### Instructions
#### For the Cake:
1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking dish.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt.
3. In a separate medium bowl, cream together the softened butter and eggs until light and fluffy.
4. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the milk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined – do not overmix.
5. Fold in the lemon zest and lemon juice until evenly distributed.
6. Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and spread evenly.
7. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. The cake should be golden brown and springy to the touch.
8. Let the cake cool completely in the baking dish on a wire rack before glazing.
#### For the Zesty Glaze:
1. In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and 3 tablespoons of lemon juice until smooth.
2. If the glaze is too thick, add more lemon juice, ½ teaspoon at a time, until you reach your desired drizzling consistency.
3. Once the cake has cooled completely, evenly drizzle the glaze over the top.
4. Allow the glaze to set for about 10-15 minutes before serving.
### Short Tips
* **Don’t overmix the batter!** Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, which can lead to a tough cake.
* **Use fresh lemon juice and zest.** Store-bought lemon juice won’t give you the same vibrant flavor.
* **Zest first, then juice.** It’s much easier to zest a whole lemon than a juiced one!
* **Cool completely before glazing.** Glazing a warm cake will cause the glaze to melt and become runny.
* **Leftovers?** Store any leftover cake covered at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. It’s often even better the next day!
* **For an extra “pudding” layer:** Some variations involve pouring a hot lemon syrup over the baked cake while it’s still warm. This creates an even more pronounced “pudding” texture at the bottom. Experiment if you’re feeling adventurous!
