Description
This Easy Lemon Loaf is the perfect balance of tangy, sweet, and buttery. Moist, flavorful, and simple to make, it’s a delightful treat for breakfast, dessert, or a sweet snack. With a zesty lemon glaze on top, this loaf is bursting with refreshing citrus flavor in every bite! It’s a wonderful recipe to make for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
- For the Lemon Loaf:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 2 tablespoons lemon zest (about 2 lemons)
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice (about 1–2 lemons)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- For the Lemon Glaze:
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (more if needed)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×5-inch loaf pan, or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
- Mix the Dry Ingredients:
- In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- Prepare the Lemon Loaf Batter:
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract, lemon zest, and fresh lemon juice.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the milk, beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Mix until just combined; be careful not to overmix.
- Bake the Lemon Loaf:
- Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
- Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean or with just a few crumbs attached.
- Let the loaf cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then remove it from the pan and transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Prepare the Lemon Glaze:
- In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and lemon juice until smooth. If the glaze is too thick, add more lemon juice, a little at a time, to reach your desired consistency.
- Glaze the Lemon Loaf:
- Once the loaf is fully cooled, drizzle the lemon glaze over the top of the loaf, allowing it to drip down the sides.
- Serve:
- Slice and enjoy your moist, tangy lemon loaf!
Notes
- Lemon Variations: If you love a stronger lemon flavor, you can add more lemon zest or a little extra lemon juice to the batter or glaze.
- Storage: Store the lemon loaf in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. It can also be frozen for up to 2 months; just wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and foil before freezing.
- Add-ins: For extra texture, try adding poppy seeds to the batter for a traditional lemon poppy seed loaf.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 50-60 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 100mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 29g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 45mg