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Home » Recipes » Vegetable Desserts

Lemon and Cucumber Cake with Gin Icing

Published: Apr 29, 2016 · Modified: Feb 18, 2020 by Kate Hackworthy · 43 Comments

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pinnable image for cucumber cake and gin frosting

Cucumber Cake! This delicate green cucumber cake tastes like a lemon sponge with a subtle, refreshing flavour from the cucumber. It's a summery cake and I've topped it with a gin icing. The gin gives light botanical flavours to the sweet icing to compliment the lemon and cucumber in the cake.

A slice of Lemon and Cucumber Cake with Gin Icing taken from the cake, which is in the background

Cucumber Cake

Cucumber works fantastically well in cake. I should know, I've tried soooo many vegetable cakes for this blog!

Cucumber lends a cool and refreshing subtle flavour to the lemony sponge in this cake. You can just about taste it, but if you weren't looking for a cucumber flavour, you probably couldn't quite place it.

It's overpowered by the lemon, but it's there in the background. Cucumber makes it delicately green and beautifully moist.

Gin Icing

Gin icing is a dream. Choose your favourite gin to get all of those lovely botanical flavours shining through the sweet icing.

Strictly for grown ups, it works very well with the cucumber cake.

A piece of cake on a plate with a fork.

A Cucumber Cake to celebrate the blog's 3rd birthday 

My, how time flies. My blog has now turned three. A mere toddler, but at the same time all grown up. It can walk and it can talk, though it has many miles yet to run.

Happy birthday to my little space on the internet. You are more than my shadow, more than my heart, you are me.

Three years ago I was crushed by redundancy, like an anvil dropped on a cartoon me. But inspired by vegetables, I sat down at the computer and started a blog.

My hobby for creating desserts with vegetables was suddenly thrust out into the big wide (virtual) world. I had no plans for it, I just needed something to do. A project, a distraction.

A piece of cake on a table next to a cake on a cakestand.

Veggie Desserts

Three years later and this is my job. I've had the opportunity to develop recipes (like this awesome cucumber cake), create recipes for some fantastic brands and to try some amazing products.

There was a weekend in Paris, trips around the UK and I'm blogging at a festival in a few months. I've made new friends and bonded with souls that I've never met. This new community picked me up and dusted me off, and they don't even know it.

A huge highlight has been writing a monthly national magazine column about reducing food waste. I've been writing it for nearly a year now and I love opening my copy every month and seeing my work in print.

A cake on a stand sitting on top of a wooden table.

Baking

Those years ago, when I curled up and felt worthless, redundant and lost, I stared at the fork in the road, turned instead and went to the kitchen for a wooden spoon.

With kids at my feet I baked, blogged and poured my heart onto my keyboard time and again.

And then people started to read it. Honestly, that astounded me.

They baked my vegetable desserts, emailed me their results, asked me questions. Suddenly I wasn't alone, blogging merrily. You are all here with me. It's a party. Bring gin. Use it for a cucumber cake.

Vegetable Cake

I forget about you all most days. I write and blog and forget that you're all there. But then you write to me, comment, like and share.

You bake my kale cake and do crazy things with cauliflower. The legendary Nigella has even mentioned me. It all really does mean so much to me.

So thank you. Thank you for listening, reading, baking and commenting. Thanks for coming back to my site and making it possible for me to still do this. You're making me misty. Ahem. It's just a little something in my eye. *sniffle*.

Now, let's get drunk on a salad cake, shall we? Let's top it with gin and dance.

A Lemon and Cucumber Cake with Gin Icing on a vintage glass cake stand

Thanks for checking out my recipe! I love hearing from my readers; you all allow me to do what I love and write this UK food blog, sharing vegetarian and vegan recipes, vegetable cake recipes and also easy vegan desserts.
Leave a comment and star rating below and share a picture on social media with the hashtag #veggiedesserts.Follow me on Instagram > Twitter > Facebook > Pinterest > Youtube

Get the Cucumber Cake Recipe with Gin Frosting

Thanks for checking out my recipe! I love hearing from my readers. You all allow me to do what I love and write this UK food blog, sharing vegetarian and vegan recipes, vegetable cake recipes and also easy vegan desserts.
Kate x

📖 Recipe

A piece of cake sitting on top of a table in front of cake on a cake stand.

Lemon and Cucumber Cake with Gin Icing

Kate Hackworthy | Veggie Desserts
This delicate green cucumber cake tastes like a lemon sponge with a subtle, refreshing flavour from the cucumber. It’s a summery cake and I’ve topped it with a gin icing. The gin gives light botanical flavours to the sweet icing to compliment the lemon and cucumber in the cake.
4.96 from 22 votes
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Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Cook Time 30 minutes mins
Total Time 45 minutes mins
Course Dessert
Cuisine International
Servings 12
Calories 325 kcal

Ingredients
 

For the Lemon and Cucumber Cake:

  • 200 g cucumber (about half an English cucumber)
  • Zest and juice of half a lemon
  • ⅔ cup (150g) butter , softened
  • ¾ cup (150g) granulated sugar
  • 1½ teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 ¾ cups (200g) plain (all purpose) flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder

For the Gin Icing:

  • ⅓ cup (75g) butter, softened
  • 1 ½ cups (200g) powdered icing sugar (confectioner's sugar)
  • 1 tablespoon gin or substitute lemon juice

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 170C/325F. Lightly grease 2 x 7in cake tins, 3 x 6in tins, or one 9 inch round cake tin.
  • Wash and leave the skin on the cucumber and de-seed it by cutting it in half lengthways and scraping the seeds out with a teaspoon. Cut into chunks and puree until smooth. Stir in the lemon juice.
  • Cream the butter, lemon zest, sugar and vanilla together for a few minutes until light and fluffy.
  • Add the eggs, one at a time, beating each one in well.
  • Add the baking powder to the flour and mix. Into the wet ingredients, stir in ⅓ of the flour mixture, then gently mix in ⅓ of the cucumber and continue until it is all combined.
  • Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes or until an inserted skewer comes out clean (it will take less time for the three small tins and slightly longer for the larger 9in tin). Allow to cool for five minutes in the tin and turn out on a wire rack to cool completely before icing.

For the Gin Icing:

  • Beat the butter, icing sugar and gin together until smooth and fluffy. Keep in the fridge until ready to ice the cake. (To frost all the way around the cake, double the amount).

Nutrition

Calories: 325kcalCarbohydrates: 42gProtein: 2gFat: 16gSaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 67mgSodium: 146mgPotassium: 120mgSugar: 29gVitamin A: 520IUVitamin C: 0.5mgCalcium: 42mgIron: 1mg

The nutritional information provided is approximate and can vary depending on several factors, so is not guaranteed to be accurate. Please see a registered dietician for special diet advice.

Tried this recipe?Mention @kateveggiedesserts or tag #veggiedesserts! I love seeing your recreations.

 

 

 

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Comments

    4.96 from 22 votes (6 ratings without comment)

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Marilyn

    March 23, 2025 at 7:27 pm

    5 stars
    Just found your recipe and it is AMAZING! I've made it multiple times and everyone likes it so much, that my niece asked me to make this for her wedding cake!!

    Reply
    • Kate Hackworthy

      March 26, 2025 at 6:32 pm

      Oh wow! I hope she loves it as her wedding cake!

      Reply
  2. kathleen waslov

    September 26, 2023 at 9:23 pm

    Just finished making a 9" round pan version. I followed the directions precisely, measuring each ingredient by weight. Mine turned out a bit WET after 35 minutes of baking at 325 F. It tastes great but not so pretty.
    I plan to repeat and drain the cukes and/or cook longer. Also I may double the recipe in order to get 2 layers. This recipe would make a good 2-3 layer cake but only if each layer is 5, 6, or 7 inch pans.

    Reply
    • Stephanie

      September 27, 2023 at 1:17 pm

      5 stars
      This was such a cool cake! I made them for a brunch and served it with G&Ts!

      Reply
    • Sammy Tam

      April 27, 2024 at 1:38 pm

      5 stars
      So fluffy and had a great fresh subtle cucumber flavor - in a good way!

      Reply
  3. Sara

    September 15, 2023 at 2:57 am

    5 stars
    I ended up making this recipe into mini cupcakes. It was for a social gathering where everyone was supposed to bring something made with cucumbers. I was the only person who brought a dessert and it was a huge hit. It was also a big hit with all of my neighbors! The flavors are light and are even better the next day.I would definitely make this again! Looking forward to trying more of your recipes. One more thing…I used the gin to make the icing and only needed a half recipe for the cupcakes.
    Thank you!

    Reply
  4. Kate

    January 05, 2023 at 7:59 pm

    This recipient looks amazing!! Looking forward to making this for my brothers birthday! Question, can you use lemon gin in the buttercream?

    Reply
    • Kate Hackworthy

      January 06, 2023 at 12:54 pm

      Yes, any gin will work!

      Reply
  5. Kim

    September 13, 2022 at 10:16 pm

    I really want to try this.
    It says half an English cucumber. I have several cucumbers from my garden.
    Can you use regular cucumbers if you remove the seeds.

    Reply
    • Kate Hackworthy

      September 16, 2022 at 9:20 am

      Hi, that is absolutely fine. If it's very large, use a little less than half the cucumber.

      Reply
  6. Lauren

    August 03, 2022 at 11:37 am

    5 stars
    This recipe sounds great, just wondered if anyone has tried substituting the sugar for something like maple syrup? Or would that not work?

    Reply
  7. Diana Torres

    July 15, 2021 at 4:36 pm

    5 stars
    Cucumber cake is delicious!

    Reply
  8. steve

    August 31, 2019 at 3:54 pm

    5 stars
    Wow who has ever thought of such kind of a recipie ... cucumber cake!!.I tried out this recipie and it worked out for me and this was an out standing recipie. I always wait for your recipies as they are so tempting and easy to make.

    Reply
  9. Mary Bostow

    September 03, 2018 at 3:26 pm

    5 stars
    Wow, this is stunning! I want to try it out! This recipe really impresses! I really like! Thank you.

    Reply
  10. Dahn

    September 03, 2018 at 3:17 pm

    What a super unique flavor! I love the gin icing with the cake. It's like an adult drink baked up in a cake. WOW

    Reply
  11. Catherine Brown

    September 03, 2018 at 3:09 pm

    5 stars
    Wow, this looks and sounds fantastic! I love lemon and cucumber together, but never, ever considered using them together in a cake! I like the subtle shade of green and minimal frosting. So glad I found your site!

    Reply
  12. Lauren Vavala @ DeliciousLittleBites

    September 03, 2018 at 3:07 pm

    5 stars
    What an interesting combination of flavors for a cake! So unique and creative!

    Reply
  13. Lisa | Garlic & Zest

    September 03, 2018 at 3:05 pm

    5 stars
    I love the pale color of this cake and the subtle flavors. I don't think you used enough gin to make this an "adults only" cake -- but I can see the logic of being able to hoard it all for the grown-ups and not share with the kids... LOL!

    Reply
  14. Denise

    September 03, 2018 at 2:38 pm

    5 stars
    Never thought of using cucumber in a cake! But that cake looks so moist and delicious! Great recipe!

    Reply
  15. Donna

    August 10, 2018 at 6:21 pm

    5 stars
    Wow, I have to say I have never heard of a cucumber cake or a gin icing but my goodness I want to try this! Those flavors just match perfectly, and I bet this tastes just like a little slice of summer! Such creativity, can't wait to try this out

    Reply
  16. Nellie Tracy

    August 10, 2018 at 4:37 pm

    5 stars
    I am a huge fan of any kind of lemon cake so I am very excited to try this awesome new recipe!

    Reply
  17. JC

    May 21, 2018 at 12:34 am

    4 stars
    I made this today - minus the frosting (no gin!). I thought the flavor was really nice. It has a nice light flavor. A perfect summer cake!

    Reply
    • Kate Hackworthy

      May 21, 2018 at 9:54 am

      I'm glad you enjoyed the cake!

      Reply
  18. Felicia

    July 02, 2017 at 5:56 pm

    I finally made this a couple months ago, and loved it so much! It was easy to make, and a real hit at my party: people thought it was refreshing, tasty and reminded them of a cocktail.

    I put my take on the recipe up on my blog today. Thanks for this awesome recipe!

    Reply
  19. Vivabop

    October 20, 2016 at 12:06 am

    The title mentioned 3 magic words lemon, gin and cake so I just had to find out more! Adding the cucumber is very novel and I am sure I can convince myself that this cake represents 2 of my 5 a day! Well done on reaching 3 years and best wishes for a lifetime of success and happiness!

    Reply
  20. Kate

    August 26, 2016 at 3:26 am

    I have a bumper crop of cucumbers and am making all things cucumber these days. I served this cake tonight. It was a hit. I would definitely make it again. I added gin & lemon juice & lemon rind to the icing. Deelish!

    Reply
    • Kate Hackworthy

      August 26, 2016 at 2:02 pm

      I'm so glad that you liked it!! We love it here as well. Your tweaks to the icing sound fantastic. Thanks for coming back to comment! Kx

      Reply
  21. Chris @thinlyspread

    May 10, 2016 at 10:11 am

    This just sings SUMMER! Cucumber AND gin, what's not to love?! And it looks so beautiful too, clever lady!

    Reply
  22. Jemma @ Celery and Cupcakes

    May 10, 2016 at 9:00 am

    I used courgette in a cake recipe recently and it added a lovely moistness rather than taste. I can imagine the cucumber having exactly the same effect, lovely!

    Reply
  23. Cathy @ Planet Veggie

    May 09, 2016 at 5:43 pm

    Aw, what a wonderful story! I'm not a great cake lover but this sounds light and refreshing and too intriguing not to give a go.

    Reply
  24. Aimee

    May 09, 2016 at 3:33 pm

    Such a beautiful cake! I need gin icing in my life <3

    Reply
  25. Scott

    May 09, 2016 at 3:21 pm

    I can honestly say I've never had cucumber in a cake. It certainly sounds refreshing though!

    Reply
  26. Sam | Ahead of Thyme

    May 09, 2016 at 3:49 am

    Yummy this cake looks so pretty and delicious!! Wish I could try some right now...

    Reply
  27. Mica @ Let's Taco Bout It Blog

    May 09, 2016 at 3:15 am

    I am fascinated with your blog and so very jealous of your adventures! Our goal is to turn our blog into our day jobs. As for the recipe, I like the taste of cucumber and lemon together in a cake. From first glance, this cake looks like a sugar rush all the way through, but obviously it's not.. I plan to give this recipe a shot! Thanks for the share. Mca

    Reply
  28. jacqueline | i sugar coat it!

    May 09, 2016 at 1:26 am

    Vegetables and booze...sign me up!! Congrats on all you have accomplished in the last three years!!

    Reply
  29. Claire @foodiequine

    May 08, 2016 at 11:19 pm

    I am all over the concept of Gin icing! As for cucumber in a cake - that makes it a salad - yes?!

    Reply
  30. Peter Block

    May 08, 2016 at 10:41 pm

    Happy blog birthday. I have not gotten into the veggie desserts yet. Really interesting combo of flavors. I really like the layered look of the cake.

    Reply
  31. Nayna Kanabar

    May 08, 2016 at 10:20 pm

    I would have never thought to add cucumber to a cake, what afab idea.

    Reply
    • Angela

      July 29, 2021 at 5:09 pm

      Can this be made as cupcakes? Either way excited to try!

      Reply
      • Vlanana

        April 02, 2023 at 7:14 pm

        5 stars
        Such a fun cake! Tasted really good. I didn't use gin in the forsting though. BUt still soo good!

        Reply
  32. Emma @ Supper in the Suburbs

    May 08, 2016 at 8:50 pm

    Happy third blog birthday 🙂 you have a wonderful slice of the Internet all to yourself which you should be very proud of! This cake looks like the perfect way to celebrate. I've never had cucumber in cake before but if courgette works I don't see why cucumber won't 🙂 great post!

    Reply
  33. Christine | Vermilion Roots

    May 04, 2016 at 5:12 am

    Vegetables inspire me too, and I'm really loving your site for all the creative recipes. Happy blog birthday! That's such a perfect cake for this special occasion. I'm going to tell everyone about it! 🙂

    Reply
  34. Shu

    May 03, 2016 at 11:47 am

    Never thought of using cucumber in a cake. Fascinating! Saw this link on Ren's blog and had to click! Will hopefully try this out soon 🙂

    Reply

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Hi, I'm Kate, a journalist, author and multi-award-winning food blogger. Here you'll find vegetarian recipes and vegan recipes celebrating vegetables, from dinner to dessert! If you love vegetables, you've come to the right place. About Me

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