Lemon Loaf Cake with Lemon Glaze (2024)

This light Lemon Loaf Cake drizzled with a sweet and tart lemon glaze has a tender buttery crumb and is full of bright citrus flavor. This easy loaf of quick bread is perfect for breakfast, a snack and even dessert.

If you are wondering what to make with a bunch of lemons, this Lemon Blueberry Cake and my grab and go Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins are some of our favorite lemon recipes!

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I love lemon, probably more than I love chocolate. Lemon desserts, lemon breads, sweet and savory lemon recipes, they are all my weakness (equally delicious).

The Perfect Lemon Loaf Cake

My love for everything lemon is so strong that I used to stop at Starbucks on my way to work every morning but instead of getting a latte, I would just order a slice (or two) of their delicious lemon loaf.

Starbucks lemon loaf is moist, dense and buttery without being greasy. Their lemon pound cake is bursting with lemon flavor and has the right amount of sweetness. I knew I could make an equally delicious loaf cake at home after all, there is nothing quite like a loaf of homemade bread coming out of the oven and as an added bonus, no more trips to Starbucks and one less expense to budget for!

Lemon Loaf Recipe Ingredients

Flour: I use all-purpose flour to make this lemon pound cake recipe.
Sugar: Granulated sugar.
Eggs: I use large eggs at room temperature.
Butter: I use unsalted butter at room temperature. Room temperature ingredients bond together easily that produces uniform texture throughout the lemon loaf.
Baking Powder: Used as leavening. Many people have asked if I use both baking powder and baking soda for this recipe. The answer is no. Baking soda is commonly used in baked goods that contain an acidic ingredient like buttermilk in the batter. However, not all recipes with an acidic ingredient need baking soda. This recipe has been tested and tried with baking powder only. The loaf you see in this photo was made with baking powder only. As you can see, it works.
Lemons: Fresh lemon juice is the only option! Nothing quite compares to the flavor of fresh lemon juice. You’ll also need quite a bit of lemon zest.
Vanilla and Salt: Both are use for flavoring. I use Kosher salt or sea salt for baking but table salt can also be used.
Buttermilk: At room temperature. Buttermilk produces and incredible moist loaf cake.

Lemon Syrup and Lemon Glaze Ingredients

Confectioners’ Sugar
Lemon Juice

How To Make This Lemon Loaf Recipe from Scratch

Preheat the oven and grease a loaf pan. You can use an 8×4 inch or 9×5 inch loaf pan.
Combine the flour, baking powder, lemon zest, and salt in a mixing bowl.
In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or with an electric mixer), beat the butter and sugar together until fluffy.
With the mixer on low-speed, add the eggs one at a time, add the vanilla extract and lemon juice. Beat on medium-high speed until combined.
With the mixer on low, add the flour and buttermilk mixtures alternately to the batter, beginning and ending with the flour.
Put the batter into the prepared loaf pan and bake until the cake is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the cake comes out clean with only a few moist crumbs.
Remove from the oven and allow to cool in the pan for about 15 minutes.
Prepare the lemon syrup by combining together the confectioners’ sugar and lemon juice. Set aside.
Remove the lemon loaf from the pan and set it on a rack. Brush the syrup over the lemon cake while warm.
Make the icing by whisking together the confectioners’ sugar, lemon juice and milk. Add additional juice if needed.The icing should be thick.
When the loaf is completely cool, pour the icing over the loaf.

Is This A Starbucks Copycat Lemon Loaf Recipe?

This Lemon loaf cake is much better than Starbucks lemon pound cake! This lemon cake recipe is moist, tender, rich, citrusy and wonderful!

Lemon Pound Cake Glaze

The icing drizzled over the top of this lemon quick bread adds another layer of flavor that compliments the smooth tender cake. Sweet, tart and thick, I always like to save the best for last!

Add additional lemon juice or confectioners’ sugar to reach the right consistency. This lemon icing is a bit thick but you should still be able to drizzle it over the loaf. in other words, its not like cake icing that you need to spread with a spatula.

Make Ahead And Freezing Instructions

I prefer freezing the lemon loaf cake without the icing. Cool the loaf completely and wrap it tightly. You can place the loaf in an airtight container or a freezer safe resealable bag and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and bring to room temperature before glazing or serving.

You can store leftovers covered at room temperature for 2-3days or in the refrigerator for about a week.

Lemon Loaf Recipe Tips

Cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
If you don’t have buttermilk, you can make your own by mixing 1/2 cup of milk with 1 1/2 teaspoons of white vinegar or lemon juice.
Use room temperature ingredients. Room temperature ingredients bind together easily producing a uniform texture throughout the cake.

Are you wondering what can you make with a bunch of lemons? Here are a few lemon recipes for you:

Lemon Ricotta Cookies
Lemon Poke Cake
Lemon Drop Martini
Pasta with Asparagus in Lemon Cream Sauce
Greek Lemon Roasted Chicken Thighs

Recipe adapted from Plated Cravings

Lemon Loaf Cake

By: Chef Kathy McDaniel

4.16 from 45 reviews

Servings: 10 servings

Prep: 10 minutes mins

Cook: 45 minutes mins

Total: 55 minutes mins

Ingredients

▢ 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
▢ 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
▢ 1 tablespoon lemon zest
▢ 1/2 teaspoon salt
▢ 1/2 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
▢ 1 cup granulated sugar
▢ 2 large eggs at room temperature
▢ 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
▢ 2 tablespoons lemon juice
▢ 1/2 cup buttermilk

For the Lemon Syrup

▢ 1/4 cup confectioners’ sugar
▢ 3 tablespoon lemon juice

For the Glaze

▢ 1 cup confectioners’ sugar, sifted (more if needed to reach the right consistency)
▢ 1 tablespoon lemon juice (more if needed to reach the right consistency)
▢ 1 tablespoon milk

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350F degrees Fahrenheit. Grease an (8×4 inch or 9×5 inch) loaf pan with cooking spray
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, lemon zest, and salt. Set aside.
In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or with an electric mixer), beat the butter and sugar together until fluffy and pale, about 4-6 minutes. With a spatula, scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed.   With the mixer on low-speed, add the eggs one at a time, add the vanilla extract and lemon juice. Beat on medium-high speed until combined.   With the mixer on low, add the flour and buttermilk alternately to the batter, beginning and ending with the flour.
Put the batter into the prepared loaf pan and bake for 45-55 minutes until the cake is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the cake comes out clean with only a few moist crumbs.
Remove from the oven and allow to cool in the pan for about 15 minutes.
Prepare the lemon syrup by combining together the confectioners’ sugar and lemon juice. Set aside.
Remove the lemon loaf from the pan and set it on a rack. Brush the syrup over the loaf while warm.
Make the icing by whisking together the confectioners’ sugar, lemon juice and milk. Add additional juice, if needed. The icing should be thick.
When the loaf is completely cool, pour the icing over the loaf.

Did you make this?I love seeing what you’ve made! Tag me on Instagram @lemonblossomsblog and don’t forget to leave a comment & rating below!

Recipe Notes

Cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
If you don’t have buttermilk, you can make your own by mixing 1/2 cup of milk with 1 1/2 teaspoons of white vinegar or lemon juice.
Use room temperature ingredients. Room temperature ingredients bind together easily producing a uniform texture throughout the cake.
Recipe adapted from Plated Cravings.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts

Lemon Loaf Cake

Amount Per Serving

Calories 300Calories from Fat 99

% Daily Value*

Fat 11g17%

Saturated Fat 6g38%

Trans Fat 1g

Cholesterol 59mg20%

Sodium 145mg6%

Potassium 131mg4%

Carbohydrates 48g16%

Fiber 1g4%

Sugar 33g37%

Protein 4g8%

Vitamin A 355IU7%

Vitamin C 7mg8%

Calcium 54mg5%

Iron 1mg6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Course: Breakfast, Dessert, Snack