Description
Zesty lemon loaf brings sunshine to your kitchen with its tangy, moist crumb and delicate glaze. Sweet citrus notes dance across your palate, promising a delightful slice of comfort that connects you to pure baking joy.
Ingredients
Scale
Lemon Loaf Ingredients:
Main Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups (360 milliliters) all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup (113 grams) unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup (150 grams) granulated sugar
Liquid and Dairy Ingredients:
- ½ cup (120 milliliters) sour cream (or Greek yogurt)
- ¼ cup (60 milliliters) fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Seasoning and Binding Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- Zest of 2 lemons
Lemon Glaze Ingredients:
- 1 cup (120 grams) powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon lemon zest (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the oven environment by heating to 350F (175C) and thoroughly coating a 9×5-inch loaf pan with butter or non-stick spray.
- Create a delicate dry ingredient mixture by combining flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium mixing bowl, whisking until uniformly blended.
- Develop intense citrus flavor by rubbing fresh lemon zest into granulated sugar, releasing essential aromatic oils, then cream with softened butter until the mixture becomes pale and voluminous.
- Incorporate liquid components by gently adding eggs one at a time, then blending in sour cream, fresh lemon juice, and vanilla extract until the mixture achieves a smooth, consistent texture.
- Merge dry and wet ingredients carefully, folding the flour mixture into the liquid base using gentle strokes to prevent overmixing and maintain the loaf’s tender crumb.
- Transfer the batter into the prepared loaf pan, ensuring even distribution and smoothing the surface with a spatula for uniform baking.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes, monitoring for a golden-brown exterior and checking doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center – it should emerge clean with minimal crumbs.
- Allow the loaf to cool completely in the pan, then gently remove and place on a wire rack.
- Create a tangy glaze by whisking powdered sugar with fresh lemon juice until achieving a silky, pourable consistency.
- Drizzle the glaze artfully over the cooled loaf, allowing it to cascade down the sides, then slice and serve at room temperature.
Notes
- Maximize lemon flavor by thoroughly rubbing zest into sugar, which helps release essential oils and intensify citrusy notes.
- Prevent dry texture by carefully mixing batter until just combined, avoiding overmixing which can develop tough gluten strands.
- Customize the recipe for dietary needs by substituting gluten-free flour blend, using dairy-free sour cream alternative, or replacing butter with coconut oil.
- Ensure even baking by rotating the pan halfway through cooking time and checking doneness with a clean toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg