Bright, zesty, and irresistibly moist, this Easy Lemon Loaf Recipe comes together with simple ingredients you likely already have on hand. Whether you're craving a sweet breakfast treat or a light dessert, this lemony loaf is sure to hit the spot.
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Looking for more Lemon Recipes? Make sure to check out Lemon Cake Cookies, Homemade Lemonade, The BEST Lemon Bars, and this Lemon Meringue Pie with Graham Cracker Crust!
Why This Lemon Loaf Recipe Works?
Lemon and summer are just a perfect pair. I love how refreshing anything lemon is, and I’ve been on a lemon kick lately.
It has the PERFECT crumb and stays so moist. Plus, top it off with the lemon frosting and you have a delicious dessert.
If you are a fan of the Starbucks Lemon Loaf, you will love this recipe!
What You Need For this Lemon Loaf Recipe?
Butter- I tend to use unsalted, but salted can be used instead. Just remove the salt from the remaining recipe.
Buttermilk- Much like in my Buttermilk Chocolate Cake- the buttermilk helps make the cake tender and moist!
Lemons- I like using fresh lemons so I can also add the zest but you can use store-bought lemon juice if that's what you have on hand.
Frosting- I like to use a lemon variation of my vanilla buttercream frosting, but you can use cream cheese frosting, or a simple glaze (like I use on this Gingerbread Bundt Cake).
Buttermilk Substitution
Combine ⅓ milk with 1 teaspoon lemon juice or vinegar and use the entire amount in place of the 6 tablespoon called for in the recipe. Alternatively, I've used a powdered buttermilk substitute too!
How to Make Lemon Loaf Recipe?
- Step 1: Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt- set aside.
- Step 2: In a mixer, whip the butter until nice and fluffy, then mix in the sugar.
- Step 3: Mix in the eggs one at a time then mix in the zest, lemon juice, buttermilk, and vanilla extract.
- Step 4: Bake until edges are golden and a toothpick stuck into the middle comes out clean.
- Step 5: Allow to cool then frost.
Expert Tips
- Grease the Loaf Pan well with a little vegetable oil and flour, Pam and flour, or my preferred Baker's Joy (a flour and oil spray).
- Round Cake: This recipe will make one 9-inch cake. Check for doneness around 20-25 minutes. If you double the recipe (which is totally fine to do!), it will make two 9-inch round cakes OR three 6-inch round cakes. Check for doneness around 20-30 minutes.
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Frequently Asked Questions
I can get 3-4 tablespoons of lemon juice from a lemon. So, two to three lemons are perfect for this recipe.
I always forget to set my butter out to soften, so I simply cube up a stick of butter and microwave it for 15-30 seconds on 30% power. Comes out nice and soft and not melted!
The acid in buttermilk helps to create a softer texture in cakes.
More Delicious Dessert Recipes:
For more delicious dessert recipes, don't miss my Homemade German Chocolate Cake, Homemade Orange Cupcakes, The BEST Homemade Brownies, and these Easy Orange Buttermilk Scones!
If you like this recipe make sure to give it a 5-star review and leave a comment down below!
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Easy Lemon Loaf Recipe
Ingredients
- 1.5 cups flour
- ¼ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter softened to room temperature (1 stick)*
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 large eggs
- Zest from 2 lemons
- 2 tbs lemon juice
- 6 tbs buttermilk
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Lemon Frosting*
- ½ cup butter softened*
- 2 tbs lemon juice
- 1 ½ teaspoon vanilla
- Pinch of salt
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 3 tbs heavy cream
- Lemon zest optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F and grease and flour* a loaf pan*. (8.5x 4.25x2.5)
- In a medium bowl, stir together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.1.5 cups flour, ¼ teaspoon baking powder, ¼ teaspoon baking soda, ½ teaspoon salt
- In a stand mixer or with a hand mixer, cream together butter with sugar until fluffy.½ cup unsalted butter, 1 cup sugar
- Add eggs one at a time, mixing until each is fully incorporated. Then stir in the lemon zest, lemon juice, buttermilk, and vanilla extract.2 large eggs, Zest from 2 lemons, 2 tbs lemon juice, 6 tbs buttermilk, ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- Stir in the flour mixture until combined. Pour into prepared loaf pan.
- Bake for 40-45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- Allow to cool before frosting.
Lemon Frosting
- Whip butter until fluffy, then mix in the lemon juice, vanilla, and salt.½ cup butter, 2 tbs lemon juice, 1 ½ teaspoon vanilla, Pinch of salt
- Alternate mixing in the heavy cream and powdered sugar.3 cups powdered sugar, 3 tbs heavy cream
- Frost the cake and then sprinkle with lemon zestLemon zest
Notes
- *You can swipe the sides and bottom of the pan with butter or shortening and then dust with flour or use a baking spray with flour in it- I like Baker’s Joy spray found in the baking aisle.
- *Cold butter can be softened in the microwave by heating for 15-30 seconds on 30% power.
- *You can also bake this in one 9-inch cake pan for 25 minutes or until done. Then top with a lemon frosting, vanilla buttercream, almond buttercream, or a chocolate frosting!
- *You can easily double this recipe for 2 loaves or 2 9-inch cakes.
- *If you’d prefer a glaze, simply combine 1 cup powdered sugar and 2 tablespoon lemon juice.
- * The frosting recipe is supposed to be slightly looser than a stiff buttercream- if you would like the frosting to be a little stiffer, simply stir in a little more powdered sugar.
Vanessa says
Thanks for sharing! Does it keep long?
Lisa says
Yep- should keep at least a week if refrigerated- and if you can keep from eating up in that time (I know I can't :P)!
Suzanne says
This looks so good! Is this frosting good with other kinds of flavorings?
Lisa says
Yep! It's based off my standard vanilla buttercream- I've used it for almond buttercream on my Easter Cake, and Brown Sugar Buttercream for my Sweet Potato Cupcakes, I also have a delicious Chocolate Buttercream and Cream Cheese Frosting! But if you swap out the lemon juice for lime juice that would be tasty- or use any number of extracts!
Uniquehaze says
These were so good great and easy ingredients. I love lemons
Lisa says
So glad you enjoyed it!
Nathan Wyper says
These look like great fun to make, Need to give them a go!
Lisa says
Thanks! They are super fun!
Jacqueline says
These mini lemon cakes look so cute and I'm sure they taste wonderful! Def one to try!
Lisa says
Thank you!
Brian Jones says
They sound so tasty, fun decoration too, I love it!
Lisa says
Thanks!
Caroline says
I'm a big lemon fan, especially lemon curd so sold on that part. The decoration is such a fun idea.
Lisa says
Awesome! Yes I'm a huge fan of lemon curd too!
Danielle says
These look so tasty! Such a lovely idea for cakes!
Lisa says
Thank you!