Description
A tender, moist lemon cake loaf bursting with fresh citrus flavor, topped with a sweet-tart glaze for the perfect balance of brightness and sweetness.
Ingredients
- All-Purpose Flour: 1 ½ cups, provides the structure.
- Baking Powder: 1 ½ teaspoons, helps the loaf rise.
- Salt: ¼ teaspoon, balances sweetness and enhances flavor.
- Unsalted Butter: ½ cup (softened), adds richness and tenderness.
- Granulated Sugar: 1 cup, sweetens and helps with moisture.
- Large Eggs: 2, bind the ingredients together.
- Whole Milk: ½ cup, keeps the crumb moist.
- Fresh Lemon Juice: 2 tablespoons, delivers bright citrus flavor.
- Lemon Zest: 1 tablespoon, adds aromatic oils for depth.
- Vanilla Extract: 1 teaspoon, rounds out the flavor.
- Powdered Sugar: 1 cup (for glaze), adds a sweet, smooth finish.
- Fresh Lemon Juice (for glaze): 2–3 tablespoons, creates a tangy topping.
Instructions
- Preheat Your Equipment: Set oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan.
- Combine Ingredients: In one bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and salt. In another, cream butter and sugar until light, then beat in eggs, lemon juice, zest, and vanilla. Add dry mixture alternately with milk until smooth.
- Prepare Your Cooking Vessel: Pour batter evenly into the greased loaf pan, smoothing the top.
- Assemble the Dish: Ensure batter is evenly spread for consistent baking.
- Cook to Perfection: Bake for 50–55 minutes or until a skewer comes out clean.
- Finishing Touches: Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a rack. Whisk powdered sugar with lemon juice for glaze and drizzle over cooled loaf.
- Serve and Enjoy: Slice thickly and savor each citrus-kissed bite.
Notes
- Always zest lemons before juicing for maximum flavor.
- For a stronger lemon punch, add an extra tablespoon of zest.
- Store in an airtight container to keep the loaf fresh for days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 27g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
Keywords: lemon cake loaf, citrus dessert, lemon loaf recipe, moist lemon cake, easy lemon bread