Description
This easy and refreshing Lemon Loaf is a perfect blend of tangy lemon flavor and moist, tender cake. Made with simple ingredients like Greek yogurt, lemon zest, and lemon juice, it delivers a bright citrus taste balanced by a subtly sweet crumb. Ideal for dessert or a sweet snack, this loaf is quick to prepare and bake, making it a delightful treat any time.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup plain Greek yogurt or sour cream
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 2 tablespoons lemon zest (from about 2 lemons)
- ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 9×5-inch loaf pan with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy removal of the loaf.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until well combined. Set aside.
- Beat Eggs and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat the eggs and granulated sugar until the mixture is light in color and slightly thickened, which helps create a tender texture.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Add the Greek yogurt (or sour cream), vegetable oil, lemon zest, fresh lemon juice, and vanilla extract to the egg and sugar mixture. Mix until the batter is smooth and fully combined.
- Combine Dry and Wet Mixtures: Gradually stir the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just combined. Be careful not to overmix to keep the loaf tender.
- Pour and Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan, smoothing the top with a spatula. Bake in the preheated oven for 45 to 55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool the Loaf: Allow the baked loaf to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Optional Glaze: Once cooled, you can drizzle the loaf with a simple lemon glaze made by mixing powdered sugar and lemon juice for an extra burst of flavor.
Notes
- For a simple lemon glaze, mix 1 cup powdered sugar with 2 tablespoons lemon juice and drizzle over the cooled loaf.
- You can substitute sour cream for the Greek yogurt without changing the texture significantly.
- Ensure not to overmix the batter to keep the loaf light and tender.
