Best Lemon Loaf Cake Recipe - Bursting with Lemon Flavor
The best lemon loaf cake ever! Soft, moist, and easy to make, bursting with tangy lemon flavor! Follow my steps to get the perfect result.
Ingredients
Loaf Cake:
- 1 cup sugar 220g
- Zest of 3 large lemons or 4-5 small ones
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1-2 teaspoon lemon extract if you like a strong lemon flavor, go for 2 tsp!
- 5 tbsp unsalted butter 70g
- ¼ cup vegetable 55g
- ¼ cup whole milk 60g
- 1 ⅔ cup all-purpose flour 215g
- ¼ cup cornstarch 40g
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ cup sour cream 120g - check out my recipe for homemade sour cream
- ¼ cup fresh lemon juice 60g
- Optional: 1-2 tablespoon butter to piping down the middle of the loaf
Lemon Icing:
- 1 cup icing sugar sifted
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp cream
Instructions
Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Pan:
- Preheat your oven to 325°F (conventional).
- Grease an 8.5x4-inch loaf pan with butter and line it with parchment paper.
Make the Cake Batter:
- In a bowl, mix together sugar and lemon zest until it becomes fluffy.
- Add eggs, vanilla, and lemon extract. Use an electric mixer to whisk the mixture for 3-4 minutes until it becomes light and thick.
- In a separate saucepan, melt butter, oil, and milk over medium heat.
- Slowly pour the hot butter mixture into the egg mixture while whisking.
- Add flour, cornstarch, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Fold the mixture gently until combined.
- Add sour cream and lemon juice. Fold gently until combined, avoiding overmixing.
Bake the Cake:
- Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan.
- If desired, pipe a thin line of softened butter down the middle of the loaf pan to control the crack as the cake rises.
- Bake for 45-55 minutes, checking at 45 minutes with a toothpick. The toothpick should come out with moist crumbs attached.
Cool and Assemble the Cake:
- Let the cake cool down for 20 minutes.
- Prepare the lemon icing by mixing the ingredients.
- Remove the cake from the pan carefully. Spread the lemon icing on top and garnish with more lemon zest.
- Slice and enjoy your delicious lemon cake.
Video
Notes
- For optimal results, it's recommended to use eggs at room temperature.
- Ensure that your baking powder and baking soda are fresh and not expired.
- Make sure to check the expiration dates on your baking powder and baking soda for the best baking results.