Best Ever Lemon Loaf Recipe Tastes Like It Came from Your Favorite Coffee Shop (9 Ingredients) by Elisa Schmitz

If you've ever tasted the sliced lemon loaf at Starbucks, then you know how incredibly delicious it is. The bright yellow lemon bread is so fresh and moist, and it's bursting with lemon flavor. Plus, it's topped with a fresh lemon glaze – making the lemon cake absolutely irresistible. If you're craving a slice of Starbucks lemon loaf now, don't worry because there's no need to run out of the house when you can make your own version at home. This easy lemon loaf recipe is the best ever because it's so simple yet it tastes like it came from your favorite coffee shop!

I'm such a fan of that fresh lemon bread that I decided to try making my own. By making it at home, I can use some of my favorite ingredients, like Greek yogurt for added moisture and protein. Check out the health benefits of Greek yogurt. So, if you're looking for an easy way to get in a bit of protein alongside tons of lemon flavor, then you've got to try this delicious lemon loaf recipe. This simple lemon bread combines the creaminess of plain Greek yogurt with the refreshing flavor of lemon to create the best lemon loaf ever. My husband took one bite and couldn't stop saying YUM! Plus, check out the health benefits of protein.

To make this magical lemon cake recipe, here's what you'll need to gather: eggs, sugar, plain Greek yogurt, canola oil, lemon zest, lemon extract (which adds a more intense lemon flavor than lemon juice), flour (all-purpose or gluten-free), baking powder and salt. For the optional lemon glaze, you'll need powdered sugar and lemon juice. Check out the health benefits of lemon. You mix up the lemon loaf batter then bake it until cooked through and golden. After the bread cools, you can top it with the optional lemon glaze to make this lovely cake recipe even more decadent.

Serve this easy lemon bread recipe for breakfast with a cup of coffee (natch), as part of an elegant weekend brunch, for dessert after dinner, or anytime you're craving something truly special. Skip the coffee shop and enjoy this incredible lemon treat any time you want!

Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 50 to 55 minutes (ovens vary)
Total Time: 60 to 65 minutes
Servings: 10

Ingredients

Lemon Loaf

• 3 eggs
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup plain Greek yogurt (or sour cream)
• 1/2 cup canola oil (or vegetable oil)
• 2 tablespoons lemon extract
• 2 tablespoons lemon zest
• 1 1/2 cups flour (all-purpose flour or gluten-free flour)
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Optional Lemon Glaze

• 3 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 1/4 cups powdered sugar (or as needed)

Here's how to make it:

1. In a large mixing bowl, add the eggs, sugar and Greek yogurt. Whisk to combine. (Instead of plain Greek yogurt, you could use sour cream.)
   
2. Add the oil slowly, whisking until thoroughly combined. (You can use canola oil or vegetable oil.)
   
3. Add the lemon extract and lemon zest. Whisk to combine. (Be sure to use lemon extract here and not lemon juice, as the two are not interchangeable. Lemon extract gives this loaf an extra-intense lemon flavor.)
   
4. Add the flour, baking powder and salt. Stir until just combined. Do not over-mix. Batter may have some small lumps, which is perfectly fine. (To make this loaf gluten-free, use gluten-free flour.)
   
5. Evenly spread the batter into a 9x5-inch loaf pan that's been lined with parchment paper.
   
6. Bake in an oven that's been preheated to 350 degrees F until cooked through and golden, about 50 to 55 minutes (it should pass the toothpick test). If loaf is getting too brown on top, cover with tented aluminum foil.
   
7. Remove and allow loaf to cool in the pan on top of a wire rack for an hour before removing from pan to a wire rack to cool completely.
   

To make the optional glaze:

1. In a medium mixing bowl, add the lemon juice and powdered sugar. Whisk to combine. Add more powdered sugar or lemon juice, as needed, to reach desired consistency. (When it comes to lemon juice, fresh is always best. In a pinch, you can use bottled lemon juice.)
   
2. When loaf is completely cool, spread glaze over the top. Slice and serve, spreading additional glaze on each slice as desired.
   
3. Store leftover bread in an airtight container. The bread also freezes well.
   

Recipe cooking times, nutritional information and servings are approximate and provided for your convenience. However, 30Seconds is not responsible for the outcome of any recipe, nor may you have the same results because of variations in ingredients, temperatures, altitude, errors, omissions or cooking/baking abilities. Any nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and it is up to the individual to ascertain accuracy. To ensure image quality, we may occasionally use stock photography.

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