Lemon Blueberry Pound Cake (Moist and Easy Recipe)
If you are looking for a lemon blueberry pound cake that is rich, moist, and full of bright citrus flavor, you are in the right place. This is the kind of cake that feels nostalgic and comforting, but still tastes like something you would get from a bakery. It has a soft, dense crumb, bursts of fresh blueberries, and a fresh lemon flavor that actually tastes real, not artificial. Dare I say, this is our best pound cake recipe yet?
This recipe is built on our readers’ favorite Vanilla Pound Cake Recipe, with a few key upgrades that make a noticeable difference. It uses both butter and oil for the perfect balance of flavor and moisture, sour cream for richness, and fresh lemon juice, zest, and extract to create a bright, layered lemon flavor.
Whether you are baking for a spring gathering, a holiday brunch, or just because you want something good with coffee, this lemon blueberry pound cake delivers every time and comes together in just 25 minutes of prep.
Why You Will Love This Lemon Blueberry Pound Cake
There are a lot of lemon blueberry cakes out there, but this one stands out for a few reasons:
- Super moist texture that stays soft for days
- Real lemon flavor from fresh zest and juice
- Buttery, rich crumb without feeling heavy
- Perfect blueberry distribution in every slice (no sinking blueberries!)
- Simple, consistent methods that work every time
It is the kind of recipe that feels impressive but is actually very straightforward once you understand the steps. If you have already tried our Vanilla Pound Cake recipe, this will feel familiar and easy to follow.
The Secret to Strong Lemon Flavor
One of the biggest mistakes in lemon baking is relying only on lemon juice. That gives acidity, but not deep flavor.
The real secret is lemon zest.
In this recipe, you rub the lemon zest directly into the sugar before mixing. This releases the natural oils from the zest and infuses the entire batter with lemon flavor. It is a small step, but it completely transforms the cake. We do the same technique in our lemon bars or lemon layer cake.
If you have ever had a lemon dessert that tasted flat, this is usually why.
Why This Cake Uses Both Butter and Oil
This is something I do in a lot of my cake recipes, and once you try it, it is hard to go back. Just remember:
- Butter equals flavor
- Oil equals moisture
Using both means you get a cake that tastes rich and buttery while staying soft and moist for the whole week.
If you use only butter, the pound cake can sometimes dry out. If you use only oil, you lose that classic flavor. This combination gives you the best of both.
Ingredients You’ll Need for Lemon Blueberry Pound Cake
Each ingredient in this recipe has a purpose, working together to create a pound cake that is rich, soft, and full of flavor. Understanding what each ingredient does helps you become a better baker, not just a recipe follower. Once you know how each one affects flavor, texture, moisture, and structure, it becomes much easier to get consistent results every time.
The full written measurements are down below in the recipe card.
- Granulated White Sugar – sweetens the cake and plays a major role in texture. When creamed with butter and oil, it incorporates air into the batter, creating a softer, more tender crumb.
- Lemon Zest – this is where most of the lemon flavor comes from. The zest contains natural oils that give the cake a bright, fresh citrus taste. Rubbing it into the sugar helps release those oils and distribute the flavor evenly. Feel free to increase the amount of zest for a stronger lemon flavor.
- Salted Butter – provides rich, classic pound cake flavor and structure. Using salted butter adds a slight balance to the sweetness, but unsalted butter works as well if that is what you have.
- Neutral Oil – adds moisture and keeps the cake soft for longer. While butter adds flavor, oil helps the cake stay tender all week.
- Eggs – give the cake structure, richness, and stability. Using multiple eggs creates that signature dense-yet-soft pound cake texture.
- Vanilla Bean Paste or Extract – Enhances the cake’s overall flavor. Even in a lemon dessert, vanilla rounds everything out and adds depth.
- Lemon Juice – Adds brightness and acidity. It helps balance the sweetness and reinforces the lemon flavor without overpowering the cake.
- Lemon Extract (Optional) – Boosts the lemon flavor even further. This is optional, but helpful if you want a stronger, more pronounced lemon taste.
- All-Purpose Flour – Provides the cake’s main structure. Measuring it correctly is important to avoid a dense or dry texture.
- Baking Powder – adds a slight lift to the cake. Pound cakes are naturally dense, so they get just enough rise without being super fluffy like a regular cake.
- Kosher Salt – Balances the sweetness and enhances all the other flavors in the cake.
- Sour Cream – Adds richness, moisture, and tenderness. It also gives a subtle tang that pairs perfectly with the lemon.
- Blueberries – Provide bursts of juicy sweetness throughout the cake. Fresh blueberries work best for clean slices and even distribution.
- Flour (for Blueberries) – A small amount of flour helps coat the blueberries, keeping them suspended in the batter rather than sinking to the bottom.
How to Make Lemon Blueberry Pound Cake
1. Start with the lemon sugar
Combine your sugar and lemon zest, then rub them together with your fingers. This step might feel small, but it is what gives the cake that strong, natural lemon flavor.
2. Cream the butter, oil, and sugar
Beat until the mixture is very light and fluffy. This takes about 5 to 7 minutes. Do not rush this step. Proper creaming creates a soft, tender crumb.
3. Add eggs one at a time
Mix well after each addition. This helps build structure and keeps the batter smooth.
4. Mix in the flavor
Add the vanilla, lemon juice, and lemon extract, if using.
5. Alternate dry ingredients and sour cream
This keeps the batter smooth and prevents overmixing. Always start and end with the dry ingredients.
6. Fold in the blueberries
Toss the fresh blueberries lightly in flour first. This helps keep them from sinking. Fold gently so they do not burst.
7. Bake and cool
Pour into two greased 9×5 loaf pans or a 10–12-cup Bundt pan. Bake at 325°F until a toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs.
8. Pour the lemon glaze
Combine the powdered sugar, lemon juice, melted butter, and salt until smooth and pourable. Pour generously over the cooled pound cake and serve.
How to Know When Pound Cake Is Done
A skewer inserted into the center of the lemon blueberry pound cake should come out mostly clean with a few moist crumbs. The top should be golden and set, and the cake should feel firm when lightly pressed.
Every oven bakes a little differently, so use the baking time as a guideline, not a strict rule. If the skewer comes out wet, it needs more time.
Tips for Perfect Lemon Blueberry Pound Cake Every Time
- Use room temperature ingredients. This helps everything mix smoothly and bake evenly. If you’re short on time, gently microwave the butter until softened and the sour cream until no longer cold, then place the eggs in a bowl of warm water for 5 minutes.
- Do not overmix. Once the flour is added, mix just until combined. Overmixing can make the cake tough.
- Use fresh blueberries. They hold their shape better and give you cleaner slices. If using frozen, do not thaw them first.
- Grease your pan well. Bundt cakes love to stick. Take the time to grease and flour every detail of the pan to prevent sticking.
How to Store Lemon Blueberry Pound Cake
At room temperature:
Store the cake in an airtight container for up to 3 days. This is the best way to keep it soft and moist.
In the refrigerator:
Store for up to 5 days. For the best texture, let slices come to room temperature before serving.
Freezing:
Wrap slices tightly and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
FAQ’s on Lemon Blueberry Pound Cake
For pound cake, I personally prefer using fresh berries. Frozen blueberries will work, but expect more bleeding, slight changes in texture, and a longer bake time. Always bake straight from the freezer; do not thaw.
You can use two 9×5-inch loaf pans instead. Baking time will be shorter, so start checking around 50 to 60 minutes.
This usually happens if the batter is too thin or the berries were not tossed in flour. This recipe is designed to prevent that.
Absolutely! If you prefer a stronger lemon flavor, add more zest and lemon extract for a boost.
Try these Pound Cake Flavors
- Biscoff Cookie Butter Pound Cake
- Red Velvet Pound Cake
- Sweet Potato Pound Cake
- 7UP Pound Cake
- Brown Butter Pound Cake
- Chocolate Pound Cake
Get to Baking!
This lemon blueberry pound cake is everything you want in a homemade dessert. It is rich, soft, full of flavor, and simple enough to make without stress. It takes classic pound cake and gives it a fresh, bright twist that feels perfect any time of year.
If you have been looking for a reliable blueberry lemon pound cake that delivers on texture and flavor, this is one you will come back to again and again.
Don’t forget to leave a review and tag me on social media @everythingjustbaked! I love seeing what you create!
Ingredients
- 2⅔ cups (533g) granulated white sugar
- Zest of 3 large lemons
- 1½ cups (340g) salted butter room temperature
- 6 tablespoons neutral oil (vegetable, canola, avocado)
- 6 large eggs room temperature
- 2 tablespoons vanilla bean paste or extract
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon extract optional
- 3 cups (360g) all-purpose flour
- ¾ teaspoon baking powder
- ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 cup (240g) full-fat sour cream room temperature
- 2 cups (300g) fresh blueberries
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour for blueberries
- 2 cups (240g) powdered sugar
- 3-4 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon melted butter
- pinch kosher salt
- lemon zest for garnish
- fresh blueberries for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325°F (163°C). Generously grease and flour a 10–12 cup Bundt pan.
- In a large bowl, combine the granulated sugar and lemon zest. Rub together with your fingers for 1–2 minutes until fragrant and slightly damp.
- In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter, oil, and lemon sugar on medium speed for 5–7 minutes until very pale, light, and fluffy.
- Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition and scraping the bowl as needed. Mix in the vanilla, lemon juice, and lemon extract.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- With the mixer on low speed, add the dry ingredients in three additions, alternating with the sour cream in two additions, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix just until combined.
- In a small bowl, toss the blueberries with 1 tablespoon flour. Gently fold them into the batter using a spatula.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top. Tap the pan lightly on the counter to remove air bubbles.
- Bake for 70–80 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs. If the top browns too quickly, loosely tent with foil after about 50 minutes.
- Let the cake cool in the pan for 20–25 minutes, then carefully invert onto a wire rack to cool completely.
Lemon Glaze
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, lemon juice, melted butter, and salt until smooth and pourable.
- Drizzle over the completely cooled cake, top with fresh blueberries and lemon zest and let set before slicing.
Video
Notes
- Use room temperature ingredients: Butter, eggs, and sour cream should all be at room temperature for a smooth batter and even baking. If you’re short on time, gently soften the butter in the microwave (do not melt), warm the sour cream briefly until no longer cold, and place the eggs in a bowl of warm water for 5 minutes.
- Use fresh blueberries for best results: Frozen blueberries can bleed into the batter and affect the color and texture. If using frozen, do not thaw and bake time may increase.

Amazing!! First time making pund cake and it turned out great. This baker is my go to for all my recipes. If he didnt write it I don’t want it.
Trying a big one now!
How long should I bake mini ones?!
Maybe 20-25 minutes?
Hey, live your recipes, just wanted to know, I have the dehydrated blueberries that I have stored in the fridge, can I use those? If yes, do i put them in hot water?
I would suggest the hot water! I havent tested it but it should work just as well.
This is AMAZING! It’s super moist and the flavors are delicate and delicious. I cannot wait to make this again!
O.M.G. I have been making the vanilla pound cake once a week since I found this recipe. My husband and his 98 year old mother fight over it. When I saw this I had to try it. I love lemon and blueberry. My husband wanted the vanilla so I made this for myself for Mother’s Day. Unbeknownst to me, he’s been sneaking into the kitchen “evening out the bottom” for the last hour because it slightly overflowed. He didn’t think he’d like it. Apparently he’ll eat absolutely any baked item I make as long as it’s one of Justin’s recipes. You have made a baker out of me! Fabulous recipe!
I made this pound cake in 2 loaf pans and baked 52 mins. The middle sank on both. Should’ve baked longer or tested my baking powder or both? Tasted great anyway. Love love love your posts!
So glad it still worked out. Always check your cakes with a toothpick to ensure the middle comes out clean.
Excellent! It made too much for my Bundt pan. I could easily get another small loaf with it. I just retired in January from my Cake/Cookie Business and I’m finally getting a chance to experiment with new recipes. My husband’s birthday and the fact that I had just picked fresh blueberries was the perfect excuse to try this one! And it’s better than Grandma’s! shhhhh🤫
Love watching your energy! Keep it up, stay Happy and God Bless You and your sister’s dry elbows.
I love your recipes! I followed the recipe for the lemon blueberry poundcake and used 1.5 cups of butter. But your video shows you putting in 3 sticks! My cake came out perfectly fine and my family loved it. I’m just confused.
Hi! You did it right hahaha. 3 sticks equals 1.5 cups of butter
made this recipe for mother’s day and it was a HIT. it was gone so quickly. very excited to try out other poundcake recipes.
Hey J it’s your 75 y/o lady getting ready to blow this oven again, I made the red velvet cake and J honestly there was nothing left my grandson KILLED it lol. So quick question do you use King Arthur’s flour if not can you share what AP flour you use, oh ps: went to the Bruno Mars concert and we turned it up in there, oops don’t spill the tea lol.
hahaha yay! Your going to love this recipe! If I’m being honest, I use any AP flour, no specific brand lol, sometimes even the store-named brand But King Arthurs a great one.
Omg!! I had so much fun making this cake! I was home alone for the afternoon and decided to make it. My house smelled so good! I couldn’t wait to taste it! I wound up having to bake it a bit longer but it is so worth the wait. Moist, delicious, full of lemon flavor. Only thing I would do different next time is add more blueberries. It’s a homerun in my book!
Do you think that Meyers lemons would be too mild for this cake? I find that sometimes I want the lemon taste to slap me upside the head, rather than pat me gently on the arm, y’know? I have lemon extract (not the kind you recommended) and I did try using it with my Meyers lemon, and it came out gross. I wonder if the lemon extract was the problem? Or maybe use regular lemons?
If your looking for a strong lemon sour bite I wouldn’t use the meyers! I also wouldn’t say this cake is that strong of a lemon taste so feel free to add in extra lemon extract, and zest to your liking! You can even add a lemon simple syrup if you want extra flavor.
This is a great recipe and fun to make! Room temp ingredients are key. I love the fluffiness of the batter! I’m passing this recipe on. Thanks!
My first ever pound cake🥰 easy to follow but OMG DELICIOUS 🥰 Thanks for sharing.
I’m not a baker, but I made this to the best of my ability and it tasted great. The only thing is my blueberries all fell to the bottom – they weren’t throughout the cake like the one you have pictured. I covered them in flour before adding the the batter. Do you have any suggestions on why that would have happened?
Hi! Hmmmm, did you batter seem slightly thinner or softer? Did you use fresh or frozen blueberries?
I saw your video on Facebook and had to try this. Not only is it the best pound cake I have ever made, but it is also truly the best pound cake I have ever HAD. The depth of the lemon flavor is superb. The blueberries are a perfect compliment. It did indeed stay moist on the counter for a couple days (None went to waste, it was all enjoyed). I am excited to try your chocolate and plain. Thank you for sharing your love of baking with others.
Hi! Getting ready to make this and know I’ll have leftovers. Would this freeze well?
Absolutely! Just wrap slices well and place in a ziplock.
Made this recipe using GF cup for cup
flour and it’s off the good. Also, made using regular flour and had a tasting comparison. Seriously couldn’t tell GF from regular. This recipe is in regular rotation and sometimes I add fresh strawberries with the blueberries.