This Lemon & Thyme Drizzle Traybake is a traditional British recipe with a twist. The fresh thyme leaves are delicious with the lemon – give it a try, you’ll love it!
A twist on a British classic
A lemon drizzle cake it a British institution. It is such a classic bake that most people have attempted to make it or have at least eaten it!
This Lemon & Thyme Drizzle Traybake is a twist on that delicious cake we all know and love. Most people have had a lemon drizzle cake so why not change things up slightly?
Thyme in a cake?!
You might be slightly surprised that this cake has time in it. Thyme and lemon are a match made in heaven and really compliment each other.
Don’t be put off thinking thyme is only used in savoury dishes. Think of it like mint that works well in sweet and savoury dishes.
The thyme offers a lovely subtle flavour that is delicious with the lemon without overpowering the cake.
Where’s the crisp sugar topping?
Simply put, I don’t like it so I changed it.
I don’t like the crunch of sugar. I know I might be odd but I just don’t like it. So instead I have made a lovely soft but sharp drizzle.
You will find this soft drizzle on a number of my cakes like my Gin & Lime Drizzle Cake and Blood Orange Drizzle Cake.
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Lemon & Thyme Drizzle Traybake
This Lemon & Thyme Drizzle Traybake is a traditional British recipe with a twist. The fresh thyme leaves are delicious with the lemon - give it a try, you'll love it!
Ingredients
For the cake
- 225 g margarine
- 225 g caster sugar
- 275 g self raising flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 4 eggs
- 4 tbsp semi-skimmed milk
- 2 lemons zested
- 3 tsp thyme leaves
For the drizzle
- 100 g icing sugar
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- ½ tsp thyme
Instructions
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Preheat the oven to 160ºC (fan assisted 180ºC non fan) and line a traybake or roasting tin with baking paper
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Cream the butter and sugar together for a couple of minutes until light and fluffy
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Add the rest of the cake ingredients and mix until combined
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Tip into the prepared tin and spread to flatten the top. Bake for 35-40 minutes or until a cocktail stick comes out clean
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Leave the cake to cool on a wire rack
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Once the cake is completely cooled, make the drizzle by combining the lemon juice with the icing sugar. Add a little at a time because you may more need it all
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Drizzle over the traybake and scatter with the fresh thyme leaves. Cut into squares and serve.
Recipe Notes
Add the lemon juice gradually as you may not need to add it all. You want the drizzle to be thin enough to actually drizzle over the cake, but thick enough so it is visible on the cake.
Monika Dabrowski says
Love the herby twist in this delicious cake! Thank you for bringing it to #CookBlogShare!
Curly says
Thanks Monika 🙂
Priya Joshi says
Yum! I’ve been making a lemon drizzle for ages now but without the thyme… I defo want to try this now!
Curly says
Go on, add a little thyme 😉
Corina Blum says
It sounds delicious! We love lemon cakes but I’ve never actually added thyme to one. I’m sure it’s really tasty!
Curly says
Thanks. It adds a lovely subtle taste 🙂
Eb Gargano | Easy Peasy Foodie says
YUM!! Love this. I’ve made lemon drizzle cake many times, but never thought to add thyme to it. Need to try that now!! Eb x
Curly says
Thanks Eb. The time adds a subtle but really lovely flavour and doesn’t make it taste savoury!x
Jo Allison / Jo's Kitchen Larder says
What a fantastic idea to add thyme to lemon cake! I must say I do love traditional lemon drizzle cake but your soft and tangy lemon icing sounds really appealing too! 🙂 #Thank you for sharing with #BakingCrumbs 🙂 x PS. I can’t get over the thyme! lol It’s a must try for me! 🙂
Curly says
Thanks Jo. I know I’m the odd one out not liking the traditional crunchy topping but hopefully I can win a few people round with my soft icing! Haha give the thyme a try!
Kat (The Baking Explorer) says
What gorgeous flavours! I like the soft icing too 🙂
Curly says
Thanks Kat 🙂
Angela / Only Crumbs Remain says
This definitely looks like a winner to me too Cat – I love lemon flavoured bakes anyway and having used thyme a few times with lemon bakes myself I know how well they work together. Thankyou for sharing with #BakingCrumbs,
Angela x
Curly says
Thanks Angela, I can see myself making this time and time again! x