Mini Limoncello Lemon Bundt Cakes with Lemon Glaze

Mini Limoncello Lemon Bundt Cakes are not only adorable, but they’re also a decadent, moist, and tangy dessert. You’ll find an array of bright, high-quality ingredients in each one. They’re extra light, fluffy and delectable!

⭐ Why You’ll Love This Recipe 

Packed with bright lemon flavors and warming vanilla, these Mini Limoncello Lemon Bundt Cakes will bring a little bit of sunshine to all kinds of special occasions. Their miniature size makes them perfect for garden parties, baby showers, or any upcoming celebration.

These elegant mini lemon cakes are made with high-end ingredients that truly take each bite to the next level. You’ll find 3 “layers” in each one:

1. A light and airy mini lemon bundt cake
2. Homemade limoncello icing on top
3. And a dollop of cream cheese frosting and a lemon wheel

Feel free to experiment with your decorations to get the limoncello cakes just the way you like - candied lemon slices would be a great way to decorate. You can omit the cream cheese frosting for a true dairy free dessert or swap the limoncello for alcohol-free lemonade.

Looking for more bright and tangy lemon desserts for the garden party? Then you’ll have to try my Lavender Lemon Sandwich Cookies or my Lemon And Mascarpone Cream Tart!

🍴Ingredients

Here's what you'll need to make these perfect size mini lemon bundt cakes:

• Cake flour - Naturally low in gluten, this flour will keep your cakes extra tender and fluffy. No cake flour at home? DIY it with all purpose flour and cornstarch! For every one cup of flour, remove one tablespoon of flour and add one tablespoon of cornstarch.
• Lemons - Using the zest and juice helps to pack in as much citrusy tang as possible.
• Kefir - This tangy, yogurt-like drink is packed with healthy bacteria and yeast. Most of the kefir you can get at the grocery store is made with cow’s milk, so be on the lookout for a dairy-free version if that's your preference!
• Neutral oil - I prefer using canola or grapeseed oil. Coconut, vegetable, or avocado oil can also be used.
• Limoncello glaze - A sweet and boozy mixture of limoncello liqueur and powdered sugar is poured over the baked cakes to give them an extra burst of bright flavors and moisture.
• Whipped cream cheese frosting - This classic carrot cake or cupcake frosting is also exceptionally delicious on a bright and vibrant lemon cake. Plus, it’s very easy to make using unsalted butter, cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract. If you’d like to keep the mini cakes 100% dairy-free, you can omit the frosting.
• Garnish - Are you a lemon lover? Add a lemon wheel or candied lemon slices on top of the little cakes an extra bit of flair and bright lemon flavor!

Looking to create delicious and homemade garnishes to elevate your creations? Try adding Sugared Flowers, Candied Rose Petals, Dried Orange Slices or Sugared berries!

📖 Step by Step Instructions

These mini bundt cakes look so adorable when baked in mini bundt pans, but a cupcake tin may also be used. Get some mixing bowls and your stand mixer ready because you’ll want to enjoy these lemon glaze cakes as quickly as possible:

To make the mini lemon cakes:

Step 1: Mix the dry ingredients. Sift the cake flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt into a small bowl. Set aside.

Step 2: Mix the wet ingredients. Whisk the eggs, sugar, oil, lemon zest, vanilla paste, kefir, lemon juice, and lemon extract together in a separate medium bowl until well combined.

Step 3: Finish the cake batter. Add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients and mix until just combined. 

Step 4: Bake the cakes. Fill the miniature bunt pans with the cake batter. Bake until a toothpick inserted into the thickest part of a cake comes out clean. Allow the cakes to cool on a wire rack.

To make the limoncello glaze and cream cheese frosting

Step 1: Make the limoncello glaze. Whisk the limoncello and powdered sugar together until the mixture is thick and glossy. Set aside.

Step 2: Make the whipped cream cheese frosting. Whip the softened butter and cream cheese together. Slowly add the powdered sugar and vanilla until you have a light and fluffy frosting. 

Step 3: Decorate the cakes and serve. Use a toothpick to poke small holes into each of your mini lemon cakes before generously drizzling the top of the cake with limoncello glaze. Pipe a dollop of whipped cream cheese frosting on top, garnish with a thinly sliced lemon round, then serve!

🍋 Ingredient Tips for Dairy-Free Mini Lemon Cakes

DIY Cake Flour

No cake flour? No problem! If you don't have cake flour at home, you can make your own substitute using all-purpose flour and cornstarch. Cake flour has a low percentage of protein - therefore we need to "weaken" our all-purpose flour by adding cornstarch and removing some flour.

For every one cup of flour, remove one tablespoon of flour and add one tablespoon of cornstarch. Whisk to combine, and you're all set!

Fresh Lemon Juice

Freshly squeezed lemon juice is key for this limoncello cake recipe! Prefer the bottled juice? I would highly advise taste testing bottled lemon juice next to freshly squeezed. The difference is sure to shock your taste buds! Freshly squeezed lemon juice is more naturally acidic, bright, and flavorful.

Lemon Extract

The process of making lemon extract is incredibly similar to creating Vanilla Extract. First, gather and peel six lemons and put the peels in a jar. Cover the lemon peels with one cup of vodka and let the extraction process commence! By shaking daily and keeping in a cool, dark place for approximately two months - you'll have lemon extract!

The process of creating homemade lemon extract requires a slow, cold infusion. Alcohol is known to be the most effective way to help extract flavors from ingredients. Extracting flavor from lemon peels can take quite some time - the longer you allow the extract to sit, the flavor will become richer and the color will continue to develop.

👩🏻‍🍳 Expert Tips

Here are a few reasons why you may want to start incorporating more neutral oils into your cake baking rather than butter!

• Dairy Free - For those with allergies and sensitivities this can be an amazing alternative option.
• Ever so Moist - At room temperature, olive oil is a liquid as it is 100% composed of fat. Butter on the other hand is a combination of both water and fat, so when placed in the fridge it solidifies. You may be familiar with cake recipes that remind you to take the cake out of the fridge for an hour or two before serving. This allows the butter in the cake and buttercream to soften, promoting a more tender and moist mouthfeel. By using olive oil instead of butter in cake recipes, you avoid this issue completely.
• Olive Oil Flavor - When picking what olive oil to use, try choosing an Extra Virgin Olive Oil with a mild-flavored variety. Some olive oils have a tendency to be quite spicy and peppery and depending on your baked good, this could be too much of a contrasting and overpowering flavor.
• A "Good Fat" - Olive oil contains a large number of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties and Vitamin E. Ultimately what I'm telling you is.... a slice of cake a day COULD keep the doctor away!?

💭 Recipe FAQs

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