Bright Lemon Loaf (Printable)
Moist, zesty lemon loaf with tangy citrus glaze for afternoon tea or dessert.
# What You'll Need:
→ For the Lemon Loaf
01 - 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 teaspoon baking powder
03 - 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
04 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
05 - 1 cup granulated sugar
06 - Zest of 2 lemons
07 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
08 - 2 large eggs, room temperature
09 - 1/2 cup whole milk
10 - 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
11 - 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
→ For the Lemon Glaze
12 - 1 cup powdered sugar, sifted
13 - 2-3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
# How to Make It:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9x5-inch loaf pan and line with parchment paper.
02 - Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl. Set aside.
03 - Combine sugar and lemon zest in a large bowl. Rub the zest into the sugar using your fingers until fragrant and slightly damp.
04 - Add softened butter to the lemon sugar mixture. Beat with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, approximately 2-3 minutes.
05 - Beat in eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition.
06 - Mix in vanilla extract and lemon juice until well combined.
07 - Add half of the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing gently. Pour in the milk, then add remaining dry ingredients. Mix just until combined; avoid overmixing.
08 - Pour batter into prepared loaf pan and smooth the top. Bake for 45-50 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
09 - Remove from oven and let cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
10 - Whisk powdered sugar with enough lemon juice to achieve a thick but pourable consistency.
11 - Drizzle the glaze over the cooled loaf. Allow to set before slicing and serving.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- The texture is incredibly moist, staying fresh for days while the glaze adds that perfect sweet-tart finish
- Its the kind of recipe that makes your whole house smell welcoming before you even pull it from the oven
02 -
- Room temperature ingredients mix together more smoothly, creating a more even texture in the finished cake
- Overmixing once the flour is added will make the loaf tough, so fold gently and stop as soon as everything is combined
03 -
- Microplane zest releases more flavor than a regular grater, so use one if you have it
- Letting the sugar and zest sit together for 10 minutes before creaming creates an even more intense lemon flavor throughout the cake