Monday, June 15, 2009

Lemon Yoghurt Cake

Whenever I serve this cake and later tell the guest that they were eating a healthy yoghurt cake with no butter, their eyes will open wide in disbelief. And their hand will reach for another slice to analyse it better.

I have tried making cakes with yogurt and most often their texture is usually denser. This recipe however makes an incredibly light cake. It is almost like a sponge cake. Very lemony and quick and easy to make. I can usually bake one in time for morning tea. As the taste is not boring, you can do away with icing the cake.

Lemon Yogurt Cake

Ingredients
2 large eggs
200g caster sugar

zest from 1 lemon, finely grated
2 Tbsp lemon juice
1 tsp vanilla extract

280g plain flour
3 tsp baking powder

250ml low fat greek yoghurt
120ml oil

icing sugar for dusting

Yoghurt Lemon Cake

Method
1. Whisk egg and sugar until pale, thick and creamy (3-4 minutes).

2. Add lemon zest, lemon juice and vanilla extract. Beat for a further 1 minute

3. In another bowl, sift together the flour and baking powder. Fold into the above mixture.

4. Mix in the yoghurt and then the oil.

5. Pour batter into a lined and greased 21-26cm cake tin. Bake at 180C in a preheated oven for 35-45 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

6. Leave cake in tin to cool for 10 minutes before transferring to a cake rack to cool.

7. Dust with icing sugar (optional).

Lemon yoghurt cake

Note
1) Plain unsweetened yogurt can be used in place of greek yogurt. I use my own homemade low fat greek yogurt and pure vanilla bean extract.

2) 21cm cake tin : bake for 45 minutes or until a skewer comes out clean. Cake height 6cm/2½".
26cm cake tin : bake for 35 minutes. The height of the cake is 5cm/2".

Tip
This cake freezes well. Cut it into serving slices, arrange on a tray close together but not touching and put into the freezer. Once it is frozen, transfer the slices into ziplock bags. To serve, thaw at room temperature or microwave for 30 seconds.

Cake slices ready for freezing
These slices are from a 26cm cake tin. I can get about 20 'weight watchers' portions. Height of cake 2". Ready for free flow freezing.

Recipe : Taste magazine November 2008 (adapted)
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64 comments:

  1. TriciaJune 16, 2009 2:09 pm

    Looks Yummy!!!

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  2. JennJune 17, 2009 5:24 pm

    Healthy & delicious! can we use grapeseed or olive oil?

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  3. SinnerJune 17, 2009 8:42 pm

    Tricia - Thanks. Do hope you try this cake.

    Jenn - A neutral oil like sunflower or canola is better. Olive oil is a bit strong tasting and might come through in the lemon cake. I don't know about grapeseed as I have never had grapeseed oil before.

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  4. JoJune 19, 2009 1:11 am

    This cake looks moist and delicious. And I do so like lemons in cakes.

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  5. ICook4FunJune 19, 2009 2:06 pm

    Thanks for sharing this beautiful healthy cake. I am so looking forward to try this out soon.

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  6. Lee ChuahJune 20, 2009 8:53 am

    I made this today but used regular yogurt instead of Greek yogurt. However I did strain out some of the liquid from my yogurt. The cake tasted good but I felt it was a little on the dense side. Did yours come out very light?
    I followed your method of mixing but I was wondering if the yogurt and oil should go in before the flour instead of after.

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  7. SinnerJune 20, 2009 9:57 am

    Hi Lee Chuah,

    The cake is very light almost like a sponge cake if it is done right.

    The 1st time I tried this cake, it too came out dense and didn't rise much. Because we liked the taste of it so much, I tried it again, this time with bigger eggs (70-80gm each) and beat it for exactly 3-4 minutes until it was really light and fluffy.

    When I fold in the flour, I don't fuss - just fold it briefly like how you would a muffin mix, leaving it slightly lumpy.

    I did in fact have the same thoughts as you did about the yogurt and oil going in before the flour or even going in together. But believe me, follow the steps and you won't regret it. When you fold in the yoghurt, the texture of the mix changes and you notice it becomes lighter. Traces of the yogurt is still visible when I fold in the oil. Once the oil is in, then I fold it in more thoroughly but light handedly.

    I know the steps does defy logic but it works. I am glad I didn't flick the recipe the first time when it came out dense but was determined to try again. I bake this at least twice a month and is a cake I bring to any gathering as it is so easy to make. Has never failed me since.

    I do hope you give it another go.

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  8. Lee ChuahJune 20, 2009 11:31 am

    Thanks so much! I will definitely try the recipe again, but with larger eggs. And I will stick to your method, promise!

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  9. AnonymousJune 21, 2009 3:49 pm

    Hi

    Tried baking cake and it turned out dense. Also, cake did not brown and rise. Did you beat eggs by hand or did u use electric mixers? I used electric beaters and suspect may have overbeat. Do u think that was my problem?
    Jas

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  10. mycookinghutJune 21, 2009 8:49 pm

    The cake looks so soft and moist!

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  11. SinnerJune 21, 2009 9:18 pm

    Jas,

    The cake do rise and it does brown. I bake mine in a small 22L Breville oven and mid way I even have to put a foil over the cake to prevent the top from further browning.

    The top 3 individual photos of the cake are from a 21cm cake tray while the bottom photo is baked in a 26cm round cake tray. You will note from those pics that all the cakes have browned beautifully and the texture light and soft. In the notes I have also noted how high the cake will rise to when baked in those cakes tins.

    I beat my egg and sugar (step 1 & 2) with a Kenwood Chef. The rest of the other ingredients are folded in with a spatula by hand.

    I do sympathise and understand your frustration.

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  12. JenniferJune 22, 2009 11:01 pm

    That looks amazing!!! and Im totally loving the healthy kick to it :)

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  13. Deeba PABJune 23, 2009 3:38 am

    I love the sound of this cake & have it bookmarked to make really soon. It sounds gorgeous...& looks so too!

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  14. Angry AsianJune 23, 2009 3:51 am

    i made this this past weekend as well and it's wonderful. i don't feel so bad about consuming more than a piece because i know it's relatively healthy. :) mine came out slightly dence but in reading some of your comments, i'll work on the mixing next time.

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  15. UnknownJune 23, 2009 5:13 am

    There is a very similar french cake which is the first thing French kiddies learn to bake (the ingredients are measured in the little yogurt pots.
    I've made loads of different versions of it and it works very well with olive oil. It's lovely with the lemon.

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  16. JenniferJune 25, 2009 5:14 pm

    Hi, it looks yummy! Can't wait to try the recipe :)

    Just one question, can i use self raising flour instead?

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  17. SinnerJune 25, 2009 9:25 pm

    Jennifer,

    I don't see why not but you might have to work out the self raising flour baking powder component and add some baking powder. This yogurt cake uses a fair bit of baking powder.

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  18. AngelaJune 29, 2009 6:04 pm

    I followed your recipe exactly step by step, but instead of 2 large eggs, I used 3 medium ones. But the cake came out dense. The top of the cake browned well, but the middle part is still soggy and the top cracked quite a bit. I used 180C for 35 mins.

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  19. lynJune 29, 2009 9:11 pm

    i have the same problem as angela: the top cracked quite a bit and the middle was still soggy so i popped it into the oven for a bit longer at a lower temperature. it also came out a bit dense, not light and soft like yours.

    i followed your recipe to the t, including how long to beat the eggs and sugar etc. i did however use self-raising flour as that was the only type of flour i had at home.

    i studied in nz before and used the edmonds cookbook quite a far bit for cake recipes. when i returned to malaysia, i used the very same recipes i had used numerous times from that cookbook with disastrous effect and i have no idea why. i wonder if it has anything to do with the flour that we get here or something. it remains a mystery til today...:)

    ReplyDelete
  20. SinnerJune 30, 2009 9:04 pm

    Lyn,

    That's very interesting info. I do admit I buy the more expensive brand of flour and baking powder. My reasoning being, if I am going to go through all that effort in homebaking I want the end result to be worth it.

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  21. SinnerJune 30, 2009 9:08 pm

    Angela,

    Baking times given are an estimate only as each oven differs. With any cake, I will test it with a skewer (step 5). If it comes out clean, then it is done else continue baking until the stick comes out clean.

    ReplyDelete
  22. AnonymousJuly 08, 2009 3:44 am

    I've wanted to try this cake, but only recently had the perfect opportunity. We were having a fun cake competition fundraiser (for the special olympics), to be judged by the Womens Institute (and boy do they know their cakes). This cake won me 2nd prize and everyone raved about it - so much so I have to make another for our coffee morning this week! The only thing I did different was a put a lemon glaze on top.


    To anyone thinking about making this cake - stop thinking and get it made - it is absolutely gorgeous.

    Thanks Paula (UK)

    ReplyDelete
  23. Lara IriarteJuly 08, 2009 9:46 am

    I made this yesterday afternoon, because I had some yogurt to use up. My husband loves citrus baked goods, so I thought it would be a winner.

    I used Pams standard flour, Edmonds baking powder, number 7 eggs and real vanilla essence. I beat the eggs and sugar until they were pale, almost white, and fluffy. When I folded the yogurt and oil in I cheated and did it together, and quickly folded it all in, with some lumps in it like muffin mix.

    The cake came out perfectly! It is very light, just like a sponge. It is pronounced "delicious" by my very discerning husband. I'm stoked it will freeze well too, as we try to not overeat stuff with processed sugar in it.

    Thank you for posting this beautiful recipe online for others to enjoy. It is now in my personal hand written book of great recipes :-)

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  24. SinnerJuly 08, 2009 8:25 pm

    Paula,

    CONGRATULATIONS ! Wow....2nd prize. Well done.

    And thank you so much for letting us know about your wonderful win.

    ReplyDelete
  25. SinnerJuly 08, 2009 8:29 pm

    Lara,

    It is so good to hear some positive comment for a change.

    I am so glad you and your husband love this lemon cake as much as we do. Really appreciate your feedback :)

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  26. JulieJuly 09, 2009 5:59 am

    Hi Sinner,

    I just tried this recipe yesterday. It turned out delicious but my cake didn't rise like yours. I wouldn't say it is dense but it just didn't seem to rise at all. Is it because I used wholewheat flour (2/3 all purpose flour & 1/3 wholewheat)?

    Much appreciation,
    Julie

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  27. FavbabeJuly 24, 2009 7:49 am

    Hi sinner,

    I've tried this recipe today and it's delicious. The cake is really light and best of all, no butter! It's very healthy indeed :) I really love the taste. I halved your recipe as I thought the amount of baking powder used will be too high for my loaf pan (size: w41/2" x L91/2" x H21/2"). However, I notice the cake did not rise much. Also, I used 1 1/2 medium sized eggs (53g-60g) and it works well for me. I stuck to the timing you provided for beating the eggs. I used medium speed (3-speed handheld mixer). I had crack ontop of the cake but I think it's ok. The cake browned nicely (i used 175C) and it was done in 30mins (took your advice on testing the cake with stick). I will definitely make this cake again :) Simple ingredients, delicious taste :)

    Thanks again for sharing

    Favbabe

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  28. LeeJuly 27, 2009 7:13 pm

    Hi Sinner,

    Thanks for sharing such beatiful pictures and wonderful recipes.

    I tried making the cake this morning cos' my son saw the picture of your delicious looking cake and wanted me to make it for him.

    I was hopeful and optimistic when I was baking it. But my cake did not rise, the top part was hard and cracky, the middle portion is not light and spongy like yours. In fact, when cooled, it is rubbery and look like hardened cheese :(

    Instead of plain flour, I used Cake Flour and 3 eggs of 60 gm each as I did not have 2 large eggs.

    I followed the rest of the recipes as instructed.
    I wonder if you have any comments/advice?

    I really wish to try again by this weekend and hopefully to give you some positive comments.

    Thank you so much.

    Lee Zendra

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  29. SinnerJuly 27, 2009 8:55 pm

    Hi Favbabe,

    So glad you liked this delicious yet healthy cake as well.

    Really appreciate your positive feedback.

    ReplyDelete
  30. SinnerJuly 29, 2009 9:17 am

    Hi Julie and Lee Zendra,

    It would be a bit hard to pinpoint the source of your problem with the cake as you have both substituted plain flour or part of, with something else.

    I wouldn't be able to say exactly why some of us have had great success with baking the cake and yet others not so. All I can say is 'don't give up'.

    This recipe does work !

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  31. Cooking GalleryJuly 31, 2009 10:27 am

    Great looking picture! Your cake looks yummy too! I linked your blog in mine, I hope you don't mind...! Cheers - Cookinggallery.

    ReplyDelete
  32. SinnerJuly 31, 2009 4:46 pm

    Hi Cooking-Gallery,

    You are most welcome to link to our blog. Your blog looks great. Welcome to the blogging world.

    Thanks for dropping by.

    ReplyDelete
  33. TriciaAugust 01, 2009 3:03 am

    Hi Sinner,

    Finally tried yr cake yesterday. I didn't have castor sugar, so I used brown sugar. I didn't have lemon, so I used lime.

    The cake came out darker ... from using brown sugar. Smell and taste was great!

    My only problem ... and I stress is MY problem I am sure was it wasn't cooked all the way through ... guess it was from all the "checking" I did bcos it smelled so good ... also my husband and son kept on asking me if the cake was ready ... (always nice to blame someone else!!!).

    Though I did use a stick to check if it was ready ... I used a toothpick, which in my case was too short ... it didn't reach the bottom!!! LOL!!!

    Will definately make this again bcos it's healthier ... like my husband said, "That means we can have 2 pieces instead of one!!!"

    Thanks for the delicious recipe!!

    p/s: Been missing you ... haven't since any new posting from you for such a long time. Hope everything is well and you're just enjoying summer (Is it summer in NZ?)

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  34. pigpigscornerAugust 01, 2009 8:01 am

    Love this recipe, so light and moist! I just posted an adapted version on my blog =) thanks for the recipe!

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  35. SinnerAugust 01, 2009 9:42 pm

    Tricia,

    So glad you tried the cake. It will bake faster if you have a wider cake pan.

    Same here.....if the husband comes in and smell something, he will peer into the oven and keep asking when it will be ready! lol

    Been MIA as I was on holiday in Msia. Bought myself a Canon 450D slr camera and been busy trying to learn which button to push !

    It is winter here at the moment. Cold and wet.

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  36. SinnerAugust 01, 2009 9:43 pm

    pigpigscorner,

    So glad you liked the cake. Thanks for the feedback.

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  37. DolceAugust 02, 2009 11:14 pm

    Thanks for sharing the recipe!
    I made a gluten free version of this cake for the first time today and at first I thought I must have over drained my yoghurt or something. The batter turn out quite thick & almost stiff and the top stayed rough as it bakes. So I went on to read the comments and see that for a lot of people, it comes out dense and didn't rise much and I was thinking I was in the same boat. But I left it in the oven for longer (coz it doesn't look cooked yet...) and it started to rise (although in the end I think it sank back down a bit) and things got even better when I take it out of the oven, I couldn't wait before trying it, and it was just wonderful, a crispy crust with unbelievably moist inside!! It was just awesome!

    I just wonder if there are anyway of making my crust smoother like yours. I think the crispy crust I got came from the lengthened baking time. There was also a big crack on the crust.

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  38. TriciaAugust 03, 2009 8:55 am

    Hi Sinner!

    I bet you had a nice holiday in Malaysia!

    I got more yogurt for my 2nd try ... can't wait!

    ReplyDelete
  39. SinnerAugust 03, 2009 9:12 pm

    Dolce,

    I use my homemade greek yoghurt but I don't drain it. The batter is actually quite light not thick or stiff.

    And when it is poured into the cake pan, my batter top is lumpy and pimply like too but it smoothens out during the baking process. I take the lumpiness as a good sign - that means the flour, yoghurt and oil was lightly mixed in.

    Once the top of cake have browned, I cover it loosely with foil. That should help with not getting a thick and crispy crust.

    Thanks for your feedback. I am glad your cake turned out alright.

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  40. SinnerAugust 03, 2009 9:19 pm

    Hi Tricia,

    Thanks. I had a wonderful time shopping - so much choice.

    Wow your first cake is all eaten up already. That is a good sign. Hope you didn't get bugged this time with "Is it ready yet?" haha

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  41. DelphineAugust 05, 2009 1:49 pm

    Hi Sinner,
    I tried this cake last weekend, but I failed terribly, I used normal plain yoghurt and follow strictly to your procedure, I used large egg but I did not weigh it, the eggs used should be 70-80gm (with shell or without please), & normal all purpose flour & the batter was thick & stiff infact the outcome was crack terribly on top, hard & I think I have to try again. I do not know where goes wrong.

    ReplyDelete
  42. SinnerAugust 05, 2009 9:21 pm

    Hi Delphine,

    This cake is very challenging isn't it ? lol The 70-80gm egg is weight with shell on. I don't know enough about yoghurt to comment on whether it would make a difference if using plain yoghurt.

    In your next attempt, just remember to treat the batter as you would a muffin mix. Do not overmix (from step 3 onwards). Lumpy is ok.

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  43. DelphineAugust 17, 2009 6:06 pm

    Hi Sinner,
    Thank you so much for your advice, I will keep in mind, as for our plain yoghurt is quite abit watery, (I used Nestle brand) & sorry for late reply very busy lately. Thanks again.

    ReplyDelete
  44. natasyaOctober 15, 2009 4:17 pm

    I baked this last night and brought it to my office for morning tea. Yes there was a crack the size of canyon crevice but it received good reviews.

    ReplyDelete
  45. SinnerOctober 15, 2009 8:41 pm

    Hi natasya,

    Glad your colleagues like the cake. Thanks for your feedback :)

    ReplyDelete
  46. starduszOctober 20, 2009 10:40 pm

    can you get it in a shop? does any shop sells yogurt cake?
    By Jia Wei

    ReplyDelete
  47. JessJanuary 08, 2010 8:03 pm

    Just a thought, but I think the mixed results people are having are far more likely to be due to variations in the yoghurts used rather than flour, eggs etc. There are huge variations in sugar, protein and fat levels in yoghurts, even in between different brands of the smae style of yoghurt (eg greek, low fat etc). I'm intending to bake this cake using low fat natural, which is low ins sugar and fat, and has a relatively high protein and water content, I am expecting to get a denser cake as a result, but will let you know!

    ReplyDelete
  48. AnjuMarch 04, 2010 1:41 am

    Hello,
    i was googling yogurt cake when i came upon your blog. This looks really good. And no butter! I think i should make it today.

    ReplyDelete
  49. paola_April 02, 2010 8:56 pm

    I absolutely adore this recipe. I've now made it twice with the cheapest low-fat natural yoghurt you can buy and cupboard ingredients (= whatever kind of flour and eggs I happened to have). I've only taken extra care to whip the eggs and sugar (following my mother's advice: whisk till the mixture turns white, and then some). The resulting cake tastes and looks lovely. Our skinny greyhound can't wait for me to have a slice since she'll always get a bite :-)

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  50. SinnerApril 02, 2010 9:23 pm

    Hi paola,

    Your skinny greyhound is one lucky dog. Glad your cake turned out great. Thanks for the feedback.

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  51. AllieApril 22, 2011 3:20 pm

    Mm, just tried this out for my flatmate's birthday cake - very gooooood.

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  52. SinnerApril 28, 2011 7:20 am

    Thanks for the feedback, Allie. So glad the cake came out great :)

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  53. phoebeJune 12, 2011 7:08 am

    when adding the oil was a bit scared as it looked as it it was not going to get mixed but would remain on top of the cake mixture but finally it settled into the cake.cake turned out great but found it a bit too oily.was wondering if the amount of oil could be reduced??

    ReplyDelete
  54. SinnerJune 12, 2011 4:09 pm

    phoebe, no harm trying. If it doesn't taste good, you can always fall back on the original recipe.
    Glad the cake turned out great.

    If you do try the oil reduction, would love to hear the result.

    ReplyDelete
  55. AnonymousJune 17, 2011 8:03 am

    I have eaten several horribly solid lemon yogurt cakes in the past so wanted those flavours in a light cake. This recipe promised and delivered a light, fluffy cake that was absolutely delicious, beautiful, and easy to make. I used regular sugar instead of castor sugar, and I beat the eggwhites separately before folding into the other wet ingredients to incorporate more air. I folded the wet and dry ingredients together gently. To bring out the lemon flavour I glazed the baked cake while warm, with leftover lemon juice/icing sugar. I doubled the recipe, baked one in a springform tin and one in a bundt tin at the same time, and both turned out well. I am going to freeze a quarter of a cake to see if it can be frozen as the recipe promises. This recipe is definitely a keeper! Thank you very, very much. No more dense lemon yogurt cakes for my family.

    ReplyDelete
  56. caketakerJanuary 06, 2012 3:12 pm

    Thank you very much for this recipe! It turned out wonderfully, just like your picture, despite me muddling up the steps and putting the yogurt and oil in first and folding in the flour last. I whisked 3 eggs (which totalled 160g) until they were almost at the 'ribbon stage' before adding the rest of the ingredients, to ensure that my cake wouldn't fall flat (though unlikely with all that baking powder in there!)

    Might try filling it with whipped cream and a bit of lemon curd next time!

    ReplyDelete
  57. SinnerJanuary 07, 2012 9:32 am

    caketaker,
    Whipped cream and lemon curd sounds delicious. So glad your lemon cake turned out great.
    Thanks for the feedback :)

    ReplyDelete
  58. AnonymousApril 14, 2012 11:44 am

    Thanks for the recipe. Baked this and hv few ques, hope you can help.
    - baked this with 3 tsp baking powder, which I measured out 15g, is it too much ? coz it gave me gastric after eating a slice.

    - i used 21cm and cake only raised to 4cm, is it failed ?

    - the cake texture is still a bit dense. I beat egg white separately and folded in at last stage.

    I glazed the cake with lemon syrup and the flavor is nice. Unfortunately only me and my mom like it.

    Thanks !
    Pamela

    ReplyDelete
  59. UnknownJuly 07, 2012 4:34 pm

    Just made the cake now and it has turned out perfect! Thanks for the recipe! Gorgeous, light and fluffy! I'd have to say beating the eggs and sugar for a while and folding in the rest of the mixture will definitely make it light and fluffy!

    Kimberley :)

    ReplyDelete
  60. SinnerJuly 07, 2012 5:55 pm

    So great to hear yours turned out great.
    Thanks for your feedback, Kimberley :)

    ReplyDelete
  61. Mama TsangJuly 05, 2013 2:05 am

    Dear Sinner
    I have baked your lemon yoghurt cake 3 times by now, the first time for tasting and the 2nd & third for helping someone fund raising. The taste is absolutely impaccable and the look, still room for improvement.
    I also made the roast duck, a bit dry but will definitely try a few more times. Making the salted eggs tonight, looking forward to tasting already.
    Thank you for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  62. SinnerJuly 06, 2013 6:59 am

    Van Tsang, thanks for the feedback. Roasting meat can sometimes be a hit and miss affair to get it just right. Hope the salted eggs came out good.

    ReplyDelete
  63. UnknownJanuary 26, 2016 2:37 am

    This is my new favorite recipe! It's so quick and easy to make. I have baked this 3 times already and next month someone ordered it as their birthday cake with a creamcheese frosting. I bet would taste even more delicious. Thank you for this recipe. -from Belgium here :)

    ReplyDelete
  64. LIESLFebruary 09, 2018 1:27 pm

    So I was craving coffee cake. And I have heaps of turning Greek yoghurt. Made this cake. Nuff said. Was Delish!

    ReplyDelete

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