Lemon Loaf Cake

This lemon loaf cake is great for breakfast, dessert and even snack. It stays well for days if covered and requires only 15 minutes of prep. 

Fresh lemon adds the best flavor. This loaf cake is made using fresh lemons and a few basic baking ingredients. Drizzle the loaf with lemon glaze for even more lemon flavor. The cake is perfect for any time of the year. Kids and adults love it!

How to make lemon loaf cake

1. Prepare the cake batter. Use fresh lemon zest and lemon juice. Do not over mix the batter. You want to stir until just incorporated.
2. Transfer the batter to a prepared 9 x 5 loaf pan.
3. Bake at 325 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 minutes, then rotate the pan and continue baking for 30 to 35 minutes. A toothpick inserted into the center should come out clean.
4. Allow the cake to cool for at least 15 minutes.
5. Prepare the lemon glaze and drizzle over the loaf.

Tips for making loaf cake

• Use any type of lemons for this cake. We love using Meyer lemons because they are packed with flavor and a little on the sweeter side. Because they are sweeter, we cut back on the sugar. If using Meyer lemons, we use 3/4 cup granulated sugar.
• You can use all purpose flour instead of cake flour. Or use a homemade cake flour substitute. The cake flour helps create a light and fluffy consistency so we recommend it, if possible.
• You can use a gluten free one to one flour instead to make it gluten free.
• Do not over mix the batter. Mix until just incorporated.
• Store the loaf covered at room temperature for up to 3 days. Tin foil or a sealed bread box works great for storage.
• To freeze the loaf, ensure the loaf is completely cool and wrap it in plastic wrap.Then wrap in tin foil and store in a freezer safe bag in the freezer for up to 4 months. Make the glaze and drizzle just prior to serving. Do not freeze with the glaze.

Best lemon recipes

• Lemon Cheesecake Bars
• Lemon Tea Cookies
• Creamy Lemon Chicken Pasta
• Lemon Garlic Asparagus
• Lemon Garlic Shrimp
• Baked Lemon Pepper Chicken Drumsticks

If you love Starbucks lemon loaf or anything lemon then you will love this tasty loaf cake. Prep is easy and it lasts for a few days. Try it and let us know what you think!

5 from 6 votes

Lemon Loaf Cake

By Spoonful of Flavor

This loaf cake is great for breakfast, dessert and even just a quick snack. It stays well for days if covered.

Prep: 10 minutes mins

Cook: 50 minutes mins

Cooling Time: 15 minutes mins

Total: 1 hour hr

Servings: 12 servings

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Ingredients 

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For the cake:

• ▢ 3/4 cup cake flour
• ▢ 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• ▢ 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ▢ 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• ▢ 1/2 teaspoon salt
• ▢ 1 cup plus 2 tablespoon granulated sugar
• ▢ 4 eggs, at room temperature
• ▢ 2 tablespoons grated lemon zest, about 1 to 2 lemons
• ▢ 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
• ▢ 8 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled, (1 stick)
• ▢ 1/4 cup sour cream
• ▢ 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the glaze:

• ▢ 1 cup confectioners' sugar
• ▢ 2 to 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice

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Instructions 

To make the loaf:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter the sides and bottom of a 9 x 5-inch loaf pan. Dust with flour and set aside.
• In a medium bowl, combine the flours, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Whisk and set aside. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, combine the sugar, eggs, lemon zest and lemon juice. With the mixer on low speed, mix in the melted butter. Add half of the dry ingredients just until incorporated. Beat in the sour cream and vanilla until combined. Mix in the remaining dry ingredient just until incorporated.
• Transfer the batter to the prepared pan. Bake 20 minutes, then rotate pan and reduce the oven temperature to 325 degrees F. Continue baking 30 to 35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool in the pan for at least 15 minutes.

For the glaze:

• When the cake is completely cool, combine the confectioners' sugar and lemon juice in a small bowl and whisk to blend until smooth. Drizzle the glaze over the top of the loaf. Let stand briefly until the glaze hardens. Slice and serve.

Notes

• Cover the loaf and store at room temperature for up to 3 days. 

Nutrition

Serving: 0g, Calories: 327kcal, Carbohydrates: 39g, Protein: 4g, Fat: 18g, Saturated Fat: 11g, Cholesterol: 97mg, Sodium: 148mg, Potassium: 81mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 27g, Vitamin A: 576IU, Vitamin C: 3mg, Calcium: 36mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Breakfast, Dessert

Cuisine: American

Tried this recipe?Mention @spoonfulflavor or tag #spoonfulflavor!

Recipe originally published December 2013 and updated June 2020. The recipe was adapted from Cooks Like a Champion, originally from the New Frontiers in Baking.