Are you a fan of lemon desserts? Then you need to try this Lemon Loaf! It is full of lemon flavor with sweet lemon icing!
Have you ever tried the Lemon Loaf from Starbucks? It is one of my favorite food items to get from them along with their Petite Vanilla Bean Scones. The Lemon Loaf is buttery, tender and bursting with lemon flavor! It’s like sunshine in your mouth.
Even if you have never tried the Lemon Loaf from Starbucks you definitely need to try this Lemon Loaf recipe! The best part is that it is perfect to eat for breakfast, a midmorning snack, or even dessert! Or all three I won’t judge.
Lemon Loaf
To get the perfect lemon flavor you need to use fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, and lemon extract. I found lemon extract at my local grocery store in the spices section.
Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a bowl. In the bowl for your mixer, combine together the butter and sugar until fluffy. Mix in each egg and then stir in the vanilla extract, lemon extract, lemon zest, and lemon juice.
With the mixer on low, mix in about 1/2 of the flour mixture followed by the sour cream. Then turn off the mixer and scrape down the sides of the bowl. Add the remaining flour mixture and combine. Pour the batter into the pan and bake for 50-60 minutes. The Lemon Loaf will be done when an inserted toothpick comes out clean.
Allow the Lemon Loaf to cool completely before icing. In a medium bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and lemon juice until smooth. If needed, add in a little more powdered sugar or lemon juice. The icing should be thick and not too runny. Spoon the icing over the loaf and let harden before serving. I placed my Lemon Loaf in the refrigerator for about 10 minutes to get the icing to set fast.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon lemon extract
- zest of 1 large lemon
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1/3 cup sour cream
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a loaf pan or line with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- In a separate bowl using a mixer beat the butter and sugar together until fluffy.
- Mix in the eggs one at a time. Then stir in the vanilla extract, lemon extract, lemon zest, and lemon juice.
- With the mixer on low, mix in about 1/2 of the flour mixture followed by the sour cream. Then turn off the mixer and scrape down the sides of the bowl.
- Add the rest of the flour mixture stirring until combined.
- Pour the batter into the pan and bake for 50-60 minutes. The Lemon Loaf will be done when a toothpick comes out clean
- Allow the Lemon Loaf to cool completely.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and lemon juice until smooth. If needed, add in a little more powdered sugar or lemon juice. The icing should be thick and not too runny.
- Spoon the icing over the loaf and let harden before serving. (I placed my Lemon Loaf in the refrigerator for about 10 minutes to help the icing harden quickly.
