First things first. Are you on Snapchat? I am. For the longest time, dismissed it as an app that teenagers use to send scandalous photos to one another. Apparently that’s not all it’s good for, though! I’ve gotten hooked on other bloggers’ behind-the-scenes Snapchat “stories” lately.
I’ve been following Gaby (whatsgabycookin) and Lindsay and Bjork (pinchofyum) on their travel adventures, keeping up with Dana and John (minimalistbaker) and their general shenanigans and caught glimpses of Ali and her pup/our pal Henry (gimmesomeoven) during their weekend at the lake. I also saw what happened when Jessica (howsweeteats) used liquid dish soap in her dishwasher yesterday. Oh my.
You can find us on Snapchat over at cookieandkate! Consider it a Cookie cam. Now you can watch her fly up the ladder to steal my food while I’m trying to photograph it. I’ll show you what happens when I pull out a treat and tell her to “roll over,” too. (Spoiler: somersaults.) I’ve been throwing in some behind-the-scenes cooking experiments, too.
All this is to say, please follow us! Send me snaps of your Cookie and Kate cooking, too. I would love that.
Now then, let’s talk cake. This very lemony blueberry cake is the perfect sweet treat to bring to your Fourth of July celebrations. It’s basically a lightened-up pound cake. Instead of being made with the traditional one-to-one ratio of butter, all-purpose flour and sugar (one pound each!), it’s made with yogurt, olive oil, whole wheat flour and a reasonable amount of sugar.
The cake is really easy to mix up by hand. Rubbing the lemon zest into the sugar brings out tons of lemon flavor, and a simple lemon-honey glaze added while the cake it still warm adds an extra burst of lemon flavor that seeps all the way down to the blueberries at the bottom. Blueberries seemed like a festive choice, but you could definitely substitute raspberries or chopped strawberries. Or hey, try a mix of the three!
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Blueberry Lemon Yogurt Cake
- Author:
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 50 mins
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 loaf cake 1x
- Category: Dessert
This delicious, lemony yogurt cake is studded with blueberries. It’s made with healthy whole wheat flour, olive oil and yogurt and tastes amazing, I promise! This cake takes cues from traditional French yogurt cake and tastes like a lightened-up pound cake. Recipe yields one loaf.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups white whole wheat flour or regular whole wheat flour, plus more for dusting
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon fine grain sea salt
- 2 medium lemons, preferably organic, to be zested and juiced
- 1 cup sugar (I used organic cane sugar)
- ¾ cup plain whole-milk (full fat) yogurt or Greek yogurt
- 3 extra-large eggs
- ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries (if frozen, do not defrost!)
- 2 teaspoons honey
- Optional accompaniments: coconut whipped cream or regular whipped cream or vanilla ice cream
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Generously butter and flour a 8½ by 4¼ by 2½-inch loaf pan.
- In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Pour the sugar into a separate medium-sized mixing bowl. Grate all the zest from the lemons. Rub the zest into the sugar until the sugar is yellow and fragrant. Add the yogurt, eggs and vanilla to the sugar mixture. Whisk well, until the ingredients are combined.
- When the mixture is well blended, gently whisk in the dry ingredients, just until incorporated. Switch to a spatula and fold in the oil, making sure it’s all incorporated. The batter will be shiny. In a separate bowl, toss the blueberries with about one teaspoon flour (this will help prevent them from sinking while the cake bakes.) Gently fold the blueberries into the batter.
- Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top. Bake the cake for 50 to 55 minutes, or until the top is golden and the sides just start to pull away from the sides of the pan. A toothpick inserted into the center should come out clean.
- Let the cake cool in the pan for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, warm 2 tablespoons lemon juice and two teaspoons honey just long enough for you to whisk the honey into the juice. You can do this in your smallest saucepan over medium-low heat or in brief bursts in the microwave. Once the honey is mixed in, taste it—it should be pleasantly tart. If it’s too sour, mix in more honey. Using a pastry brush, brush the lemon-honey glaze on top of the warm cake. Repeat until you have no more liquid left.
- Run a knife between the cake and the sides of the pan to loosen. Unmold the cake by placing a large plate or cutting board upside down over the loaf pan and carefully turning it over. Turn the cake back onto a flat surface to cool completely. Then slice and serve!
Notes
Recipe adapted from my orange poppy seed pound cake.
Change it up: Feel free to skip the blueberries altogether (just reduce the baking time by 5 minutes). Or you can substitute raspberries, blackberries or sliced strawberries for the blueberries.
Vegetable enthusiast. Dog lover. I'm probably making a big mess in my Kansas City kitchen right now. 
Jill Fratanduono
Could one make this well with one lemon and some lemon juice from a plastic bottle? I only have one lemon haha. I can wait though!
Kate
You could try it! Just make sure to keep the ratio similar. :)
Joyce
dont have blueberries atm would it still be good?
Kate
Blueberries really add in the flavor of this cake. But you can change it up and feel free to skip the blueberries altogether (just reduce the baking time by 5 minutes). Or you can substitute raspberries, blackberries or sliced strawberries for the blueberries.
Kate
Looks incredible! Definitely trying this week!
Can you substitute flax “eggs” in this recipe? My BF is egg-free, so wondering if I can make it work for him, because he loves lemon anything! :D
Kate
Hi Kate! I haven’t tried, but I think this would be a good candidate for flax eggs (based on the fact that it calls for whole wheat flour—this would be a different story if using gluten-free flour). Please report back if you give it a try!
Erin
Can I use honey instead of sugar and coconut oil instead of olive oil?
Kate
Hi Erin! I’m sorry, I’ve tried honey in this cake and it doesn’t turn out as well as sugar. Coconut oil would be fine, though.
Rita
It is a very tasty cake. I didn’t change anything but I will try with Coconut oil next time.
Kate I appreciate your cooking.
Thanks
★★★★★
Silvia
Hello! Love this recipe and would love to try it..! Would you mind changing the ciò measure in grammes? Thanks!!!
★★★★★
Kate
Hi Silvia! Here is a great resource on metric conversions. I hope this helps!
Carol F.
I made this as written with fresh blueberries except I subbed fresh whole-milk ricotta for the whole-milk yogurt. Fabulous!
★★★★★
Sharlene
Hi Kate. I love your recipes but everytime I bake them they dome and crack on top even after lowering the baking temp. They don’t look as nice and caramelized as yours. Any tips?
By the way, I wasn’t reading the instructions too closely and ended up using the juice of the 2 lemons to make the glaze. I hope it still turns out okay :)
Kate
Sorry to hear that, Sharlene! Have you checked to make sure your baking soda/powder are active (not expired)? I always bake mine in the center of the middle rack. Other than that, I’m not sure what to suggest!
Shreya
If I want to make this recipe into a bundt cake size, do I need to change any of the amounts listed in the ingredients? Thank you!
Kate
Hi Shreya, you would need to double or maybe even triple the recipe depending on the size of your bundt pan. It would likely need longer in the oven, but I’m not entirely sure how long. Hope that helps a little! Oh and be sure to butter and flour the bundt pan very well.
Jaihanne
Can I use self raising flour?
Kate
Hi, Unfortunately self rising flour can vary how much leavener it has, so doesn’t always work. Baking is very precise.
Ning
Delicious! Like a softer pound cake. I reduced the sugar to 3/4 cup and used plain wholemeal flour. Going into my favourite baked goods archive!
Leena
Hi Kate,
I’ve had an opportunity to try out a couple of your recipes and it’s always a hit. Thank you! I have a bunch of apples I need to use up and was looking for an apple cake recipe. What modifications would you recommend?
Leena
★★★★★
Kate
Hi Leena, I don’t know about an apple cake, but maybe you could try my apple crisp?
Pooja
Hi Kate, thanks for the recipe. Can I use almond flour in place of the whole wheat flour to make it gluten free? Would you recommend any other modifications if I swap the flour?
Thank you!
Kate
Hi Pooja, Almond flour isn’t a great 1:1 substitute, sorry!
Julian
A nice touch of lemon; I liked the effect of incorporating the zest into the sugar. I also appreciated that it’s not too sweet! But overall I just didn’t care for this cake. The density of the olive oil took over. It left a slightly greasy feeling in my mouth and I felt it competed with the berries for flavor. I couldn’t add the lemon glaze to counteract the oil’s dulling quality because the cake itself was just on the edge of being too heavy already.
★★★
Chris
I agree, the cake tastes too much of olive oil. Not pleasant at first bite. The aftertaste is good though. But would not make this again or recommend it.
★★★
Kate
I’m sorry you didn’t love it, Chris. I appreciate your feedback.
aurora
Just made this last week, and it turned out good. I used brown sugar instead of cane sugar. Felt so virtuous having a healthy cake! Thanks for the recipe, Kate!
★★★★★
Christine
Hi, am trying the cake with my daughter. When donI put in the lemon juice? I can`t seem to find it anywhere
★★★★★
Kate
Hi Christine! See step 6. I hope this helps.
V
Hi
I’ve made this in a loaf pan and it was simply divine ! I was in love :))
Can i make this in a square/round 8 inch or a round 9 inch springform pan ? Any changes to the recipe ?
★★★★★
Kate
Hi V! I think the 9-inch springform pan should be large enough. Keep the temperature/ingredients/method the same. The cake may finish baking sooner—I’d just keep an eye on it.
Caroline
Made these into muffins and it turned out so well! Made 14 muffins – baked for 35 minutes and perfection. Also used 1/2 cup honey instead of 1 cup of sugar and very delicious!
★★★★★
V
Hi
Could I bake this in a 8inch angel cake pan ? Any changes to the recipe ?Also, should i use flax egg or bob’s red mill egg replacer ? Or any other form of egg replacer for this recipe ?
Kate
Hi Vi, I’m hesitant your pan might be too small and too much thickness for the batter without knowing how to adjust the timing. You maybe able to try it, but I can’t say for certain the timing. I haven’t tried, but I think this would be a good candidate for flax eggs (based on the fact that it calls for whole wheat flour—this would be a different story if using gluten-free flour). Please report back if you give it a try!
Cordelia
Hi could i substitute the sugar with honey instead?
Kate
Hi Cordelia! I don’t recommend changing from a liquid sweetener to a dry sugar as it isn’t typically a 1:1 ratio.
Kiki
Hi Kate!
We just Absolutely love your recipes and posts. Thank you! So great for a Mom with two boys who have so many allergies!
Usually you suggest a yougurt/buttermilk dairy free replacement, can you suggest something for this recipe? Let me know! Many thanks :)
Kate
Thank you for sharing, Kiki! I’m glad you and your family are loving the recipes.
Anna
Thank you for all your recipes! Do you think this should be stored in the fridge or be left out?
★★★★★
Kate
Hi Anna! I would store in the refrigerator.
Rebecca Thomas
Hi there. I’ve made this (yummo) cake twice and followed your recipe exactly, however when I look at it at the time mark it is raw in the middle. I almost have to double the time to get it cooked and then the outer is crunchy (although it is nice). I am wondering if there is a misprint on the temperature?
Kate
Hi Rebecca! I’m sorry to hear that. I’ve double-checked and the timing/temperature are consistent with my other quick breads/cakes of this nature. Your oven may be misbehaving—it might be worth buying an oven thermometer to check that it achieves the correct temperature. They are inexpensive on Amazon. Hope that helps!
Erin Collins
Very good, will definitely make again! Flavor and texture are perfect. I used frozen blueberries, and when it was cool and the lemon honey soaked in,added a lemon glaze. It took about 10 extra minutes to cook through.
★★★★★
Suzanne D
Delicious light pound cake! I used lemon and lime, and only about 1 TBSP of zest in total, and chopped up the inside flesh of half the lemon to add to the sugar mixture. And I used only about 1/4 cup of sugar; 4 large eggs instead of 3 extra large, and it was amazing!
★★★★★
Maureen
Loved this blueberry cake. Always wanted to try a cake with olive oil . I used the Everyday Blend California Olive Ranch as suggested. The only substitute I used was organic sour cream full fat as I did not have yogurt. Delicious!
★★★★★
Chloe
Just had my first slice – delicious! I made it with slightly less sugar and oil. Can this be frozen?
Kate
Hi! I’m glad it worked for you. I haven’t tried freezing it, but I don’t see why not. Let me know what you think!
Ashley Aluko
Delicious!! I ran out of sugar so I used 1/2 cup brown sugar and 1/2 cup maple syrup (and then less of the lemon glaze at the end because I was worried about the sweetness) – it was perfect! Was initially concerned about the olive oil – the batter had an overwhelmingly olive-y smell – but the olive oil flavor ended up being very nice and subtle at the end. LOVE the glaze – it added moisture and a delicious and refreshing zing of lemon. One of my favorite recipes from this blog so far!
★★★★★
Kate
I’m happy it still turned out, Ashley!
Laura
This was delicious! I used frozen blueberries and half olive oil, half coconut oil (because I ran out of olive oil) and it turned out great. I loved the honey lemon glaze. I had to bake it for about 20 minutes longer than the recipe called for. Will definitely make again!
★★★★★
Kate
That’s great to hear, Laura! Thank you for your review.
Bonnie
This cake was delicious! I reduced the sugar a little and added a little bit of lemon extract. I also used 1 cup white whole wheat pastry flour and 1/2 cup all-purpose instead of the whole wheat flour. The end result was a moist, light cake that you would not be able to tell, even visually, contained so much whole wheat. I think the lemon extract really helped balance the olive oil flavor that others commented on. Thank you, Kate!
★★★★★
Sharon
The cake had a perfect level of moisture and nice texture, but the olive oil was too overwhelming, so I would replace with a more mild-tasting oil.
★★★
Kate
Hi Sharon, I’m sorry to hear you didn’t love this one. I do know brands can vary!
Cindy
Hi Kate, I love your recipes! Can I use cake flour in this lemon blueberry cake? Thank you!
★★★★★
Kate
Hi Cindy, I recommend this as is. Sorry!
Catherine
love it! Followed the recipe except no salt (never add salt when I’m baking) and the only yogurt I had was regular. Definitely making again! Oh, put just a little cool whip on top when serving
★★★★★
Kate
Great to hear, Catherine! I appreciate your review.
Debbie
My daughter made this cake for me for my birthday last April…I wanted it again but I don’t have a working oven so I made muffins in my toaster oven. I added juice from 1-1/2 lemons to the batter and sprinkled them with turbinado sugar before baking (skipped the icing). Worked very well! Yum!
★★★★★
Beverley McCauley
Hi could you use Maple Syrup in the wet ingredients instead of white sugar
Kate
Hi, I recommend the recipe as written here. Sorry!
Nicole
This was sooo delicious and moist, loved it!
★★★★★
Kate
Thank you for your review, Nicole!