This gluten free lemon raspberry cake combines zesty lemon and sweet, tart raspberry jam for a refreshingly exquisite dessert that will captivate your taste buds and leave you craving for more.
The cake itself boasts a tender and moist texture that melts in your mouth. Nestled between the layers of lemon cake is a delightful surprise: a generous spread of raspberry jam. Bursting with the vibrant colors and natural sweetness of ripe raspberries, the jam infuses the cake with a fruity flavor that beautifully complements the tanginess of the lemon. The velvety texture of the jam provides a luscious contrast to the softness of the cake, creating a harmonious balance of textures. Top it off with tangy lemon buttercream for a perfect dessert any time of year.
I usually use my American Buttercream flavored with fresh lemon juice for this cake but you can use any type of buttercream that you like.
I have tested this recipe with both of my gluten free flour mixes, Better Batter, Cup 4 Cup, King Arthur Measure for Measure and Bob’s 1:1, and it works perfectly with all of them.

Lemon Raspberry Cake
Ingredients
- 330 g 1:1 gluten free flour
- 2 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- 224 g neutral oil avocado, vegetable, safflower, etc
- 400 g granulated sugar
- zest of 1 lemon
- 120 g egg whites room temperature (approx. 4 large eggs)
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 120 g whole milk room temperature (can sub 2%)
- 120 g fresh lemon juice
- 160 g raspberry jam for filling
- 1 recipe lemon buttercream Recipe here
Instructions
- Directions:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).-Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans and line the line the bottom with parchment paper.
- If making cupcakes - Line two standard size cupcake/ muffin pans with papers and set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Whisk them together until well combined.
- Add the oil (or ghee) and lemon zest to the dry ingredients. Using an electric mixer on low speed or a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, mix the oil into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles wet sand. This process is called "reverse creaming."
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk,, eggs, lemon juice and vanilla extract until well blended.
- With the mixer still on low speed, gradually pour about half of the egg mixture into the dry ingredient mixture. Mix until the ingredients are just combined. Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula as needed.
- Increase the mixer speed to medium and beat the batter for about 30 seconds. This will help to ensure that the batter is fully mixed.
- Reduce the mixer speed to low again and gradually add the remaining milk mixture. Mix until the batter is smooth and well incorporated. Be careful not to overmix or whip too much air into the batter.
- Set your batter aside to rest at room temperature for 30 minutes
- Divide the batter equally between the prepared cake pans and smooth the tops with a spatula.
- Place the pans in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 25-30 minutes for cakes and 20-22 minutes for cupcakes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cakes comes out clean.
- Once baked, remove the cakes/cupcakes from the oven.
- Let the cakes cool in the pans for about 10 minutes and then remove to a wire rack to cool completely before filling and frosting.
Filling & Frosting
- Evenly cut each cake layer in half to create 4 cake layers (you an also just leave as is for a 2 layer cake). I find a serrated bread or cake knife works best for this.
- Pipe frosting around the edge of each layer to create a dam, and then fill with a thin layer of jam before topping with more frosting. Repeat with the next cake layer.
- Frost and decorate your cake with the remaining buttercream.
This cake is addictive
Very nice
The bright flavors and super moist fluffy cake
Absolutely delicious. Have made it several times as family requests it for birthdays.
I made these as cupcakes. Nice bright flavor.
So good!! Grandson is NOT i to sweets, and wouldn’t stay off of these! I added a bit more lemon flavor and everyone loved it. Nothing left over!!
Great lemon flavor.
This is sooo delicious. My layers looked too thin to cut in half, but that was just a rookie mistake. Next time it will be 4 layers.
I’d never made a cake from scratch before, but so many people loved this recipe that I made it for a birthday party. Sure enough, huge hit. It has bright, lovely flavors that combine perfectly. It would make a great summer cake, light and summery.