Nani's Favorite Lemon Loaf

Name: Nani's Favorite Lemon Loaf
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: 1 h 5 min
Yield: 8
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour; 1/2 teaspoon baking powder; 1/2 teaspoon baking soda; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 3 large eggs at room temperature; 1 cup granulated sugar; 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 2 teaspoons lemon extract; 1/3 cup fresh lemon juice; 1/2 cup vegetable oil; 2 tablespoons fresh lemon zest; 1/2 cup sour cream; 1 cup powdered sugar for the glaze; 2 tablespoons heavy cream for the glaze; 1 tablespoon lemon juice for the glaze

A bright and citrusy lemon cake that tastes just like the one from your favorite coffee shop but made right in your own kitchen.

By Recipes By Nani· 🌍 American· July 18, 2026

recipesbynani.com

Prep

15 minutes

Cook

50 minutes

Total

1 hour 5 minutes

Serves

I have spent so much time in my kitchen trying to get this lemon loaf just right. My family and I wanted that perfect soft texture and a zingy flavor that really wakes up your taste buds. This cake is wonderfully moist and has a lovely thick glaze on top that makes every bite feel special.

The secret to a great lemon loaf is using real lemon zest and a little bit of lemon extract. It gives the bread a deeper flavor than juice alone. Make sure your ingredients like eggs and sour cream are at room temperature so the batter comes together perfectly smooth.

🧺 Ingredients

1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 large eggs at room temperature
1 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 teaspoons lemon extract
1/3 cup fresh lemon juice
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 tablespoons fresh lemon zest
1/2 cup sour cream
1 cup powdered sugar for the glaze
2 tablespoons heavy cream for the glaze
1 tablespoon lemon juice for the glaze

👩‍🍳Instructions

1
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees and grease a standard loaf pan with butter or cooking spray.
2
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt then set it aside.
3
In a large mixing bowl, beat the eggs, sugar, and softened butter together until the mixture is light and fluffy.
4
Mix in the lemon extract, vanilla extract, lemon juice, lemon zest, oil, and sour cream until well combined.
5
Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and stir until just mixed, being careful not to overwork the batter.
6
Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan and bake for 45 to 50 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
7
Let the loaf cool completely in the pan before you turn it out onto a wire rack.
8
Whisk the powdered sugar, cream, and lemon juice together for the glaze and pour it over the cooled loaf.

💡 Tips

Store any leftover slices in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. If you want a thicker glaze, just add a little more powdered sugar until it reaches the consistency you like best.

#lemon #copycat #baking #dessert #vegetarian

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