Description
This Starbucks Copycat Lemon Loaf brings the famous zesty, moist goodness of Starbucks’ iconic lemon loaf right into your kitchen. With a perfect balance of sweetness and citrus, this loaf is ideal for breakfast, dessert, or an afternoon snack. It’s easy to make and budget-friendly, giving you a delicious treat at home!
Ingredients
For the Loaf:
- All-purpose flour
- Baking powder
- Baking soda
- Salt
- Granulated sugar
- Eggs
- Vegetable oil
- Sour cream (or Greek yogurt)
- Unsalted butter (melted)
- Lemon zest
- Lemon juice
- Vanilla extract
- Lemon extract (optional)
For the Glaze:
- Powdered sugar
- Lemon juice
- Lemon zest (optional for garnish)
Instructions
1. Preheat the Oven
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan and line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
3. Mix Wet Ingredients
- In a large bowl, whisk together sugar, eggs, sour cream, oil, and melted butter.
- Add lemon zest, lemon juice, vanilla extract, and lemon extract (if using). Stir until combined.
4. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
- Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Avoid overmixing.
5. Bake
- Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan, smoothing the top.
- Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
6. Cool and Glaze
- Let the loaf cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.
- For the glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar and lemon juice until smooth. Drizzle over the cooled loaf and garnish with lemon zest if desired.
Notes
Variations
- Gluten-Free: Use a gluten-free flour blend to make this recipe gluten-free.
- More Lemon Flavor: Add 1 teaspoon lemon extract for an extra citrus punch.
- Healthier Version: Use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream and opt for a natural sweetener like honey.
- Mini Loaves: Split the batter into smaller pans for mini lemon loaves—perfect for gifting.
Storage and Reheating
- Storage: Store the loaf in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to 1 week.
- Freezing: Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and foil, then freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before serving.
- Reheating: Warm a slice in the microwave for 10-15 seconds.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45-50 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Breakfast, Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
