Simple Lemon Loaf Cake - HaveRecipes.com (2024)

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Ingredients Directions Notes FAQs

I have three adjectives to describe this Lemon Loaf Cake: Simple. Satisfying. Sweet. Let’s start with Simple first. I, personally, love to keep things simple. Especially, when it comes to a good recipe. I, too, hope you feel the same. And, if you do, then we are definitely on the same page.

While I love to cook and bake, I also enjoy downtime with my family and friends. And, now that we are turning a corner with COVID, I am looking forward to seeing the people I care about in person, instead of Facetime or Zoom. That is why I made this Simple Lemon Loaf Cake. It will be my centerpiece when I have my very first in-person get together soon in well over a year.

Ingredients

  • For the Loaf:
  • 1/2 cup 1/2 unsalted butter, softened

  • 1 cup 1 granulated sugar

  • 3 large 3 eggs, at room temperature

  • 1 cup 1 sour cream, at room temperature

  • 2 tablespoons 2 lemon zest

  • 2 tablespoons 2 lemon juice

  • 1 1/2 cups 1 1/2 all-purpose flour

  • 2 teaspoons 2 baking powder

  • 1/2 teaspoon 1/2 salt (any kind)

  • 2 teaspoons 2 pure vanilla extract

  • For the Glaze:
  • 1 cup 1 powdered sugar

  • 2 tablespoons 2 lemon juice

  • 2 tablespoons 2 milk

Directions

  • For the Loaf:
  • Preheat the oven to 350°F/180°C. Spray a 9×5 inch loaf pan with baking spray and set aside.
  • In a large bowl, cream together the butter and granulated sugar with a hand whisk or an electric mixer.
  • Add in the room temperature eggs and beat. Add in the sour cream, lemon zest and lemon juice.
  • Fold in the flour, baking powder and salt. Be sure to not over mix.
  • Spread the batter into the loaf pan and bake for 50-55 minutes.
  • Allow to cool for 45 minutes to 1 hour before glazing.
  • For the Glaze:
  • In a medium sized bowl, combine powdered sugar, lemon juice and milk until smooth.
  • Use to glaze the lemon loaf. Slice and Enjoy!

Notes

  • Using lemon zest in the glaze will give the glaze a stronger lemon taste. For a lighter lemon taste, only use lemon juice.
  • Adjust the lemon juice measurements to your taste.
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I may even make mini-loaves as gift bags for my long overdue and much-needed human interaction in-person bonding. I like to make things look pretty, so I will place each mini loaf in a clear bag and tie each one with a cute ribbon, along with a personal message tag. Feel free to use this idea for your reunion too. Simplicity is always at the top of my list.

This Lemon Loaf Cake is also Satisfying. Why? It melts in your mouth. It is the perfect combination of ingredients. The hardest part will be, having the willpower to just have one slice. No judgment on my end, because I usually have two slices. Come on, you might as well join me. We can walk it off later right?

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And, finally, I described this Lemon Loaf Cake as Sweet. It is the perfect concoction of: sugar, butter, flour, eggs, vanilla extract, lemon and then, of course, the glaze. I truly believe that we will agree, that this cake is Absolutely Delicious and sure to be a family favorite.

If you have little ones, why not create Sweet memories with them, and let them help you make this cake. Remember, you are creating memories for years to come and the sweetest memory of them all will be your own kids passing the same sweet memory on to their own kids someday. I often remember being mommy and daddy’s little helper in the kitchen. I do believe that I fell in love with cooking and baking as a toddler.

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Of course, someday when I have kids, I want them to help me in the kitchen too. I am looking forward to them getting their little hands, faces and aprons messy. Besides, that’s how memories are created and appreciated.

This Simple Lemon Loaf Cake is sure to be a hit. You can make it a few days in advance if you wish. Get as creative as you want. Do mini loaves, do a bundt cake version or simply a loaf pan or two or three. You may need an extra one for those last minute friends or family members you forgot to invite. Or perhaps, they invited themselves. And, who can blame them? It has been a while for all of us. My only advice: Keep it Simple. Make it Satisfying. And Enjoy the Sweet Moments with the people you Love! Until the next recipe!

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Simple Lemon Loaf Cake - HaveRecipes.com (2024)

FAQs

Can I add lemon zest to cake mix? ›

By adding just a little, you are creating a layer of flavor that most tasters won't perceive directly, they'll just note something richer than plain cake. Here's one more secret little tip: lemon zest absolutely livens up a box of cake mix!

What is a loaf cake? ›

Meaning of loaf cake in English

a cake baked in a rectangular pan: I'm making a lemon loaf cake. We like a slice of loaf cake with our morning coffee. Fewer examples. This chocolate loaf cake is amazing.

Can I use milk instead of water in a lemon cake mix? ›

Boxed cakes often call for water, but swapping it out for equal amounts of milk, coffee, or even soda will give you a moister, more tender, and flavorful cake.

Can you use bottled lemon juice instead of lemon zest? ›

Lemon juice carries the same flavor as lemon zest, but it's more acidic, so you might want to add a pinch of sugar to balance out the tartness. That said, the lemon flavor is not as concentrated as lemon zest, so you'll want to keep this formula handy: 1 teaspoon of lemon zest = 2 tablespoons of lemon juice.

Why is my lemon loaf dry? ›

If you have too much flour in a recipe and not enough fat, like butter or oil, your cake is going to be dry and hard. For best results, I would encourage you to use a scale when baking, but if you don't have a scale, then just make sure you're using measuring cups correctly.

How to make lemon baking powder? ›

To replace 1 teaspoon (5 grams) of baking powder, use 1/4 teaspoon (1 gram) baking soda and 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 grams) lemon juice.

Why is my lemon loaf dense? ›

If a recipe includes a lot of acid such as lemon juice and buttermilk and isn't lifted with enough baking powder, the cake will taste dense. In that case, you may need the addition of baking soda which will react with the acid and create a fluffier crumb.

What is the difference between a loaf cake and regular cake? ›

Loaf cakes are always baked in a loaf pan, whereas cakes in other square or round tins. And even though both cakes and loaf cakes share similar ingredients, the ratio of flour, fat, sugar and the mixing methods are different and make a difference in the final product.

What do bakers call the end of a loaf? ›

The proper term is “heel,” according to the Cambridge Dictionary. Some may call it just “the end piece” or “the butt” when going with true informality. Some Redditors even refer to them as the “crusts,” a double whammy for both the outside of each slice and the end of the loaf itself.

Why does a loaf cake fall in the middle? ›

5. My cake has sunk in the middle. There are three main reasons for this: a/ the oven door has been opened before the cake has set, b/ the cake didn't go in the oven as soon as the mixture was ready or c/ there's too much raising agent.

When should you add lemon zest? ›

Many recipes — both sweet and savory — will call for lemon zest when a dish just needs that extra zing. Grated lemon zest is commonly used in baking, sauces, marinades, and salad dressings. Larger zest pieces work well for garnish on cakes, pies, and most famously on co*cktails like a classic lemon drop martini.

How to add more lemon flavor to cake? ›

To add extra lemon flavor to baked goods, use 1 tablespoon lemon juice powder for each cup of flour. For lemon glaze, use 1 to 2 teaspoons per cup of confections' sugar.

Does lemon zest really add flavor? ›

While lemon juice adds an acidic punch to salad dressings and countless other dishes, lemon zest holds all the fruit's fragrant, floral notes. But what's the best way to zest a lemon? It really depends on what you're cooking and what tools you have on hand (no, you don't necessarily need a Microplane).

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