Grease and flour a 13x9 inch baking pan.
Cream butter and sugar in a mixer until light and fluffy.
Add syrup and eggs to creamed mixture and mix in well.
Sift baking soda into buttermilk.
Alternately add flour mixture and buttermilk into creamed mixture mixing well after each addition. Begin and end with flour.
Add vanilla and lemon extract. Stir.
Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 50 minutes or until inserted toothpick comes out clean.
Dust with powdered sugar or serve with whipped cream and chopped pecans.