Description
A moist and zesty lemon loaf cake topped with a tangy lemon glaze. This easy recipe is perfect for dessert or a sweet snack with tea.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 2 tablespoons lemon zest
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup powdered sugar (for glaze)
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice (for glaze)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 9×5-inch loaf pan with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then add lemon zest and lemon juice.
- Alternately add the flour mixture and milk to the wet ingredients, beginning and ending with the flour. Mix until just combined.
- Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top. Bake for 50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. Mix powdered sugar and lemon juice to make the glaze, then drizzle over the cooled cake.
Notes
- If your lemons are not very juicy, microwave them for 10 seconds to extract more juice.
- Melted butter works fine if you forget to soften it.
- A whisk or fork is sufficient; a stand mixer is not required.
- For variations, try adding poppy seeds or swapping lemons for oranges.
- Any oven-safe dish can be used instead of a loaf pan, but adjust baking time accordingly.
- Store the cooled cake wrapped in plastic wrap or in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- To freeze, cool completely, wrap in foil, then a freezer bag. Thaw at room temperature.
- Bottled lemon juice can be used in a pinch, but fresh zest is recommended for flavor.
- If doubling the recipe, use two separate pans to ensure even baking.
- Overmixing the batter can result in a dense loaf.
- A loaf sinking in the middle may indicate it’s underbaked or the oven temperature was off.
- Prep Time: 20 mins
- Cook Time: 50 mins
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320 calories
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 0mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 0mg