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- 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour - 1 teaspoon baking powder - ½ teaspoon baking soda - ¼ teaspoon salt - ¾ cup granulated sugar - 2 large eggs - ½ cup unsalted butter, softened - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract - ¾ cup plain Greek yogurt - Zest of 2 lemons - ¼ cup fresh lemon juice - 1 cup powdered sugar - 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice - 1 tablespoon lemon zest To make my Glazed Lemon Loaf, you'll need these fresh and simple ingredients. Start with the dry ingredients. You’ll mix flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. This blend gives your loaf a nice rise and texture. Next, gather the wet ingredients. The butter and sugar create a sweet and creamy base. Eggs add moisture and help everything bind. Greek yogurt makes the loaf moist and adds a slight tang. Zesty lemon will brighten up the flavor and give it that fresh kick we all love. Lastly, for the glaze, you’ll mix powdered sugar with fresh lemon juice and zest. This glaze adds a nice finish and extra sweetness on top of the loaf. Using fresh lemons is key. They bring out the best flavor. If you can, choose organic lemons for the zest. It makes a big difference! {{ingredient_image_1}} 1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and get your loaf pan ready. 2. Grease a 9x5-inch loaf pan or line it with parchment paper. 3. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set this aside. 1. In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and sugar until it feels light and fluffy. 2. Add the eggs, mixing well after each one. Stir in the vanilla extract until it’s all combined. 1. Now, mix in the Greek yogurt, lemon zest, and fresh lemon juice. Stir until well combined. 2. Gradually add the dry ingredients to this wet mixture. Stir gently until just combined. 1. Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top with a spatula. 2. Bake for 50-60 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick in the center. It should come out clean. 1. While your loaf bakes, prepare the glaze. Whisk together powdered sugar, lemon juice, and lemon zest until smooth. 2. Once the loaf cools for 10 minutes in the pan, drizzle the glaze over it. Let it soak in for extra moisture and flavor. To get a soft and moist loaf, creaming butter and sugar is key. Start with softened butter. Use a hand mixer or stand mixer. Beat until it looks light and fluffy. This step adds air, which helps the loaf rise. Do not overmix the batter once you add the dry ingredients. Stir until just combined. Overmixing can make the loaf dense instead of soft. Fresh lemon juice makes a big difference. It gives the loaf a bright, zesty flavor. Use real lemons instead of bottled juice for best results. Adjust the amount of lemon zest based on your taste. More zest means more lemon flavor. If you like it stronger, add a bit more. Baking time can vary based on your oven. Factors include how old your oven is and how you prepare the pan. Check the loaf doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center. If it comes out clean, the loaf is ready. If it has batter on it, bake for a few more minutes. Pro Tips Use Fresh Lemons: For the best flavor, always use fresh lemons for zest and juice instead of bottled alternatives. Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure your eggs and butter are at room temperature for a smoother batter and better rise. Check for Doneness: Oven temperatures can vary; use a toothpick to check if the loaf is done, ensuring it comes out clean. Glaze Variations: Experiment with different citrus juices for the glaze, such as orange or lime, for a unique twist. {{image_2}} You can make your lemon loaf even better with extra flavors. One easy way is to add poppy seeds. They give a nice crunch and look pretty too. Use about one to two tablespoons mixed into the batter. You can also swap lemons for other citrus fruits. Try using lime or orange juice and zest instead. This change gives the loaf a fresh twist while keeping it zesty and fun. Glazing is where you can get creative! Instead of the lemon glaze, you can try different flavors. A berry glaze made with pureed berries adds a fruity touch. Simply blend fresh berries with powdered sugar and a bit of lemon juice. If you want something richer, use a cream cheese glaze. Mix softened cream cheese with powdered sugar and a splash of vanilla. This combination adds a rich taste that pairs well with the lemon loaf. If you need gluten-free options, you can substitute the all-purpose flour. Use a gluten-free flour blend that you like. This swap keeps the loaf moist and tasty. For those needing dairy-free options, substitute Greek yogurt with a dairy-free yogurt. Almond or coconut yogurt works well. This keeps the loaf moist while meeting dietary needs. To keep your glazed lemon loaf fresh, store it in an airtight container. This helps prevent it from drying out. If you have leftovers, let the loaf cool completely. Once cool, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or foil. This keeps moisture in and helps maintain flavor. Yes, you can freeze the lemon loaf. To do this, wrap it in plastic wrap and then in foil. This double layer protects it from freezer burn. You can freeze it for up to three months. When ready to eat, let it thaw in the fridge overnight. In the fridge, your lemon loaf stays fresh for about five days. If stored properly, it should taste great for this time. Watch for signs of spoilage. If you see mold or an off smell, it is best to toss it. The loaf may also become dry or hard, which means it’s past its prime. Enjoy your lemon loaf while it's fresh! Yes, you can make this lemon loaf ahead of time. To keep it fresh, store it in an airtight container. Let the loaf cool completely before wrapping it. You can also freeze it for up to three months. Just remember to wrap it well. When you are ready to enjoy it, thaw it overnight in the fridge. If you need a substitute for Greek yogurt, try using sour cream or buttermilk. Both add moisture. If you prefer dairy-free options, use coconut yogurt or almond yogurt. Each choice may change the texture slightly, but the loaf will still taste great. To make the loaf less sweet, reduce the sugar by ¼ cup. You can also use less glaze if you want. If you want a healthier option, try using honey or maple syrup instead of granulated sugar. This keeps the flavor bright while lowering the sweetness. This blog post covered a delicious lemon loaf recipe. We explored ingredients, preparation steps, and tips for the best texture and flavor. Remember to store your loaf properly to keep it fresh. Feel free to try variations, like adding poppy seeds or using different citrus. Baking can be fun and rewarding. Make this loaf, and enjoy sharing it with friends and family. Happy baking!

Zesty Lemon Glazed Loaf

A delightful lemon-flavored loaf with a sweet glaze, perfect for any occasion.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 10
Calories 200 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1.75 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 0.5 teaspoon baking soda
  • 0.25 teaspoon salt
  • 0.75 cups granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 0.5 cups unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 0.75 cups plain Greek yogurt
  • 2 zest lemons
  • 0.25 cups fresh lemon juice
  • 1 cups powdered sugar
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon lemon zest

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9x5-inch loaf pan or line it with parchment paper.
  • In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
  • In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
  • Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Incorporate the vanilla extract and combine.
  • Mix in the Greek yogurt, lemon zest, and lemon juice until everything is well combined.
  • Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined.
  • Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan, smoothing the top with a spatula.
  • Bake for 50-60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  • While the loaf is baking, prepare the glaze by whisking together the powdered sugar, lemon juice, and lemon zest until smooth.
  • Once the loaf is done, remove it from the oven and let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack.
  • Drizzle the glaze over the warm loaf, allowing it to soak in for extra moisture and flavor.

Notes

Slice the loaf and arrange on a wooden board. Garnish with thin lemon slices and fresh mint for a pop of color.
Keyword dessert, glazed, lemon, loaf