Description
Bright, soft, and bakery-style, this Lemon Glazed Loaf Cake is made with real lemon zest and juice for fresh citrus flavor, plus buttermilk for a tender crumb. A sweet lemon glaze finishes every slice with the perfect tangy-sweet shine.
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 tbsp lemon zest
3/8 cup fresh lemon juice
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 tsp vanilla extract
Lemon Glaze:
1 cup powdered sugar
2–3 tbsp fresh lemon juice (as needed)
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a standard 9×5-inch loaf pan with parchment.
2. Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl.
3. Beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy (about 2–3 minutes).
4. Beat in eggs one at a time, then mix in lemon zest and vanilla.
5. Add dry ingredients in 2–3 additions, alternating with buttermilk and lemon juice. Mix just until combined—do not overmix.
6. Pour batter into prepared pan and smooth the top.
7. Bake 45–55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean (a few moist crumbs are okay).
8. Cool in pan 10–15 minutes, then lift out and cool completely on a rack.
9. Whisk powdered sugar with lemon juice until smooth and pourable.
10. Drizzle glaze over the cooled loaf, slice, and serve.
Notes
For extra lemon flavor, add 1 more teaspoon of zest to the batter.
No buttermilk? Mix 1/2 cup milk with 1 1/2 tsp lemon juice or vinegar; rest 5 minutes.
Let the loaf cool completely before glazing so the glaze stays on top.
Storage: Cover at room temp up to 2 days, refrigerate up to 5 days.
Freezer: Freeze unglazed loaf up to 2 months; thaw and glaze before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 24 g
- Sodium: 180 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg