Instant Pot Lemon Cake

Name: Instant Pot Lemon Cake
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Ingredients: 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour; 1 tsp baking powder; 1/8 tsp kosher salt; 3/4 cup granulated sugar; 2 large eggs (at room temperature); 1/2 cup unsalted butter (melted); 1 tsp vanilla extract; 1 cup milk; 2 Tbsp lemon juice; 2 tsp lemon zest; 1/2 cup lemon curd

Author by Amanda Davis on January 10, 2022 Updated on September 30, 2024

5 from 9 votes

This lemon loaf cake is incredibly moist and fairly dense like a pound cake, but with a bit more of an airy texture to it.

Cook Time 30

Total Time 40

Jump to Recipe

This instant pot lemon cake is dense but moist, swirled with tangy and sweet lemon curd, and full of refreshing citrus flavor that comes together in around 40 minutes in the pressure cooker.

removing a slice of Instant Pot Lemon Cake

Why this recipe works

This is no ordinary lemon cake. This instant pot lemon cake is incredibly moist and fairly dense like a pound cake, but with a bit more of an airy texture to it. Top with our homemade instant pot lemon curd and you have a cake that’s made entirely in the pressure cooker! It’s refreshing and bursting with bright citrus notes that’ll make you swoon.

Ingredients you will need

Get all measurements, ingredients, and instructions in the printable version at the end of this post.

Ingredient Info and Substitution Suggestions

CAKE – Use fresh lemon juice, not the bottled kind. As all lemons vary in size, it’s best to grab an extra lemon or two when you’re looking to extract the juices. 1 lemon should produce around 2-3 Tbsp of juice, so I would recommend grabbing 2-3 lemons to be safe. You can use store-bought lemon curd or make your own by following our instant pot lemon curd recipe. Make sure your eggs are at room temperature before beginning.

How to Make Instant Pot Lemon Cake

These step by step photos and instructions are here to help you visualize how to make this recipe. You can Jump to Recipe to get the printable version of this recipe, complete with measurements and instructions at the bottom.

Spray a 7 inch springform cake pan with cooking spray and set aside.
In a medium bowl, mix together the flour, salt and baking powder.
In a separate bowl, combine the eggs and sugar until well blended, and then stir in the vanilla extract and melted butter.
Gradually add the dry flour mixture into the wet egg mixture until well mixed.
Stir the milk into the batter, followed by the lemon zest and lemon juice until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
Pour the batter into the greased springform pan. Drop dollops of lemon curd across the top of the cake batter, and use a knife or toothpick to swirl the curd.
Lower the pan into the bottom of a 6 qt Instant Pot with the trivet and close the lid. Turn the steam valve to the sealing position and select manual high pressure for 30 minutes. Allow the steam to naturally release once finished cooking.
After the steam has released and the pin indicator has dropped, remove the lid. Carefully pull the trivet out of the pot and allow the cake to fully cool before removing from the springform pan. Slice and serve with a dollop of lemon curd or whipped cream, enjoy!

Frequently Asked Questions & Expert Tips

How do I store this cake and how long will it keep?

Store the lemon cake in an air-tight container kept at room temperature for up to 2 days.

Can I make it in a bundt pan?

Yes, you can use a 6 or 7-inch bundt cake pan, following all the instructions as normal.

Serving Suggestions

This lemon loaf cake can certainly pass as breakfast with a cup of coffee or can be served as a refreshing dessert after dinner. Top with a dollop of fresh whipped cream and extra lemon curd for good measure.

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Amanda Davis

President at Amanda's Creative Studio, Inc.

Amanda Davis is the entrepreneurial mom of four grown children and four step children. She and her husband, Chef Antoine, love to cook together creating recipes for this blog. Amanda also make kid's crafts and creates decorative items for her home. She is a crafting expert and guru in the kitchen and has appeared online and in print publications many times over the years. She is also a craft book author five times over and product developer as well as the owner of FunFamilyCrafts.com. You can find her on social media by using the buttons to the left!