Love and Olive Oil
My Big Fat Greek Yogurt & Meyer Lemon Bundt Cake

My Big Fat Greek Yogurt & Meyer Lemon Bundt Cake

Moist & tender Meyer Lemon Bundt Cake, made with Greek Yogurt

When you hear the word bundt, what’s the first thing that comes to mind?

If it’s that scene in My Big Fat Greek Wedding, you are not alone.

It’s one of those movie scenes that is so iconic, so memorable, that I don’t think there’s been a bundt cake baked in the 14 years since that hasn’t brought to mind this movie in one way or another.

I don’t know if there actually are any bundt cakes featured in the sequel (can I say, after 14 years it’s about time), though my little heart can hope, but either way I figured there’d be no better way to celebrate than with a bundt cake. A big fat Greek yogurt bundt cake.

It took every ounce of will power I had, but I resisted the urge to put a flower arrangement in the bundt hole.

Bundt hole.

(giggle)

Greek Yogurt & Lemon Bundt Cake with Meyer Lemon Glaze

The cake itself falls somewhere between a pound cake and a yellow cake, light and tender with a hint of lemon flavor and drizzled with a sweet lemon glaze.

Oh, and and it’s made with Greek yogurt too (duh). Other than the obvious connection to the new movie, the tangy yogurt both balances out the sugar as well as adding to the moisture and tender texture of the cake, much in the same way that buttermilk would in a basic yellow cake.

Greek Yogurt & Lemon Bundt Cake with Meyer Lemon Glaze

Greek Yogurt & Lemon Bundt Cake with Meyer Lemon Glaze

I had a little more trouble getting this cake out of the bundt pan than I have with chocolate bundt cakes in the past, maybe because it’s made with butter instead of oil. In the end, I found that a light coating of baking spray with flour worked the best (though too much spray will make the cake do weird things). Your next best bet is to grease the pan with shortening, not butter, then dust with flour. For some reason the shortening releases the cake more cleanly than butter, I’m guessing due to the water content of the butter.

Finally, don’t let your cake cool completely. I made this mistake the first time and lost half my top crust. Instead, let the cake cool about 15 minutes (set a timer), then invert it onto a plate and let it cool for another 10-15. It should pretty much release itself, cleanly and easily.

Moist & tender Meyer Lemon Bundt Cake recipe, made with Greek Yogurt

Now I just have to figure out how to smuggle this cake into the theater. I think I’m going to need a bigger purse…

Greek Yogurt & Lemon Bundt Cake with Meyer Lemon Glaze

Greek Yogurt & Meyer Lemon Bundt Cake

This moist and tender bundt cake falls somewhere in between a pound cake and a yellow cake, with a hint of Meyer lemon and a sweet lemon glaze.

Did you make this recipe?

Ingredients:

For Cake:

  • 1 1/2 cups (6 1/4 ounces) all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 cups (6 ounces) cake flour*
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 1/2 cups granulated sugar
  • 3 large eggs, room temperature**
  • 3/4 cup whole milk Greek yogurt
  • 1/3 cup whole milk
  • 1/4 cup Meyer lemon juice (from 2-3 lemons)
  • 1 teaspoon Meyer lemon zest (from 1 lemon)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For Glaze:

  • 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
  • 2 tablespoons Meyer lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon Meyer lemon zest
  • 1/2 tablespoon unsalted butter
  • pinch fine sea salt (omit if using salted butter)

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease (shortening works better than butter in this case) and flour a standard 12-cup capacity bundt pan or spray with baking spray.
  2. In a bowl, sift together flour, cake flour, baking powder, and salt and set aside.
  3. In a large mixing bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat butter and sugar on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, 2 to 3 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Scrape down the sides of the bowl.
  4. In a separate small bowl, whisk together Greek yogurt, milk, lemon juice, lemon zest, and vanilla until smooth and incorporated.
  5. Add 1/3 of dry ingredients to mixing bowl and mix on low speed until almost incorporated. Add half of yogurt mixture and mix to combine. Repeat with another 1/3 of dry ingredients, remaining yogurt mixture, and ending with remaining dry ingredients, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed, until just incorporated (do not overmix).
  6. Pour batter into prepared baking pan and bake for 60 to 70 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the thickest part of the cake comes out clean.
  7. Remove from oven and let cool on a wire rack for 15 minutes, then invert onto a plate or serving platter and let cool upside-down for another 10 minutes. The cake should release itself, and you should be able to pull the pan off cleanly at this point. Let cool to room temperature before glazing.
  8. To make glaze, in a microwave-safe bowl or 4-cup capacity glass measuring cup, whisk together powdered sugar and lemon juice. Add lemon zest butter, and salt and microwave for 15 to 20 seconds until butter is just melted. Stir until smooth. If you prefer a thinner glaze use it immediately, otherwise let it cool for 10 to 15 minutes or until slightly thickened. Drizzle over top of cooled bundt cake, then slice and serve. Cake is best served the day it is made, but will keep in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
  • **You can use 3 cups cake flour or 3 cups all-purpose flour if you like, however I found that the blend of the two produced the best texture.
  • *It is VERY important that all your ingredients be at room temperature, or the batter will not come together smoothly. I recommend taking everything out of the fridge at least 1 hour before you start baking. If you’re in a rush, you can soften your butter in the microwave (just don’t overdo it) and put your eggs in a bowl of warm water for 15-20 minutes to let them come up to temperature.
All images and text © / Love & Olive Oil

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31 Comments

  1. The Lemon Bundt cake is delicious.
    light and perfect balance of sweet and tart

  2. Great recipe! I did not have a bundt pan so used regular 13×9, and cook time was 44 minutes. But…

    BIG OMISSION: the glaze left the liquid out (I used vanilla coffee creamer until it was the consistency I wanted)

    • Lemon juice + melted butter make up the liquid portion of the glaze, though you can certainly thin it out with milk as well if you prefer something thinner!

  3. This might be a silly question, but I’m not much of a baker. What’s the difference between Meyer lemons and normal lemons. And can I use normal lemons for this recipe?

    • Meyer lemons are sweeter, sort of a combination of orange and lemon in flavor. If you used regular lemons here the result would be much more tart, you might choose to scale back the lemon juice/zest to compensate.

  4. Would it be ok to freeze the cake and then add the glaze after it thaws?

  5. i have been LOVING your cake recipes lately! I made the red wine one, and it turned out great, and I am planning to make the cinnamon swirl layer one for my birthday. Do you have any suggestions about how to make this recipe work for a layer cake? Thanks!

  6. Wow! I fell in love with this bundt cake in the moment I saw it! I’ve tried your recipe and the result was delicious. I’ve included your post in a round up I have just posted in my blog about lemon sponge cakes. Thanks!

  7. I’m gonna have a party tomorrow so I’m currently looking around some cooking blogs for some inspiration. This looks really delicious, a leading favourite so far! :) 

  8. One of the best movies and I can’t wait to see the sequel.  This cake is a must for spring get togethers!

  9. What a gorgeous cake, and that crumb though!
    I have to say ever since I watched that movie, I’m very self-concious to pronounce that word. And yes, whenever I hear word “bundt”, that scene comes to mind. Hilarious!

  10. Just wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed this. Keep up the amazing work.

  11. This. Looks. Incredible. #drooling

    XO 
    -Elizabeth

  12. I cannot adequately express how much joy this post brings me. I couldn’t stop giggling when I read it and pictured that scene with the “bundt” pronunciation. Also, thanks for the tips on getting the cake out of the pan. That had to be a heartbreaker when the top part broke the first time!

  13. LOVE THIS BUNDT. It looks so bright and velvety-textured and sweet-tart delicious. Beautiful as always, L! 

  14. Wonderful. love the title and I can’t wait to see the movie! This cake looks heavenly!
    Thank you.

  15. Wonderful. love the title and I can’t wait to see the movie! This cake looks heavenly!
    Thank you.

  16. You are SO not alone in that. The number of times I say “There, I fixed it!!” in that accent … I cannot even count. Can’t wait to use my new “bonk” pan for this delicious recipe!!

  17. Yum! The cake looks so tender and moist, I really wish I owned a bundt tin so I could make it!

  18. Cakes like this are the dang best!! Love that perfect lemon batter!

  19. That is one of my favorite movie scenes ever!!! :) This is my kinda (bundt) cake. 

  20. Wow, this looks absolutely delicious. Makes me want to throw a Big Fat Greek party to celebrate the new film and as an excuse to bake it!

  21. You always have the best meyer lemon (and passion fruit) recipes!! This cake is beyond beautiful and I am sure very delicious. I can’t wait for the movie…loved the first one!! 

  22. This cake looks delicious, would be lovely for Easter. However what I really love are your dessert forks!

  23. Wow the looks so good!!! I love lemon anything 

  24. I want to go with you!!!  I lived this movie when meeting M’s family!  Let’s have a double date.

  25. I always come here for the best Meyer lemon recipes! 

  26. If the movie is anywhere near as good as this cake looks I’m sure it’ll be a huge success!

  27. Ha, love the title and I can’t wait to see the movie! This cake looks heavenly!

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