Description
This Easy Lemon Loaf recipe delivers a moist, tender crumb bursting with fresh lemon flavor, topped with a sweet and tangy lemon glaze. It’s a simple yet impressive dessert or snack perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 large eggs
- ¼ cup sour cream
- ¼ cup milk
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1 – 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (for glaze)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan or line it with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
- Stir in the sour cream, milk, fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, and vanilla extract.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, folding gently until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top.
- Bake for 45–55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let the loaf cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Whisk together the powdered sugar and 1–2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice until smooth. Drizzle over the cooled loaf.
Notes
- For extra lemon flavor, brush the warm loaf with a syrup made from simmering equal parts sugar and lemon juice.
- Optional additions include folding in poppy seeds or blueberries into the batter before baking.
- Store the loaf in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 21g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 37g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 65mg