Skip the line and bake your own Starbucks-worthy lemon loaf! This easy recipe uses simple ingredients and a secret weapon: fresh lemon. Perfect for breakfast, snacks, or dessert!
Prep Time15 minutesmins
Cook Time1 hourhr
Total Time1 hourhr15 minutesmins
Servings: 9
Ingredients
1lemon
1 1/2cupsflour
1teaspoonbaking powder
1/2teaspoonbaking soda
1/2teaspoonsalt
1/2cupbuttersoftened
1cupgranulated sugar
3eggs
1teaspoonlemon extract
1/2cupsour cream
For the Glaze
1cuppowdered sugar
1tablespoonlemon juice
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and grease a loaf pan with nonstick cooking spray.
Zest and juice the lemon to obtain one tablespoon of zest and two tablespoons of juice. Set 1 tablespoon of the lemon juice aside for the glaze.
1 lemon
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
In a separate bowl, use an electric mixer on medium speed to beat the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.
1/2 cup butter, 1 cup granulated sugar
Add the eggs, one at a time, beating between each addition.
3 eggs
Add the lemon extract, zest, one tablespoon of lemon juice, and sour cream. Beat to mix.
1 teaspoon lemon extract, 1/2 cup sour cream
Mix the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just combined.
Spread the batter into the prepared loaf pan and bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Allow the loaf to cool completely in the pan, then remove.
Make the glaze by whisking the powdered sugar and lemon juice, which you set aside in step 2, until smooth. Spread the glaze over the top of the loaf and allow it to set and harden before slicing.
1 cup powdered sugar, 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Notes
If you don't have a fresh lemon, you can eliminate the lemon zest and use bottled lemon juice.
Always zest your lemon before juicing; it's way easier, and you won't end up wrestling with a squishy lemon.
When mixing your dry ingredients with the wet ingredients, be sure not to overmix. Stir until the flour is just mixed in.