I was never big on lemon-flavored desserts.
(Hmmm, might it have something to do with the fact that lemon doesn’t exactly pair well with chocolate?)
But, after reading the Single Lady Cupcake post, a few commenters asked about a lemon version of the single-serving cake. Enter Meg L. to save the day! On Sunday, she left me a comment about a lemon-olive-oil cake that, I had to admit, sounded good even to this lemon-shunning chica. I wanted to try it!
The results were fantastic: lemony, cakey, and so moist. One of the best aspects of the blogging community is that someone (in this case, me) might come up with a basic idea, but then others expand upon the idea, taking it to much yummier levels than the first person could have dreamed up. So thank you, Meg, for taking the time to share your recipe variation.
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Single Lady Lemon Cake
(Or muffin, loaf, cupcake, whatever)
Based off of Meg‘s idea
- 3 tbsp flour (30g) (spelt, ww pastry, Bob’s gluten-free, or all-purpose flour)
- heaping 1/16th tsp salt
- 1 tbsp olive oil or sub 1/2 with applesauce (or use all applesauce for an added-fat-free version, but it won’t be as buttery!)
- 1 tbsp plus 1 tsp liquid (milk of choice or water)
- 1/4 tsp lemon extract or lemon juice
- pinch lemon zest
- 1/4 tsp baking powder
- Sweetener (I hate giving specific amounts, since tastebuds are so different. For normal tastebuds, 1 to 1 and 1/2 tbsp of sugar, or 1 to 1 1/2 packets of stevia should be about right. If you use liquid sweetener, cut back a tiny bit on the other liquid.)
Directions: Preheat the oven to 330 degrees. Mix the ingredients and pour into an oiled (or sprayed) muffin pan. Smooth top of batter. Cook for 12-15ish minutes. Alternatively, you can cook in the microwave, in a greased mug or ramekin. (Microwave times will vary, depending on the flour you use and the strength of your microwave.)
This cupcake (muffin, loaf, cake, whatever) would be lovely with some lemon glaze.
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Easiest-Ever Lemon Glaze
- 1 part lemon juice
- 1 part sugar or coconut sugar
- optional: a few drops lemon extract
Microwave for 30 seconds, or warm in a saucepan on low heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves.
Ooooh this is a great idea! I love love love lemon! Hopefully my food pics start looking as awesome as yours!
Eventually 😀
Oh my GOSH, thank you! ‘Cause, honestly, I am trying! LOL I always think everyone else’s photos look better (more professional) than mine… but ya know what? I have fun when I take them, so that’s all that matters, right? 😉
I used to love those lemon bars, but they are WAAAAAY too sweet!
These would be great with poppyseeds and a nice glaze on top!
I never understood lemon desserts. Chocolate all the way! I will admit, though, Lemon Zest Luna bars are really good.
hmm..I am definitely a chocolate girl too! i may try this lemon version, though I don’t know that I’d save it for a “dessert.” Maybe an afternoon snack or even breakfast item, that way I can still satisfy my sweet tooth with something chocolatey later on! 🙂
I love lemon desserts — well, any fruit flavor is good in desserts.
I love the idea of a lemon cupcake 🙂
I’d rather have chocolate too! But the RIGHT lemon recipe can be great. Like a perfect piece of lemon meringue pie is great. I actually would take key lime pie over lemon but small difference..but yeah, chocolate rules my world too 🙂
This recipe looks stellar!
And I think any 20something that zests anything gets major props, even if it’s with a knife not a zester 🙂
Agreed Averie – I definitely give Katie props for the knife-zesting – way to improvise! 🙂
Hey Katie! I love your blog, you’ve really inspired me! you’ve made me realize that it’s not all that hard to give up foods we eat every day.. I’m lactose intolerant so I don’t eat much dairy, and I’ve recently switched to being a vegetarian!
I go to culinary school for baking and pastry, and today I was making a banana ice cream, and I used a trick I learned on your blog- melting a banana in the microwave! Everyone in my class, and even my Chef was amazed that one could do that!
Thanks for all the great ideas!
Aww wow, Liz, I’m honored!! And YOU are an inspiration to ME, too, because I admire people who go to culinary school so much. They actually take time to learn the real art of preparing meals, as opposed to me who just makes it up. If you ever open your own restaurant, let me know: I’m going to want to visit! 😉
I love lemon desserts; they are spectacular. My BFF and I used to eat limes with a little bit of salt when we were in HS. This is without alcohol; when we drank we never ate fruit. Hmm.
I LOVE lemony desserts…more than, gasp, chocolate ones. Don’t hate. 🙂 This looks sooo yummy!
Oh yum, fab idea! I’m much more a chocolate person, which I assume you can understand, but I do appreciate a good lemon sweet every so often. My mom actually makes great lemon bars, which have a shortbread crust and a lemon custard filling. I just never think to make them myself! I love the sound of this cupcake with a little glaze. In fact, I might like to make a giant bowl of oatmeal themed after these ingredients! oooOOooooOooh maybe with some coconut too…
I like lemon stuff – it has be really lemony, though!
My SO finally told me after THREE YEARS that his favorite dessert is lemon poppyseed cake! I’d been baking him goodies and never once did he mention his favorite until I flat out asked. I’m making this for him now. He’s at work so it’ll be a nice surprise when he gets home. 🙂
Haha he probably just LOVES the fact that someone will cook for him. Guys are so easy-going :).
Let me know how the cake turns out! 🙂
I slightly overcooked it (since I’m a dork and 90 second didn’t seem long enough… face desk) and it had a spot with “density issues” but otherwise good! I’ll try again. I think I overdid the stevia, too. My microwave has super powers of incredible hotness so I need to just follow directions(!) and trust it. Hah.
Eh, to be honest, I like the oven version better. The microwave version is too dry for my liking.
Yeah, I think my toaster oven is the way to go. I love that little monster!
I am putting some lavender in this and making it for my mommy!!!! The smells and textures will be so heavenly, and I hate to cook so it will only take two seconds 🙂 Plus, its VEGAN, and since it’s so quick, I’ll bet she’ll make it too, which would be great since, IT’S VEGANNNN .< I'll try to shorten up future ones. Take care.
Oooh lavender sounds so good… although, actually, I don’t know that I’ve ever had it lol!
It’s more for aromatic/enticing purposes than it is for flavor 🙂 It’s my mom’s favorite smell. Just a teeny bit goes a long way, and I’m not sure at all what would happen with it in the microwave–it’d be a little experiment. 🙂 We have little buds of it in a jar that my mom grew in her garden and then dried out. Just a little something extra to make it more special!
*oops. ignore those last few lines!
p.s. lemon and chocolate SO can go together when done right.
I just tried this out! Added some rosemary to the mix and did it with all flax meal. Loved the flavor… but the flax made it a bit too gooey/slimy. Next time I’ll do a mix and reach Single Lady Cupcake perfection! Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Aww, thanks for trying it! I’m sorry it was gummy :(… but at least you got some omega threes, right? 🙂 lol
I normally don’t like lemon desserts either, but my Nana always made the most amazing lemon bars. For that reason, I have a special place in my heart for lemony desserts:)
Yummy!