Description
Starbucks-inspired lemon loaf delivers a tangy, sweet slice of sunshine that transports palates to citrus bliss. Moist crumb and zesty glaze promise a delightful treat you’ll savor with each heavenly bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
- ½ cup vegetable oil
Leavening and Seasoning Ingredients:
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 2 tablespoons lemon zest (from about 2 lemons)
- ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon lemon extract
Glaze Ingredients:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2–3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon lemon zest (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350F (175C), meticulously preparing a 9×5-inch loaf pan with a parchment paper lining to ensure effortless cake removal.
- In a medium mixing vessel, thoroughly combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt using a whisk, creating a uniform dry ingredient blend.
- Transition to a spacious mixing bowl, vigorously whisking eggs, sugar, sour cream, oil, and melted butter until achieving a silky, homogeneous liquid mixture.
- Infuse the wet ingredients with bright citrus notes by incorporating lemon zest, fresh lemon juice, vanilla extract, and lemon extract, stirring until harmoniously integrated.
- Gently fold the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, using delicate strokes to prevent overmixing and maintain the batter’s light texture.
- Transfer the luminous batter into the prepared loaf pan, smoothing the surface with a spatula to create an even distribution.
- Position the pan in the preheated oven, baking for 45-50 minutes until a inserted toothpick emerges clean and the top develops a golden-brown hue.
- Allow the loaf to rest in the pan for 10 minutes, then carefully transfer to a wire cooling rack for complete temperature reduction.
- Craft a vibrant lemon glaze by whisking powdered sugar with lemon juice, adjusting liquid quantity to achieve the perfect drizzling consistency.
- Once the loaf has cooled entirely, generously cascade the tangy glaze across the surface, optionally garnishing with delicate lemon zest for visual appeal and enhanced citrus flavor.
Notes
- Choose room temperature ingredients for smoother mixing and better cake texture.
- Use fresh lemons for maximum zesty flavor and bright citrus notes.
- Avoid overmixing the batter to prevent a tough, dense loaf; mix just until ingredients are combined.
- Customize the glaze consistency by adding more powdered sugar for thickness or more lemon juice for a thinner drizzle.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 30 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 54 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg