This Moist Lemon Loaf with Sweet Glaze is a delightful treat for lemon lovers! Bursting with fresh lemon flavor and topped with a tangy-sweet glaze, this cake is soft, buttery, and incredibly moist. It’s perfect for breakfast, an afternoon snack, or a light dessert. If you enjoy Starbucks’ famous lemon loaf, this homemade version will blow you away—plus, it’s made with simple ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen.
Ingredients
For the Lemon Loaf:
- 1 ½ cups (190g) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup (170g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup (120ml) sour cream (or Greek yogurt)
- ¼ cup (60ml) fresh lemon juice
- Zest of 2 lemons
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Sweet Lemon Glaze:
- 1 cup (120g) powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon heavy cream (or milk)
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat & Prepare the Pan
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan and line it with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
Step 3: Cream Butter & Sugar
In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter and sugar together with an electric mixer until light and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes).
Step 4: Add Eggs & Wet Ingredients
- Beat in the eggs, one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next.
- Mix in the sour cream (or Greek yogurt), lemon juice, lemon zest, and vanilla extract. The batter may look slightly curdled, but that’s okay!
Step 5: Combine Wet & Dry Ingredients
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing gently with a spatula or on low speed until just combined. Avoid overmixing, as this can make the loaf dense instead of soft.
Step 6: Bake the Lemon Loaf
Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top. Bake for 45-55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
👉 Tip: If the top starts to brown too quickly, loosely cover the loaf with aluminum foil for the last 10-15 minutes of baking.
Step 7: Cool the Loaf
Let the lemon loaf cool in the pan for about 15 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before adding the glaze.
Making the Sweet Lemon Glaze
- In a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, lemon juice, and heavy cream (or milk) until smooth.
- Drizzle the glaze over the completely cooled lemon loaf.
- Let it set for 10-15 minutes before slicing and serving.
Serving Suggestions
- Enjoy a slice with a hot cup of tea or coffee.
- Serve it as a light dessert with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
- Add fresh berries on the side for an extra refreshing touch.
Calories & Nutritional Info (Per Slice, Approximate)
- Calories: ~290
- Carbs: 40g
- Fat: 13g
- Protein: 4g
- Sugar: 27g
Tips for the Best Lemon Loaf
✔ Use Fresh Lemons – Freshly squeezed lemon juice and zest give the best flavor. Avoid bottled lemon juice!
✔ Don’t Overmix the Batter – Mix until just combined to keep the loaf light and soft.
✔ Let It Cool Before Adding Glaze – If the loaf is too warm, the glaze will melt and become too runny.
✔ For Extra Moisture – Brush the loaf with a simple lemon syrup (2 tbsp sugar + 2 tbsp lemon juice) before adding the glaze.
This Moist Lemon Loaf with Sweet Glaze is easy to make and tastes even better the next day! Try it once, and it’ll become your go-to lemon treat. 🍋✨