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Orange Lemon Cake

Snejana Andreeva - 1

By Snejana Andreeva

on Nov 01, 2021, Updated Jan 05, 2026

Add as a preferred source on Google - 2

Make all your citrus dreams ✨ come true with my easy-to-make Orange Lemon Cake! This beautiful dessert combines the tanginess of oranges 🍊 and lemons 🍋, resulting in a moist and tender texture that will leave you wanting more. If you’re looking for a homemade treat without the hassle, this cake is the perfect choice. Plus, your kitchen will be filled with the delicious smell of citrus.

  • Why You’ll Love Orange Lemon Cake
  • How to Prepare
  • Nonna’s Tip 🍋
  • Variations and Substitutions
  • More Citrus Recipes
  • Best Served With
  • Common Questions
  • Orange Lemon Cake Recipe

Why You’ll Love Orange Lemon Cake

You will absolutely love this Orange Lemon Cake because it is the perfect combination of tangy orange and zesty lemon, resulting in an incredibly refreshing cake. This cake delivers a moist texture that pairs wonderfully with a cup of morning coffee ☕️ or can be served at a friend’s brunch party.

Not only does this cake come out perfectly every 👏 time 👏, but it is so quick to bake and comes together in just 25-30 minutes. Not to mention, this is a very straightforward recipe for those of you who are not baking professionals!

How to Prepare

🔥 Preheat the oven to 350°F.

🥚 In a blender , combine oil, sugar, eggs, and vanilla, then blend for 20-30 seconds. Make sure you don’t over-blend the mixture.

🍋 Transfer the mixture to a bowl, add orange zest, lemon juice, and orange juice, and mix well.

🥣 Mix in half the flour, then add the other half along with the baking powder and mix again.

⭐ Pour the batter for the Orange Lemon Cake into a loaf pan lined with parchment paper .

♨️ Bake at 350°F for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

🧡 Enjoy your citrus cake!

Nonna’s Tip 🍋

To reduce the amount of oil, you can substitute 1/4 cup of oil with 1/4 cup of yogurt or sour cream for a delicious alternative.

Orange Lemon Cake - 3

Variations and Substitutions

  1. Instead of orange zest, try using lime or grapefruit zest for a different citrus flavor.
  2. Experiment with different fruit juices, such as lime or grapefruit juice, in addition to or instead of 🍋 lemon juice.
  3. You could try whole wheat flour or a gluten-free flour blend for a healthier or gluten-free option.
  4. Substitute white sugar with brown sugar, 🍯 honey , maple syrup , or monk-fruit sweetener , depending on your preference or what you have on hand.
  5. You can use 1/2 oil and 1/2 sour cream for a healthier and still delicious version of this recipe.
  6. Mix in chopped nuts (such as almonds or walnuts) or dried fruits (like cranberries or raisins).
  7. Drizzle the cooled cake with a citrus glaze made with powdered sugar and citrus juice.

More Citrus Recipes

Three slices of golden yellow Whole Orange Blender Cake are arranged on a white plate. The cake appears moist and fluffy, with a slightly browned edge and small air pockets throughout the slices. - 4 Three slices of golden yellow Whole Orange Blender Cake are arranged on a white plate. The cake appears moist and fluffy, with a slightly browned edge and small air pockets throughout the slices. - 5

Whole Orange Blender Cake

55 mins

A close-up of a moist orange cake on a white plate, topped with a round slice of orange. A fork is holding a piece of the cake, showing its soft and fluffy texture. - 6 A close-up of a moist orange cake on a white plate, topped with a round slice of orange. A fork is holding a piece of the cake, showing its soft and fluffy texture. - 7

Revani Cake

1 hr 40 mins

A hand pours syrup from a small white pitcher onto a tall stack of pancakes topped with blueberries and powdered sugar, with a lemon half and more blueberries on the plate. - 8 A hand pours syrup from a small white pitcher onto a tall stack of pancakes topped with blueberries and powdered sugar, with a lemon half and more blueberries on the plate. - 9

Healthy Lemon Ricotta Pancakes

13 mins

A plate of thumbprint cookies filled with orange jam and dusted with powdered sugar, these treats offer the same buttery delight as Shortbread Cookie Bars, beautifully arranged in sunlight on a white plate. - 10 A plate of thumbprint cookies filled with orange jam and dusted with powdered sugar, these treats offer the same buttery delight as Shortbread Cookie Bars, beautifully arranged in sunlight on a white plate. - 11

Lemon Cheesecake Thumbprint Cookies

25 mins

Best Served With

  • Coffee or tea 🫖
  • Other cakes (like my Apple Cake ) or cookies for brunch

Common Questions

I have not tried making this Orange Lemon Cake gluten-free, but you could try this with a gluten-free 1-to-1 all-purpose flour (for baking) instead.

You can add as much zest from each citrus fruit as you like.

If you add more lemon juice, it will affect the outcome of the cake, so for a stronger citrus flavor from whichever citrus fruit you’re using, feel free to use as much zest as you’d like.

Any oil will work for this cake. I recommend a mild-tasting oil such as grapeseed, light olive oil, avocado oil, etc. You can also use melted butter if you’d like.

To reduce the amount of oil, you can substitute 1/4 cup of oil with 1/4 cup of yogurt or sour cream for a delicious alternative.

Yes, you can certainly use butter instead of oil for this recipe.

Yes, you could add poppy seeds to this recipe!

Always check the expiry date on the baking powder and flour! If the cake comes out too dense, (not fluffy or moist) the baking powder or flour is likely old.

You can test if the baking powder has expired by adding ½ teaspoon baking powder to ¼ cup hot water. If the water bubbles up, it’s not expired. However, if it does not bubble, it’s expired and should be tossed. When using baking powder, always check the expiration date. Expired baking powder will not help your recipe rise in the oven, and you’ll have a sad, deflated cake.

While 1 cup of flour weighs 160g in my kitchen, it might weigh anywhere from 120 to 180g in your kitchen and there’s a few reasons for that. The weight of ingredients may vary due to the brand of ingredients, the brand and style (wet vs dry) of measuring cups and spoons, and the technique for measuring into cups: scooping and leveling versus spooning the ingredients into the cup measure. For best results, go by the weight listed in the recipe.

A New Recipe Card!!

  1. Check off each step in instructions!
  2. Add ingredients to your shopping list!

Video

Equipment

  • ▢ Measuring Cups + Spoons
  • ▢ Liquid Measuring Cup
  • ▢ Zester
  • ▢ Mixing Bowls
  • ▢ Parchment Paper
  • ▢ Loaf Pan

Ingredients

  • ▢ ½ cup avocado oil , any oil works
  • ▢ ½ cup sugar
  • ▢ 2 eggs
  • ▢ 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • ▢ 1 tablespoon orange zest
  • ▢ 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • ▢ 1 tablespoon lemon zest
  • ▢ ⅓ cup orange juice , juice of one large orange
  • ▢ 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • ▢ 1.5 teaspoons baking powder

Instructions

  • ▢ Preheat the oven to 350F. Add the oil, sugar, eggs, and vanilla to a blender and blend for 20-30 seconds (do not over blend). Pour the blended mixture into a bowl and mix in the orange zest, lemon juice, and orange juice.
  • ▢ Add 1/2 of the flour and mix. Now, add the other 1/2 of the flour + the baking powder. Mix until combined.
  • ▢ Pour the batter into a loaf pan that is lined with parchment paper.
  • ▢ Bake at 350F for 25-30 minutes (depending on the oven) or until a toothpick comes out clean. Enjoy!

My Notes

Nutrition

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Home › Recipes › Cookies & Snacks

Lemon Cheesecake Thumbprint Cookies

Snejana Andreeva - 12

By Snejana Andreeva

on Dec 15, 2022, Updated Nov 08, 2023

Add as a preferred source on Google - 13

My lemon cheesecake thumbprint cookies melt in your mouth . This recipe is one of those recipes that you’ll need to triple, because it’s THAT good. 🍋Whether you’re a lemon lover or simply looking for a unique and delicious cookie, these Lemon Cheesecake Thumbprint Cookies are a must-try. They’re perfect for any occasion, from a casual afternoon tea to a fancy dessert spread.

  • Why You’ll Love Lemon Cheesecake Thumbprint Cookies
  • How to Prepare
  • Nonna’s Tip 🍋
  • Lemon Cheesecake Thumbprint Cookies Variations and Substitutions
  • Other Holiday Recipes
  • More Holiday Cookies
  • Common Questions
  • Lemon Cheesecake Thumbprint Cookies Recipe

Why You’ll Love Lemon Cheesecake Thumbprint Cookies

These lemon cheesecake thumbprint cookies are ideal for anyone who cannot tolerate 🥚 eggs as they are completely egg-free . The dough takes 5 minutes to whip up, so these cookies are easy enough for anyone who is not even a baker. They’re only 5 ingredients , which you probably already have on hand. I can honestly say that this is one of those cookie recipes that you cannot get enough of.

How to Prepare

🥣 Use a stand mixer with the paddle attachment or a hand-held mixer and bowl to cream butter and cream cheese for about 2 minutes until smooth.

🍋 Add sugar and lemon extract and mix until smooth . Then add flour, and mix until a sticky dough forms. Scrape down the sides to fully incorporate any remaining flour.

🧊 Cover the cookie dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate for one hour.

🥄 Remove dough from the refrigerator, use a small ice-cream scooper to portion the cookies, rolling each in a touch of flour to prevent sticking.

🍓 Place rolled cookies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper . Flatten each with your thumb, creating an indent, and add a teaspoon of preferred jam/preserve to the center.

🔥 Preheat the oven to 350°F and bake the lemon cheesecake thumbprint cookies for 13-15 minutes or until the edges are light and golden brown .

❄️ Allow the cookies to cool completely and optionally dust with icing sugar. They can be stored at room temperature for up to a week.

Nonna’s Tip 🍋

You MUST refrigerate the cookie dough for at least one hour and you have to use a touch of flour to roll each one as they will stick.

Lemon Cheesecake Thumbprint Cookies - 14

Lemon Cheesecake Thumbprint Cookies Variations and Substitutions

  • Try adding a decorative topping like chopped nuts or a sprinkle of coarse sugar for holiday decoration.
  • I have not tried this recipe with gluten-free flour , but feel free to experiment with a gluten-free 1-1 replacement and let me know how it goes!
  • Instead of lemon extract , you could try almond, vanilla, orange or another you have on hand.
  • Feel free to experiment with different jams or preserves , for example, you could use strawberry, raspberry, apricot or even marmalade.
  • You could try dairy-free or vegan alternatives to the butter and cream cheese if you or your guests have allergies.

Other Holiday Recipes

A round platter forms an Antipasti Christmas Wreath, with skewers of mozzarella balls, cherry tomatoes, grapes, olives, prosciutto, and rosemary arranged in a circle; raspberries fill the center and two gold forks rest on the side. - 15 A round platter forms an Antipasti Christmas Wreath, with skewers of mozzarella balls, cherry tomatoes, grapes, olives, prosciutto, and rosemary arranged in a circle; raspberries fill the center and two gold forks rest on the side. - 16

Antipasti Christmas Wreath

10 mins

A close-up of a wooden serving board styled as a Holiday Butter Board, topped with whipped cheese, assorted fruit jams, chopped nuts, fresh herbs, and a decorative cheese knife. - 17 A close-up of a wooden serving board styled as a Holiday Butter Board, topped with whipped cheese, assorted fruit jams, chopped nuts, fresh herbs, and a decorative cheese knife. - 18

Holiday Butter Board

20 mins

Two tall champagne flutes filled with an orange-pink Holiday Candy Cane Prosecco, each rimmed with crushed red, green, and white candy, stand on a white countertop with scattered candy. Cozy kitchen background. - 19 Two tall champagne flutes filled with an orange-pink Holiday Candy Cane Prosecco, each rimmed with crushed red, green, and white candy, stand on a white countertop with scattered candy. Cozy kitchen background. - 20

Holiday Candy Cane Prosecco

5 mins

A Holiday Cheese Board featuring various cheeses, salami roses, fresh figs, grapes, cherry tomatoes, olives, crackers, grapefruit slices, rosemary sprigs, and bowls of jam is artfully arranged on a white surface with a linen cloth. - 21 A Holiday Cheese Board featuring various cheeses, salami roses, fresh figs, grapes, cherry tomatoes, olives, crackers, grapefruit slices, rosemary sprigs, and bowls of jam is artfully arranged on a white surface with a linen cloth. - 22

Holiday Cheese Board

20 mins

More Holiday Cookies

Looking for an even fancier-looking cookie? Try my puff pastry cookies .

A plate of Easy Gingerbread Cookies shaped like people, adorned with white icing details, red and green candy buttons, cinnamon sticks, and colorful candies, set on a white surface with a red ribbon and white cloth. - 23 A plate of Easy Gingerbread Cookies shaped like people, adorned with white icing details, red and green candy buttons, cinnamon sticks, and colorful candies, set on a white surface with a red ribbon and white cloth. - 24

Easy Gingerbread Cookies

3 hrs 23 mins

A stack of three powdered almond cookies on a wooden surface. The top cookie has a bite taken out, revealing a soft interior. Whole almonds are scattered around, with more cookies blurred in the background. - 25 A stack of three powdered almond cookies on a wooden surface. The top cookie has a bite taken out, revealing a soft interior. Whole almonds are scattered around, with more cookies blurred in the background. - 26

Italian Amaretti Cookies

25 mins

Close-up of 3 Ingredient Sugar Cookies cooling on a black wire rack. The cookies are round, golden, and have a slightly rough texture from sugar crystals. A pinkish surface is visible in the background. - 27 Close-up of 3 Ingredient Sugar Cookies cooling on a black wire rack. The cookies are round, golden, and have a slightly rough texture from sugar crystals. A pinkish surface is visible in the background. - 28

3 Ingredient Sugar Cookies

20 mins

A plate of Shortbread Butter Cookies topped with red, white, and green sprinkles, surrounded by small holiday gift boxes and pinecones on a white surface. - 29 A plate of Shortbread Butter Cookies topped with red, white, and green sprinkles, surrounded by small holiday gift boxes and pinecones on a white surface. - 30

Shortbread Butter Cookies

27 mins

Common Questions

Feel free to use any jam or preserve you enjoy. I love fig or apricot but you are more than welcome to use any you have on hand.

The lemon extract is optional so don’t worry if you don’t have any on hand. You can also use pure vanilla extract, or almond extract, or leave them plain. Or, if you don’t have pure lemon extract, but still want the flavor, you can also use the zest of a lemon in the recipe.

You MUST refrigerate the cookie dough for at least one hour and you have to use a touch of flour to roll each one as they will stick.

Feel free to freeze the cookie dough tightly wrapped for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge and shape as usual.

The cream cheese and butter must be softened in order for the cookies to bake correctly.

You can use salted or unsalted butter. I have made them with both and both results are delicious.

While 1 cup of flour weighs 160g in my kitchen, it might weigh anywhere from 120 to 180g in your kitchen and there’s a few reasons for that. The weight of ingredients may vary due to the brand of ingredients, the brand and style (wet vs dry) of measuring cups and spoons, and the technique for measuring into cups: scooping and leveling versus spooning the ingredients into the cup measure. For best results, go by the weight listed in the recipe.

A New Recipe Card!!

  1. Check off each step in instructions!
  2. Add ingredients to your shopping list!

Video

Equipment

  • ▢ Measuring Cups + Spoons
  • ▢ Mixing Bowls
  • ▢ Baking Sheet
  • ▢ Parchment Paper

Ingredients

  • ▢ ½ cup cream cheese , softened
  • ▢ ½ cup white sugar
  • ▢ 1 stick softened salted butter
  • ▢ 1.5 teaspoons lemon extract , optional if you don’t have any on hand
  • ▢ 1 ¼ cup all-purpose flour , + 2 extra tablespoons for rolling the balls
  • ▢ 18 teaspoons jam , I used fig preserve

Instructions

  • ▢ In a stand mixer using the paddle attachment, cream the butter and cream cheese together for about 2 minutes or until smooth. You can also use a hand-held mixer and a bowl as well.
  • ▢ Once creamy, add the sugar and lemon extract and mix until smooth. Add in the flour and mix until a sticky dough forms. If there’s any flour on the sides, you can scrape it down and mix again until fully incorporated.
  • ▢ Cover the cookie dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate for one hour. After an hour, take out the dough, remove the plastic and use a small ice-cream scooper to scoop out the cookies. I scoop each cookie, roll it in a touch of flour as it will stick to your hands if you don’t.
  • ▢ Repeat this step for all 18 cookies. Place each rolled cookie onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Press each one down with your thumb to make an indent. Add a teaspoon of any jam/preserve you like to the middle.
  • ▢ Preheat the oven to 350F and bake until the edges are light and golden brown. This should take 13-15 minutes depending on the oven.
  • ▢ Let them cool completely and optionally dust with icing sugar. These are perfectly stored at room-temp for up to a week.

My Notes

Nutrition

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Orange Lemon Cake

Equipment

  • Measuring Cups + Spoons
  • Liquid Measuring Cup
  • Zester
  • Mixing Bowls
  • Parchment Paper
  • Loaf Pan

Ingredients

  • ½ cup avocado oil any oil works
  • ½ cup sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1 tablespoon orange zest
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon lemon zest
  • ⅓ cup orange juice juice of one large orange
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1.5 teaspoons baking powder

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350F. Add the oil, sugar, eggs, and vanilla to a blender and blend for 20-30 seconds (do not over blend). Pour the blended mixture into a bowl and mix in the orange zest, lemon juice, and orange juice.
  • Add 1/2 of the flour and mix. Now, add the other 1/2 of the flour + the baking powder. Mix until combined.
  • Pour the batter into a loaf pan that is lined with parchment paper.
  • Bake at 350F for 25-30 minutes (depending on the oven) or until a toothpick comes out clean. Enjoy!

Video

Nutrition

Orange Lemon Cake https://themodernnonna.com/orange-lemon-cake/ November 1, 2021