The Best Lemon Loaf Recipe
If you love the tangy-sweet, moist, and perfectly glazed lemon loaf from Starbucks, you’re in for a treat! This homemade lemon loaf recipe is easy to make, bursting with fresh citrus flavor, and perfect for breakfast, dessert, or an afternoon snack. Skip the coffee shop lines and enjoy this bakery-quality lemon loaf right in your kitchen!
Ingredients
For the Lemon Loaf:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- ½ cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
- ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Lemon Glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
Instructions
- Prepare Your Baking Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a standard loaf pan and line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- Blend Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, beat together sugar and eggs until light and creamy. Gradually mix in oil, sour cream, lemon juice, lemon zest, and vanilla extract until well combined.
- Combine & Bake: Slowly fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, stirring until just combined—do not overmix! Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top.
- Bake to Perfection: Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow the loaf to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Prepare the Glaze & Drizzle: Whisk together powdered sugar, lemon juice, and lemon zest until smooth. Drizzle over the cooled lemon loaf and let it set before slicing.
Notes
- For extra lemon flavor, you can add an additional 1/2 tsp of lemon extract or more lemon zest to the batter.
- Store the loaf in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to 1 week.