Create lemon bread when life hands you lemons! Many people love this traditional dish, and with good reason. It’s simple to make, cool, and flavored with citrus. With hints and techniques to make it enticing, we’ll demonstrate how to bake the ideal lemon loaf in this post.
Lemon Loaf: What is it?
Quick bread called “lemon loaf” is baked using lemon juice and zest. It has a pound cake-like texture but a tart and energizing lemon flavor. A sweet glaze composed of powdered sugar and lemon juice is often drizzled on top of the loaf to give it a lovely shine and a little bit more sweetness.
Ingredients
To make lemon loaf, you will need the following ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 2 tablespoons lemon zest
- 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the eggs, one at a time, until fully incorporated.
- Mix in the sour cream, lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla extract.
- Gradually stir in the dry ingredients until the batter is smooth and well-combined.
- Pour the batter into a greased 9×5 inch loaf pan.
- Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Let the loaf cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.
- In a small bowl, whisk together 1 cup of powdered sugar and 2-3 tablespoons of lemon juice to make the glaze.
- Drizzle the glaze over the cooled loaf, and let it set before slicing and serving.
Tips for Making Lemon Loaf
- Use fresh ingredients. Fresh lemons and fresh sour cream will give the loaf the best flavor and texture.
- Don’t overmix the batter. Overmixing can lead to a tough and dense loaf. Mix the ingredients until just combined.
- Let the loaf cool completely before adding the glaze. If the loaf is still warm, the glaze will melt and become runny.
- Customize the recipe. Add blueberries, raspberries, or poppy seeds to the batter for extra flavor and texture.
Why You Should Make Lemon Loaf
- It’s easy to make. Lemon loaf is a quick bread, which means it doesn’t require any yeast or lengthy rising times. It’s a perfect recipe for beginners or those short on time.
- It’s refreshing. The tangy lemon flavor of the loaf is perfect for a summer treat or a refreshing snack any time of year.
- It’s versatile. Lemon loaf can be served for breakfast, brunch, dessert, or as a snack.