This easy Copycat Starbucks Lemon Loaf will satisfy your craving at a fraction of the price of the in-store version! This recipe delivers the same bright lemon flavor with its tender crumb, and sweet lemon glaze inspired by Starbucks’ beloved lemon bread.
There’s just something special about a citrusy cake that makes every bite feel like a little slice of sunshine. The balance of tart and sweet, combined with a perfectly moist texture, makes Starbucks' Iced Lemon Loaf one of the most popular baked goods for lemon lovers. The best part of this recipe is, you can make this lemon cake at home with simple ingredients! You will not only save money, but your kitchen will also be filled with the fresh, zesty aroma of homemade goodness.
This, together with the Best Starbucks Brownies and my take on Starbucks Chocolate Cake Pop are fool-proof recipes you can try at home when you're craving for something sweet, but don't want to head out and wait in the drive through for it.
WHAT IS THIS STARBUCKS COPYCAT LEMON LOAF MADE OF?
This lemon pound cake is made of the simplest yet most flavorful ingredients that are combined to make a sweet, moist, and tangy dessert. We used base ingredients such as flour, sugar, eggs, lemon juice and zest, and vegetable oil for the loaf. The finishing touch is the sweet and tangy lemon glaze that's drizzled on top for that signature Starbucks-style finish.
INGREDIENTS TO MAKE THIS COPYCAT STARBUCKS LEMON LOAF RECIPE
Scroll down to the recipe card at the bottom of the page for the detailed ingredient measurements.
For the Loaf
- All-Purpose Flour: is what gives this recipe its structure. Alternatively, you can also use cake flour if you want a slightly lighter texture.
- Baking Powder & Baking Soda: are the leavening agents will help the loaf rise and stay fluffy. Both of these ingredients ensure the right amount of lift and tenderness.
- Salt: enhances the overall flavor and balances the sweetness.
- Large Eggs: provide both structure and moisture. They help to create a rich, tender crumb. Have them at room temperature before using them for better mixing.
- Granulated Sugar: adds sweetness and helps create a soft texture. You can substitute with coconut sugar or a sugar alternative, but, doing so may slightly alter the taste.
- Lemon Zest & Lemon Juice: are the keys to that bold, fresh citrus flavor. Always use fresh lemons for the best taste.
- Vanilla Extract and Lemon Extract: boost the flavor and mimic the original's taste.
- Sour Cream: makes the loaf extra moist and tender. If you don't have sour cream on-hand, Greek yogurt is a great substitute for this recipe.
- Vegetable Oil: or any neutral oil such as canola oil.
For the Lemon Glaze
- Powdered Sugar: creates a smooth, sweet glaze that complements the lemon flavor.
- Lemon Juice: balances the sweetness with tartness and creates the perfect consistency for the glaze. You can adjust the lemon juice to make it tangier if you like. But, don't add too much as this might make the glaze too runny.
- Milk: helps thin out the glaze's consistency, you could also use cream.
- Melted butter: adds a touch of sheen to your glaze. Make sure that it's completely melted and at room temperature though. Using warm melted butter will make the glaze too thin.
HOW TO MAKE THIS COPYCAT STARBUCKS LEMON LOAF RECIPE
Make sure to scroll down to the recipe card at the end of this post for the full step-by-step instructions.
Preheat Oven & Combine Dry Ingredients: Preheat your oven and grease a 8.5 x4.5-inch loaf pan or line with parchment paper. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, beat eggs and sugar until smooth. Add lemon zest, lemon juice, vanilla, lemon extract, sour cream, and vegetable oil.
Mix wet and dry ingredients together: Next, add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and stir the mixture until just combined. Do not overmix. Then, pour batter into the prepared loaf pan.
Bake the loaf, then make the glaze: Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Meanwhile, make the lemon glaze by combining powdered sugar, lemon juice, butter, and milk.
Drizzle glaze into the loaf pan: Let the loaf cool completely on a wire rack. Once cooled, drizzle the lemon loaf with the lemon glaze.
TIPS AND TRICKS TO MAKE THIS RECIPE
- Don't over mix the batter. Over mixing the batter will end up in a dense loaf. Mix just until combined to keep the texture light and fluffy.
- Use fresh lemon juice and zest. Avoid using bottled lemon juice. Fresh ingredients make a significant difference in the flavor.
- Room temperature ingredients are key. Eggs and sour cream that are left to set at room temperature and can blend more easily.
WHY YOU NEED TO MAKE THIS RECIPE
- This Lemon Loaf Cake tastes just like the Starbucks version but fresher and better!
- You can make this recipe at a fraction of the cost of buying it at a coffee shop.
- It’s perfect for breakfast, dessert, or a midday treat with coffee or tea.
- It's honestly one of the best lemon desserts you'll ever make.
STARBUCKS LEMON LOAF CAKE RECIPE FAQ's
Yes, but oil keeps this loaf cake extra moist.
Absolutely! Just wrap it tightly with plastic wrap and freeze for up to 3 months. You can also store it in an airtight container in the freezer.
For easy storage, put your cake in a ziplock bag or airtight container. It will last for 2-3 days at room temperature or for 4-5 days in the refrigerator. You can also freeze it for a month or two by wrapping it in plastic wrap followed by aluminum foil.
Yes you can. Just swap the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour baking blend.
This may be because the loaf is overbaked. It can also be because there was too much flour used, so measure your ingredients accurately.
You can use Greek yogurt as an alternative if you don't have sour cream on hand.
Add a little more powdered sugar into the glaze until you reach the consistency you like.
Copycat Starbucks Lemon Loaf Recipe
Starbucks Lemon Loaf Copycat Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 & ¾ cup flour
- 1 & ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 3 eggs
- 1 cup sugar
- ¾ cup sour cream or greek yogurt
- ½ cup oil
- 1 zest of two lemon
- 3 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon lemon extract
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Lemon glaze
- 1 & ¼ cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoon lemon juice
- ½ tablespoon milk
- ½ tablespoon butter melted
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350F and line a 8.5 x4.5 loaf pan with parchment paper and set aside.
- In a large bowl, rub the sugar and the lemon zest together using your fingers to allow the citrus oils to come through in the sugar.1 cup sugar, 1 zest of two lemon
- In a mixing bowl cream the eggs, sugar, and sour cream together until light nd fluffy.3 eggs, ¾ cup sour cream
- Add in the oil and mix slowly. Add in the vanilla extract, lemon extract, and lemon juice, and beat to combine.½ cup oil, 1 tablespoon lemon extract, ½ teaspoon vanilla extract, 3 tablespoon lemon juice
- Add in the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt and mix just until combined. Do not overmix.1 & ¾ cup flour, 1 & ½ teaspoon baking powder, ¼ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and bake for 45-50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Allow the loaf pan to cool down completely before removing from the loaf pan and top it with the lemon glaze.
Make the lemon glaze
- In a medium bowl, add the powdered sugar, milk, lemon juice, and melted butter and whisk to combine.1 & ¼ cup powdered sugar, 2 tablespoon lemon juice, ½ tablespoon butter, ½ tablespoon milk
- Pour the glaze over the loaf and allow it to set. Slice and enjoy!
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