Ritz Carlton Lemon Poundcake made with butter, eggs, milk, sugar & fresh lemon zest for a rich, moist cake with a perfect melt in your mouth crackle crust! Buttery pound cake made famous from the Ritz Carlton hotels!
If you’ve never stayed in a Ritz Carlton hotel, they have a Club lounge that is pretty much the best thing ever. Small, mini meals are served 6 times a day, plus a variety of desserts are available all the time. This lemon pound cake is a club favorite! The flavor of the cake is even better the next day, so be sure to save a slice or two.
Make a Standout Lemon Pound Cake
- Famous Ritz Carlton Flavor at Home: The iconic lemon pound cake from the Ritz Carlton Club Lounge—rich, buttery, and topped with that signature melt-in-your-mouth crackle crust.
- Bright Lemon with a Hint of Almond: Fresh lemon zest and juice shine, while vanilla and almond extracts add a subtle, bakery-style depth.
- Even Better the Next Day: The flavor deepens as it rests, making this moist, rich cake even more delicious on day two.
Ingredients for Lemon Poundcake
Flour – 3 cups of flour provide the structure and body that give this pound cake its classic texture.
Baking Powder – 1 TBSP of baking powder helps the cake rise beautifully in the bundt pan for a soft, even texture.
Salt – ½ tsp of salt enhances the sweetness and balances the bright lemon flavor.
Sugar – 3 cups of sugar sweeten the cake while also creating moisture and that signature crackly crust.
Butter & Shortening – 1 cup of softened unsalted butter and ½ cup of shortening add rich flavor, extra moisture, and create a soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture with a tender crumb.
Lemon Juice & Lemon Zest – 6 BTSP of lemon juice and the zest of 1 lemon work together to infuse the cake with fresh, vibrant citrus flavor and concentrated lemon oils for a bright, bold finish.
Vanilla & Almond Extracts – 2 tsp of vanilla extract and 1 tsp of almond extract add warm, sweet depth and a subtle bakery-style richness that beautifully round out the bright lemon flavor.
Eggs – 5 large eggs provide structure, stability, and richness while binding the batter together.
Milk – 1 cup of milk adds moisture and ensures a smooth, tender crumb throughout the cake.
Tips for making the Best Lemon Poundcake
- Fully Cream the Fats & Sugar
Take your time creaming the 1 cup butter, ½ cup shortening, and 3 cups sugar until very light and fluffy—this step is key to creating the cake’s signature tender crumb and delicate crackly crust. - Add Eggs One at a Time
With 5 large eggs, mix well between each addition to keep the batter smooth and stable; this prevents curdling and ensures an even, velvety texture. - Alternate Dry Ingredients & Milk
Adding the flour mixture and 1 cup milk in alternating additions prevents overmixing and keeps the crumb soft instead of dense or tough. - Don’t Rush the Pan Release
Let the cake cool in the pan for 15 minutes before removing—this allows the structure to set so your beautiful bundt releases cleanly without breaking.
Ritz Carlton Lemon Poundcake
Ingredients
- 3 cups flour
- 1 TBSP baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- 3 cups sugar
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened
- ½ cup shortening
- 6 TBSP lemon juice
- zest of 1 lemon
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp almond extract
- 5 large eggs
- 1 cup milk
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a 15-cup bundt or pound cake pan with non-stick spray & set aside.
- Add the flour, baking powder, and salt to a mixing bowl and set aside.
- In a separate bowl, use an electric mixer to cream together the sugar, butter, shortening, lemon juice, lemon zest and extracts, until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, mixing between additions.
- Alternate adding the dry ingredients and milk to the butter mixture and mix until smooth.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Bake for 55-60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Set aside to cool for 15 minutes.
- Gently remove the cake from the pan and set to cool on a wire rack. Enjoy topped with a bit of sweet cream and berries!
Notes
Nutrition
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Why use both butter and shortening?
Using butter and shortening gives you the best of both worlds—rich, buttery flavor from the butter and extra moisture and tenderness from the shortening.
Can I use bottled lemon juice instead of fresh?
Fresh lemon juice and zest are strongly recommended for the brightest flavor, but bottled lemon juice will work in a pinch—just don’t skip the zest, since that’s where most of the lemon flavor comes from.
Why did my pound cake crack on top?
A crack on top is completely normal (and desirable!) in pound cakes—it’s part of that classic texture and helps create the signature crust.
Can I make this in loaf pans instead of a bundt pan?
Yes! You can divide the batter evenly between two greased loaf pans—just start checking for doneness around 45–55 minutes.
Does this cake need to be refrigerated?
No, it can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 7 days, unless topped with fresh cream or berries, which should be refrigerated.
Love the fresh taste of lemon? So do we! Enjoy more recipes here:
- Bright, zesty, and totally irresistible—these Lemon Cake Bites are soft, creamy, and coated in white chocolate with a sprinkle of fun! Bite-sized bliss you won’t be able to stop at just one.
- Homemade Lemon Cream Pie combines fresh lemons, rich cream, and buttery custard, all topped with fluffy whipped cream! The easiest way to make the best lemon pie you’ll ever taste.
- Bursting with fresh raspberries and a bright, light lemon flavor, these Lemon Raspberry Muffins are topped with a sweet buttery streusel for the perfect crunch! Ideal for breakfast, brunch, or a delightful anytime snack.
- Sweet and tangy—this Copycat Chick-fil-A Frosted Lemonade blends creamy vanilla ice cream with fresh lemonade for a smooth, refreshing treat you can enjoy at home!
- This Copycat Lemon Tarragon Pasta Salad blends a zesty buttermilk dressing with tender chicken, grapes, celery, almonds, and bowtie pasta. Perfect for summer lunches and potlucks!
- Oh-so-refreshing—this Creamy Berry Lemon Jello combines zesty lemon Jello with fresh berries and a touch of cream! The perfect light, summertime dessert everyone will love.
Rich, buttery, and bursting with bright lemon flavor—this Ritz Carlton Lemon Pound Cake has a melt-in-your-mouth crackle crust and a tender, moist crumb! The iconic hotel dessert you can make right at home.
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