Lemon Loaf
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Lemon Loaf
Ingredients
Lemon Loaf
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup (8 ounces) sour cream or Greek yogurt
- 1/2 cup canola or vegetable oil
- 2 tablespoons lemon zest
- 1 to 2 tablespoons lemon extract, or to taste. (I use 2)
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- Optional: Raspberries (or fruit of your choice)
Lemon Glaze
- 3 cups confectioners’ sugar
- 1/4 cup lemon juice, or as necessary for consistency.
- Optional: 2 teaspoons of heavy cream. See note in Method.
Instructions
Lemon Loaf
- Preheat oven to 350F. Spray a 9×5-inch loaf pan with floured cooking spray, or grease and flour the pan; set aside.
- To a large bowl, add the eggs, sugar, sour cream, and whisk vigorously until smooth and combined.
- Drizzle in the oil while whisking to combine.
- Add the lemon zest, lemon extract, and whisk to combine. (Note – I used 2 tablespoons of lemon extract because no actual lemon juice is used in the loaf and I found 2 tablespoons lemon extract necessary for full-bodied lemon flavor, but add to taste. Don’t use lemon oil and lemon extract interchangeably because they’re not; oil is much more potent and intense. Don’t use lemon juice in place of lemon extract because it’s not strong enough and the acidity can alter the overall results.)
- Add the flour, baking powder, salt, and stir until just combined, don’t over mix. Some lumps will be present and that’s okay, don’t try to stir them smooth.
- Optional: Add fresh fruit, like raspberries, to the batter.
- Turn the batter out into prepared pan, smoothing the top lightly with a spatula.
- Bake for about 50 to 52 minutes, or until top is domed, set, and toothpick inserted in the center crack comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs but no batter.
- In the last 10 minutes of baking, tent pan with foil (loosely drape a sheet of foil over pan) to prevent excessive browning on the top and sides of bread before center cooks through.
- Allow loaf to cool in pan on top of a wire rack for at least 30 minutes (I cooled 4 hours) before turning out onto rack to cool completely before glazing.
Lemon Glaze
- To a small bowl, add the confectioners’ sugar and slowly drizzle in the lemon juice while whisking until smooth and combined. You may need to play with the sugar and lemon juice amounts a bit as necessary for desired consistency and flavor.
- *WAIT* until your loaf is room temperature before frosting for best results or it will be a melty mess. I was in a rush today so my loaf’s frosting could be more pretty. To get that solid frosting glaze add heavy cream to your sugar and lemon.
- Evenly drizzle glaze over bread before slicing and serving. Extra glaze can be served on the side Or you can halve the glaze recipe if you’re not a glaze person. Bread will keep airtight at room temperature for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 6 months.
