Description
A delightful and moist lemon loaf that captures the essence of Starbucks’ signature treat.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
- ½ cup plain Greek yogurt or sour cream
- ¼ cup milk
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2–3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
Instructions
- Prepare the oven and pan – Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a loaf pan or line it with parchment paper. This small step makes removing the loaf later much easier.
- Mix the dry ingredients – In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. This helps distribute the leavening evenly so the loaf rises beautifully.
- Combine the wet ingredients – In a larger bowl, whisk the eggs and sugar until the mixture becomes smooth and slightly pale. Add the melted butter, Greek yogurt, milk, lemon juice, lemon zest, and vanilla extract. The scent of fresh lemon at this stage is already wonderful.
- Bring everything together – Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Stir gently until just combined. Avoid overmixing—this keeps the Starbucks Copycat Lemon Loaf soft and tender.
- Bake the loaf – Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top. Bake for 45–55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. As it bakes, your kitchen will fill with a warm citrus aroma that feels like stepping into a bakery.
- Cool before glazing – Allow the loaf to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Make the lemon glaze – In a small bowl, whisk powdered sugar with fresh lemon juice until smooth. The glaze should be thick but pourable.
- Finish the loaf – Drizzle the glaze generously over the cooled loaf. Let it set for a few minutes before slicing. That glossy lemon topping is what gives the Starbucks Copycat Lemon Loaf its signature café-style finish.
Notes
- This loaf is best enjoyed fresh, but it can be stored at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- You can substitute sour cream with Greek yogurt for a lighter option.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 60mg