a tablespoon at a time until you achieve the perfect taste and color.

And if you’re in a hurry, don’t worry – this recipe includes pro tips for those short on time, as well as answers to frequently asked questions about thinning out the frosting and how long it can be left out.

So why settle for a boring frosting option when you can give your dessert the berrylicious boost it deserves with raspberry buttercream?

Whether you’re making lemon cake, cupcakes, or macarons, this frosting is sure to impress.

Strawberry Buttercream Frosting

Calling all dessert lovers! If you’re on the hunt for a sweet and fruity twist on your classic lemon cake, look no further than the delectable world of strawberry buttercream frosting.

Made with butter, powdered sugar, milk, and fresh strawberry puree, this frosting is a match made in heaven for any lemon cake.

But what’s the secret to achieving the perfect texture and flavor for your strawberry buttercream frosting? Luckily, professional chef, cookbook author, and creator of Bigger Bolder Baking, Gemma Stafford, has shared her foolproof recipe for this delightful frosting.

Using real strawberries and a touch of lemon juice, Gemma’s recipe packs a punch of sweet and light flavor that’ll have your taste buds dancing.

And it’s not just about the recipe – Gemma also offers helpful tips for incorporating air into the buttercream and sifting the powdered sugar to avoid those pesky lumps.

Plus, she even provides advice on how to freeze the buttercream and how to thicken it up if it’s too thin. 

Vanilla Buttercream Frosting

When it comes to frosting options for lemon cake, vanilla buttercream is a timeless classic that never fails to impress. Made with butter, powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract, this sweet and creamy frosting is the perfect complement to the bright and tangy flavor of the lemon cake.

Looking for the ultimate recipe for the best vanilla buttercream frosting? Look no further than Ashlyn Edwards, the baking mastermind behind Belle of the Kitchen.

Her go-to recipe for vanilla buttercream is rich, creamy, and oh-so-easy to make. Not to mention, it pipes like a dream and is the perfect finishing touch for cakes and cupcakes alike.

But don’t just take our word for it – Ashlyn recently put her vanilla buttercream frosting to the test when her daughter requested a pink ballerina cake for her fifth birthday. And let’s just say, it did not disappoint. Best of all, Ashlyn’s recipe skips the shortening and instead relies on pure butter for a truly decadent flavor.

So whether you’re looking to add a classic touch to your lemon cake or just craving some good old-fashioned vanilla buttercream, Ashlyn’s recipe is a surefire winner.

Whipped Cream Frosting

When it comes to lemon cake, sometimes less is more.

That’s where the light and airy whipped cream frosting comes in. This frosting is like a breath of fresh air on a hot summer day. It’s not too sweet, and it won’t weigh down the bright and tangy lemon cake.

Barefeet in the Kitchen has the recipe for the perfect whipped cream frosting that pairs perfectly with rich cakes. The ingredients are simple: heavy whipping cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract.

And the instructions are easy to follow. Just whip up the cream and sugar, add in the vanilla, and you’ve got a frosting that’s perfect for one or two-layer cakes.

Just be sure to store it in the fridge to keep it fresh.

Dessert Recipe Site Ingredients
Buttercream Frosting I Heart Nap Time butter, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, heavy cream
Cream Cheese Frosting Life Love and Sugar cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, vanilla extract
Lemon Buttercream Frosting The Chunky Chef butter, powdered sugar, milk, lemon zest, lemon juice, heavy cream
Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting Dessert for Two cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, lemon juice, lemon zest
Mascarpone Frosting The Gracious Wife mascarpone cheese, powdered sugar, heavy cream, vanilla extract
Raspberry Buttercream Frosting Preppy Kitchen butter, powdered sugar, milk, raspberry puree
Strawberry Buttercream Frosting Bigger Bolder Baking butter, powdered sugar, milk, strawberry puree, lemon juice
Vanilla Buttercream Frosting Belle of the Kitchen butter, powdered sugar, milk, vanilla extract
Whipped Cream Frosting Barefeet in the Kitchen heavy whipping cream, powdered sugar, vanilla extract
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