Description
Starbucks copycat lemon loaf delivers zesty citrus perfection with rich, moist crumb and tangy glaze. Bakers can recreate this café favorite with simple ingredients and straightforward mixing technique.
Ingredients
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
- 1 ½ cups (180 g) all-purpose flour
- ½ cup (120 ml) sour cream or Greek yogurt
- ½ cup (120 ml) vegetable oil
- ¼ cup (60 ml) fresh lemon juice
- 2 tbsps (30 g) unsalted butter, melted
- 2 tbsps lemon zest (from about 2 lemons)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ tsp lemon extract
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 cup (120 g) powdered sugar
- 2–3 tbsps fresh lemon juice
- ½ tsp lemon zest (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Preparation: Warm the oven to 350F (175C) and meticulously line a 9×5-inch loaf pan with parchment paper for seamless cake extraction.
- Dry Mixture: Whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl, ensuring a uniform dry ingredient composition.
- Wet Ingredients: In a spacious bowl, blend eggs, sugar, sour cream, oil, and melted butter until a smooth, glossy liquid emerges, then incorporate lemon zest, fresh lemon juice, vanilla extract, and lemon extract.
- Batter Integration: Fold dry ingredients into wet mixture using gentle strokes, maintaining a light, airy texture without overmixing.
- Baking Process: Pour batter into prepared pan, leveling the surface, and bake for 45-50 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean and the top achieves a golden-brown complexion.
- Cooling Phase: Rest the loaf in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack for complete cooling.
- Glaze Finale: Whisk powdered sugar with lemon juice to create a vibrant drizzle, adjusting consistency as needed, and cascade over the cooled loaf, optionally garnishing with delicate lemon zest for visual and flavor enhancement.
Notes
Prevent Cake Dryness: Use room temperature ingredients to ensure smooth blending and a moist, tender crumb without overmixing the batter.
Maximize Lemon Flavor: Zest lemons before juicing to extract maximum essential oils, intensifying the citrus profile and creating a more vibrant taste experience.
Avoid Sinking Centers: Ensure baking powder and baking soda are fresh, and avoid opening the oven door during baking to prevent potential cake deflation and uneven rising.
Gluten-Free Adaptation: Substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend, adding 1/4 teaspoon xanthan gum to improve texture and prevent crumbling.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 9
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 34 g
- Sodium: 120 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg