Description
This lemon loaf is the kind of easy recipe that instantly brightens your day with fresh citrus flavor, a soft buttery crumb, and a sweet glaze that melts into every slice. Perfect for a quick breakfast, easy dessert, afternoon snack, or brunch table, it brings together simple baking ingredients in a way that feels both homemade and bakery worthy. If you love lemon bread, glazed loaf cake, spring dessert ideas, and easy food ideas that taste impressive without being complicated, this is a loaf you will want to bake again and again.
Ingredients
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 cup sour cream
2 tablespoons lemon zest
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup powdered sugar
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease or line a standard loaf pan with parchment paper.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
3. In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
4. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
5. Mix in the sour cream, lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla extract until smooth.
6. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and stir just until combined.
7. Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top.
8. Bake for 45 to 55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
9. Let the loaf cool in the pan for 10 to 15 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack.
10. Whisk the powdered sugar with the lemon juice until smooth, then drizzle over the cooled loaf.
11. Slice and serve.
Notes
Do not overmix the batter once the flour is added, or the loaf can turn dense instead of soft and tender.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 28g
- Sodium: 170mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 70mg