If you are searching for a light, moist, and irresistibly tender dessert, this Greek Yogurt Cake Recipe is the answer you’ve been craving. Combining the rich creaminess of Greek yogurt with a bright touch of lemon zest and a subtle vanilla aroma, this cake strikes a perfect balance between healthful ingredients and indulgent flavor. It’s easy to whip up, beautifully textured, and flexible enough for both everyday treats and special occasions. Trust me, once you make this cake, it’ll quickly become a beloved classic in your baking repertoire.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Getting the ingredients right is key to nailing this Greek Yogurt Cake Recipe. Each component plays a vital role, from adding moisture and tenderness to lifting and flavoring the cake. These simple staples come together in harmony to create a dessert that’s both elegant and approachable.
- Plain Greek yogurt: This is the star ingredient, lending the cake moisture, a slight tang, and a dense yet fluffy texture.
- Large eggs: They provide structure and richness, helping the cake rise beautifully.
- Granulated sugar: Adds just the right amount of sweetness to balance the tangy yogurt.
- Vegetable oil: Keeps the crumb tender and moist without overpowering flavors.
- All-purpose flour: The base that holds everything together while creating a light crumb.
- Baking powder: Ensures the cake rises evenly and stays fluffy.
- Baking soda: Works alongside baking powder for optimal lift and crumb texture.
- Salt: Enhances all the other flavors, preventing any one taste from dominating.
- Vanilla extract: Adds warm, sweet notes that complement the tangy yogurt.
- Lemon zest (optional): Brightens and freshens the cake with a natural citrus aroma.
- Powdered sugar (optional): Perfect for a delicate dusting just before serving, adding a subtle sweetness and elegance.
How to Make Greek Yogurt Cake Recipe
Step 1: Prepare your oven and pan
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F to ensure it’s the perfect temperature when you’re ready to bake. Grease and flour an 8-inch round cake pan or line it with parchment paper to prevent sticking, making sure your cake will release easily once baked.
Step 2: Mix the wet ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together the Greek yogurt, eggs, granulated sugar, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract until smooth and uniform. This combination creates the foundation for a moist cake with a tender crumb. If you’re using lemon zest, stir it in now to infuse the batter with a fresh citrus note.
Step 3: Combine the dry ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk your all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. This step ensures your leavening agents are evenly distributed, which is key to the cake rising evenly and having a light texture.
Step 4: Bring the batter together
Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring gently until just combined. Avoid overmixing here; we want everything incorporated but still tender. The batter will be slightly thick but smooth, ready to pour into your prepared pan.
Step 5: Bake to perfection
Pour the batter evenly into your greased pan and smooth the top with a spatula. Pop it into the preheated oven and bake for 30 to 35 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, signaling that the cake is perfectly set.
Step 6: Cool and finish
Let the cake cool in the pan for about 10 minutes to firm up before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. This resting time helps the cake maintain its moist texture. Once cool, dust with powdered sugar for a beautiful finishing touch, if desired.
How to Serve Greek Yogurt Cake Recipe
Garnishes
Simple yet elegant garnishes can elevate your Greek Yogurt Cake Recipe even further. A light dusting of powdered sugar adds a pretty, snowy finish, while fresh lemon zest or thin slices of lemon offer a bright pop of color and flavor. For a richer touch, spreading a thin layer of lemon glaze or a few fresh berries on top creates an inviting presentation.
Side Dishes
This cake pairs wonderfully with a variety of accompaniments. A dollop of whipped cream or a spoonful of fresh fruit preserves amplifies the cake’s delicate flavor. For coffee lovers, serve alongside a robust espresso or creamy latte to complement the cake’s subtle tang and sweetness.
Creative Ways to Present
Turn your Greek Yogurt Cake Recipe into a showstopper by cutting it into charming bite-sized squares for a party platter or layering slices with fresh berries and a drizzle of honey for an elegant trifle. You can even serve warm slices with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an irresistible dessert experience that’s both comforting and fresh.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
You’ll be happy to know that leftover Greek Yogurt Cake keeps beautifully at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 2 days. For longer storage, keep it covered in the refrigerator for up to 5 days without losing its moist, tender quality.
Freezing
If you want to make this cake ahead of time, it freezes very well. Wrap the cooled cake tightly in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil, placing it in a freezer-safe container. It will stay fresh for up to 2 months. When you’re ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the fridge.
Reheating
To bring your Greek Yogurt Cake Recipe back to life, warm individual slices in the microwave for 15–20 seconds or in a low oven at 300°F for about 10 minutes. This will refresh the softness and make it just like freshly baked.
FAQs
Can I use flavored Greek yogurt in this cake?
While plain Greek yogurt is ideal for maintaining a balanced flavor, you can experiment with mild flavored varieties like vanilla, but be mindful of adjusting the sugar accordingly to avoid too much sweetness or clashing flavors.
Is it possible to substitute the vegetable oil?
Yes! You can swap vegetable oil with melted coconut oil or a light olive oil for a slight twist in flavor. Just keep the measurement the same to preserve the cake’s moist texture.
Can I make this cake gluten-free?
Absolutely. Replace the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend designed for baking. The texture may vary slightly, but the cake will still be delicious.
What if I don’t have lemon zest on hand?
The lemon zest adds brightness but is optional. You can skip it or substitute with a teaspoon of orange zest or a splash of lemon extract for a different citrus note.
How does the Greek Yogurt affect the cake’s texture?
Greek yogurt adds moisture and a subtle tang that creates a tender crumb, making the cake soft and rich without being dense. It’s the secret behind the cake’s lovely, melt-in-your-mouth quality.
Final Thoughts
This Greek Yogurt Cake Recipe is truly a delightful way to bring a touch of Mediterranean sunshine into your kitchen. It’s simple to make, versatile, and utterly delicious—whether you’re enjoying it as a weekday treat or impressing guests at your next gathering. I encourage you to try it out and discover how this humble mix of ingredients transforms into a cake that feels both comforting and special. Happy baking!
Print
Greek Yogurt Cake Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Greek Yogurt Cake is a light and moist dessert that combines creamy Greek yogurt with a tender crumb and a subtle hint of lemon zest. Perfect for a simple yet flavorful treat, this cake is easy to prepare and ideal for any occasion, offering a Mediterranean twist to your dessert repertoire.
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 3 large eggs
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Optional Ingredients
- Zest of 1 lemon
- Powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour an 8-inch round cake pan or line it with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the Greek yogurt, eggs, sugar, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and homogeneous. If using, add the lemon zest now and stir to combine.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt to ensure even distribution of the leavening agents and salt.
- Mix Batter: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing gently until just combined. Avoid overmixing to maintain a tender texture.
- Pour and Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan, smoothing the top with a spatula. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool the Cake: Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Then, transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely, helping to set its texture and flavor.
- Serve: Before serving, optionally dust the top with powdered sugar for an extra touch of sweetness and decoration.
Notes
- For extra flavor, prepare a glaze by mixing lemon juice with powdered sugar and drizzle it over the cooled cake.
- This cake pairs wonderfully with a touch of almond extract added to the batter for a nutty twist.
- Fresh berries can be folded into the batter or served alongside for added texture and fruity freshness.
