BETTER THAN STARBUCKS LEMON LOAF

For as long as I can remember, Starbucks lemon loaf was my all time favorite and go-to order. I remember both of my parents having to be at work early and some days would drop me and my sister off at Starbucks two blocks from my school. It became routine, a hot chocolate and a nice slice of lemon loaf. The best part was the lemony glaze on top; I made sure each bite had some with it. From those days forward, it instantly became a favorite and wanted it every time. It was almost an incentive to be dropped off at school early, annoying to wake up extremely early, but the Starbucks routine made it a little better (I was not a morning person).

I knew, as my love for baking became and everyday thing & starting this blog, remaking the Starbucks lemon loaf was one of my top priorities. I love how moist, soft and lemony the cake was with that hint of sugary sweet glaze. The cake itself wasn’t overpowering in the sweets department but that glaze made up for it. With that being said, I think I have finally created the best lemon loaf you have been waiting for and will instantly be your new favorite go-to recipe! I promise you that!

TIPS FOR THE BEST LEMON LOAF:

One of the best tricks for getting the full flavor from your lemons and creating the most flavorful loaf is to make sure to work the sugar and lemon zest together with your fingers. This is always the first step of this recipe. Rubbing the zest and sugar together with your fingers will start to release the oils and juices from the zest into the sugar. From here this creates a more potent lemon flavor so the remaining ingredients don’t take away from the main ingredient – lemon!

This is such an easy recipe, for beginners and those that live in the kitchen, but will easily become everyones favorite lemon loaf recipe! This is a one bowl recipe which makes for easier cleanup and a simpler recipe to follow. Itll be the first recipe you gravitate towards and will become a fan favorite! Lemon loaves aren’t too sweet which means you can never get enough of it and always will have room for seconds!

The lemon glaze is the cherry on top, it adds more sweetness that the loaf doesn’t necessarily have a ton of. It creates the perfect sweet touch to each bite. Add as much or as little lemon juice or zest to it as you’d like!

LEMON LOAF RECIPE:

BETTER THAN STARBUCKS LEMON LOAF

Recipe by sugaredkneadsCourse: Deserts, LOAVES, Recipes

Servings

1

servings

Prep time

20

minutes

Cooking time

45

minutes

Ingredients

• 1 cup granulated sugar

• 2 – 2 1/2 Tablespoons lemon zest – about 2 lemons

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted (1 stick) 

• 2 eggs

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 3 Tablespoons lemon juice – from those two zested lemons 

• 1/3 cup full fat Greek yogurt or sour cream

• 1/4 cup milk

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 1 3/4 cups all purpose flour

• 2 teaspoons baking powder

• FOR THE GLAZE:

• 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

• 1 Tablespoon lemon juice

• 2 Tablespoon milk or cream

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

• Preheat oven to 350°F & line loaf pan with parchment paper or spray. Set aside.
• In a large bowl, combine the granulated sugar and lemon zest. Rub together with you’re fingers to incorporate that lemon flavor to infuse into the sugar. 
• Add the melted butter to the sugar and whisk well. 
• Add the vanilla extract and the eggs. Whisk well
• Add the sour cream, milk and lemon juice. Mix to combine
• Add the flour, baking powder, and salt. Mix until smooth & no lumps. Do not over mix
• Pour batter into loaf pan for 45 – 55 minutes, or until a toothpick/knife inserted into the middle comes out with a moist crumble and mostly clean. So not over baker! 
• Make the lemon glaze. Combine all the ingredients for the lemon icing in a bowl and whisk together.
• Once the bread is slightly cool, remove from the pan and pour the glaze over the bread down the middle and allow it to drip down sides on its own. Best to eat warm! If you’re glaze is thick enough it will not thin out when loaf is still warm!