Lemon Yogurt Breakfast Cake, or Ciambella, is a classic Italian style lemon bundt cake with lots of lemony flavor and a delicate crumb. Pair it with a good cup of coffee and you’ve got the start to a great day. It’s an ideal bake for a brunch or luncheon.
lemon yogurt cake is a breakfast treat
Not to be confused with dessert, this gorgeous cake is a classic Italian style breakfast cake. It’s not overly sweet, with a subtle lemon flavor, just like it would be served in Italy. The cake is soft and pillowy, and the lemony flavor shines through beautifully, ~ it just begs for a perfect cup of espresso to go along with. A little jam, lemon curd, or a nice dunk in your coffee wouldn’t be a bad idea either. I’m convinced this is what breakfast was meant to be.
simple ingredients you’ll probably have in your kitchen
- eggs
- sugar
- full fat yogurt ~ yogurt makes a cake moist and tender.
- lemons ~ you’ll use the juice and the all important zest.
- vegetable oil ~ I choose a mild one like canola, but the Italians will sometimes use olive oil.
- flour
- baking powder, salt
This Italian style lemon pound cake is a nice change from the oil soaked coffee shop lemon pound cakes, and there’s something very elegant and not at all decadent about this recipe. The flavors of Italian ciambelle are as varied as bundt cakes here in the US, but citrus is one of the favorites. This recipe includes fresh lemon juice as well as zest, and definitely don’t skip the zest, it may seem like a small addition, but the flavor impact is huge. The oils in the peel hold most of the lemon’s flavor.
why do I serve this lemon bundt cake rough side up?
Most bundt cakes are removed from the pan and served with the smooth, rounded side up. I prefer the rough side for a couple of reasons: the texture is not only pretty, it catches the powdered sugar nicely. If I choose to add a glaze or syrup to the cake, it will sink into the craggy surface easily, too. It’s the way the Italians serve it.
tips for baking lemon yogurt breakfast cake
- Invest in a good sturdy nonstick bundt pan, they aren’t expensive. I like Nordic Ware, they’ve been around for ages. You can also use a traditional ring shaped pan for a more authentic look.
- Whatever pan you choose, you must butter it well, getting in all the nooks and crannies, and then dust with flour, shaking off the excess. It really makes a difference. I find cooking spray does not give the same results so I always butter and flour.
- For the best texture, beat your eggs well. The air you beat into them helps the cake rise. I used my stand mixer with the whisk attachment to mix this cake.
- Once you add your dry ingredient, don’t over mix, blend just until everything is combined.
- Check your cake on the early side, because you don’t want to over cook.
- Let your cooked cake cool for about 10 minutes, then loosen around the edges with a thin spreading knife before flipping over.
- If you’re yearning for a moister cake, I’d recommend adding a glaze to the top while it’s still warm. The glaze will sink in and add lots of moisture, as well as an intense hit of lemon. I’ve added instructions below. I like it both ways.
the Great Island kitchen recommends:Â a basic bundt pan
Bundt pans come in all sorts of wonderful shapes and sizes, which is great, except that you never know how your pan is going to work with a specific recipe. I like to use this one from Wilton which is a basic, all purpose pan that’s sturdy, nonstick, and a standard size. The simple fluted shape insures an easy release, and isn’t that what it’s all about?
more lemon cakes!
- Meyer Lemon Cake
- Lemon Cheesecake Recipe
- Lemon Blueberry Bundt Cake
- Lemon Poppy Seed Cake
- Warm Lemon Pudding Cake (gluten free, or not!)
- Lemon Olive Oil Cake
Lemon Yogurt Breakfast Cake
Video
Equipment
- standard 10-12 cup bundt cake pan
Ingredients
dry ingredients
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
wet ingredients
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
- 3/4 cups granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup full fat yogurt
- zest from 1 or 2 lemons
- 1/4 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice, zest your lemon before juicing!
- 3/4 cup vegetable oil
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350F
- Butter and flour your bundt pan.
- Whisk together the dry ingredients and set aside.
- Beat the eggs for 2 minutes until pale and thick. Gradually beat in the sugar.
- Blend in the rest of the wet ingredients and mix well.
- Fold in the dry ingredients and mix just until completely blended.
- Turn the batter into the pan and bake for 30-35 minutes, until just beginning to turn golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out without wet batter clinging to it. Don’t over bake.
- Let the cake cool on a rack for 10 minutes before turning out. I like to flip it over so the rough edge faces up. Let cool completely before dusting with sugar.
Notes
- You can substitute sour cream for the yogurt.
- Use melted butter in place of vegetable oil.
- Want to make this cake into a super decadent experience? Serve it with some homemade clotted cream.
- Add a lemon syrup ~ If you’d like to add extra lemon flavor, plus moisture to this cake, made a lemon syrup to pour over the warm cake: heat 1/3 cup fresh lemon juice and 1/3 cup sugar in a small saucepan until the sugar is dissolved. Let cool. After you have removed the cake from the pan, poke holes all over the top with a skewer. Spoon the syrup over the top, letting it sink into the holes.
- Add a lemon glaze ~ Mix 1 cup confectioner’s sugar with enough fresh lemon juice to make a spreadable glaze. Drizzle or spread over the cooled cake.
- You can use milk, cream, or buttermilk in place of the yogurt.
- For an authentic Italian flavor try using olive oil (pure, not extra virgin) for the vegetable oil.
Nutrition
Can I make this in a 9 x 13 pan? If so, how much baking time is required?
I haven’t tried that, but I would check it at 25 minutes and go from there.
Oops, never mind! I see answer already in your notes at end recipe! Thanks for so many lovely lemon recipes.
Is it possible to use buttermilk instead of yogurt? Would the pH have correct effect on baking powder vs baking soda?
Trying this ! Has anyone frozen or kept in refrigerator for a day or two before serving?
I really like your rhubarb cake, it’s easy and delicious!,
I love your recipes! I’m wondering if this recipe could be made as muffins, and what changes would need to be made. Thank you!
My go to recipe to take to my Mum or friends for coffee visit.
Do you re on end Greek yogurt which is thicker and more dense or regular yogurt ?
Thank you ever so much
I usually find that baking with regular yogurt is best.
I have made this many times a real pleaser for family and friends I make a glaze using lemoncello as the liquid.