This post may contain affiliate links.Please read our disclosure policy.

An easy lemon sheet cake recipe that is made in a 9×13-inch pan and has a delicious simple lemon glaze on top. This lemon cake tastes even better the next day!

An easy lemon sheet cake recipe that is made in a 9x13-inch pan and has a delicious simple lemon glaze on top. This lemon cake tastes even better on the next day!

This sheet cake is so easy to make and full of tangy lemon flavor! Perfect for every lemon dessert lover!

Made on a 13×9-inch baking sheet this cake is much easier to make than a layered cake. I love layered cakes like myย Gingerbread Cakeย that I shared before Christmas or myย Naked Strawberry Layer Cakeย but let’s be real these cakes take a lot of time to make and you need equipmentย that not everyone has in their kitchen.

So making a not-so-labor-intensive sheet cake instead is my way-to-go most of the time. This lemon sheet cake looks beautiful and tastes delicious yet you only need about 40 minutes to make it from scratch and that includes baking time!

An easy lemon sheet cake recipe that is made in a 9x13-inch pan and has a delicious simple lemon glaze on top. This lemon cake tastes even better on the next day!

Sheet cakes are my go-to cake to bring to a party or sent to work with my husband because they are easy to transport and quick to make. For me a sheet cake is a cake that is made on one single baking sheet, my favorite size is 9×13 but you can also use a 10.5ร—15.5 inch pan.

Most sheet cake recipes can easily be doubled, they might take a few minutes longer to be done so be sure to make a toothpickย test!

Some of my favorite sheet cakes beside this lemon cake are myย Apple Streusel Sheet Cake which is topped with streusel and makes a great alternative to apple pie and my Pumpkin Crunch Cake. All three are easy to make but the Apple Streusel Cake and this Lemon Sheet Cake are the perfect cakes to make in advance!

An easy lemon sheet cake recipe that is made in a 9x13-inch pan and has a delicious simple lemon glaze on top. This lemon cake tastes even better on the next day!

This lemon cake tastes even better after resting one day at room temperature. A perfect cake to make the night before a big party or birthday because the lemon glaze needs a day to infuse the cake and make it moister.

Like with every baking recipe, make sure to follow the instructions and ingredients that are called for! For this recipe, in particular, it’s important to use fresh lemon juice and zest to get the best flavor and give the cake one night to rest at room temperature (NOT in the fridge, this would dry out the cake!).

Want to save this recipe?
Just enter your email and get it sent to your inbox! Plus you'll get new recipes from us every week!
Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.
5 from 16 votes

Easy Lemon Sheet Cake

An easy lemon sheet cake recipe that is made in a 9x13-inch pan and has a delicious simple lemon glaze on top. This lemon cake tastes even better on the next day!
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 12 slices

Ingredients 

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 4 large eggs
  • 2 organic lemons, zest and juice
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract, or vanilla sugar
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1 1/2 cup powdered sugar
  • candied lemons, optional

Instructions 

  • Preheat the oven to 350ยบF (180ยฐC). Spray a 9x13 inch baking pan with non-stick spray or grease with butter and line with a sheet of parchment paper.
  • In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine room temperature butter and sugar. Beat at medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
  • Add eggs, one at a time and beat until just combined after adding each egg.
  • Add all the lemon zest, the juice of one lemon, and vanilla extract. Whisk until combined.
  • In a small bowl combine the flour, baking powder, and salt.
  • Add the dry ingredients to the bowl of the stand mixer, beat until combined.
  • Pour the cake batter into the pan and bake for 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  • Poke holes into the cake with a toothpick while it's still warm.
  • In a bowl combine the powdered sugar and as much of the remaining lemon juice until the powdered sugar is incorporated and the consistency is thick but still runny.
  • Use a silicone spatula to spread the glaze on the warm cake. Let the cake rest until the glaze is set. This cake tastes even better after resting for a day at room temperature.
  • If you want you can decorate the cake with candied lemon slices.

Nutrition

Calories: 362kcal | Carbohydrates: 50g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 95mg | Sodium: 73mg | Potassium: 140mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 32g | Vitamin A: 556IU | Vitamin C: 10mg | Calcium: 50mg | Iron: 1mg
Like this recipe? Rate and comment below!

About Julia Foerster

Hi, I'm Julia! Born in Germany, I call Canada now my home and love to share my favorite dishes with you! Here you'll find hundreds of recipes, all made from scratch, with lots of tips and detailed step-by-step instructions.

You May Also Like:

5 from 16 votes (5 ratings without comment)

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

29 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    This cake was AMAZING! Even when I only had bottled Real Lemon juice to use instead of an actual lemon. My son was thrilled.

  2. 5 stars
    This cake is easy and delicious. However, it’s the height of a bar cookie, only about an inch high. I think next time I make it I’ll double the recipe for the cake batter.

  3. 5 stars
    This cake is so easy and delicious! I made to take to a grieving family in a different state from where I live. it traveled well and was a big hit with the adults as well as with the kids. No messy, sticky frosting that gets all over the place….just cut a slice put on a plate or napkin and enjoy. I plan to make it for Easter dinner.!

  4. 5 stars
    I loved this recipe!, I made it yesterday because I had people coming over to my place. They were so amazed by the texture and the flavor.

  5. 5 stars
    I had a taste for a Pineapple Cake with Seven Minutes frosting, but as I scrolled through I saw this simple Recipe and thought I’d make it . That’s what’s in the oven now. Thanks for the Recipe.