Mar 26, 2017

Starbucks Lemon Loaf Recipe

Now you can enjoy the deliciously tangy Starbucks Lemon Loaf without even leaving the house and you'll save money too! How great is that?! This copycat recipe is pretty easy to make and bursting with tangy lemon flavor. A family favorite for sure!
Starbucks Lemon Loaf Recipe
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Sunday Supper

The Sunday Supper Tastemakers are sharing a collection of Citrus Recipes, because every spring, as winter winds down the world starts to feel brighter. That brightness carries over to our Sunday Supper kitchens with the brightness of citrus recipes. 
Starbucks Lemon Loaf Recipe
Apparently, the Starbucks Lemon Loaf is one of my mom's favorite things! So much so, she shared a recipe with me and asked me to make it for her. I like to maintain my status as her favorite (out of 6!), so I obliged. I don't know where this recipe originated as my mom got it from a friend, but I'm glad she passed it on to me. And you can be glad momma taught me to share! This lemon loaf recipe is yummy! The glaze reminds me of those lemon head candies I used to love when I was a youngen', and the cake is perfectly moist with a light texture. It is bursting with mouth-watering lemony flavor in every bite! Sweet and Zesty!!
Starbucks Lemon Loaf Recipe

Recipe Prep Tips

  • Use the large bowl of a stand mixer with the paddle attachment. If you don't have a stand mixer, use a large mixing bowl with a hand mixer.
  • Be sure the butter is softened, not melted. Melted butter results in the cake falling in the middle. I learned that the hard way when I was lazy and forgot to take the butter out ahead of time to soften. I ended up melting it in the microwave. You wouldn't think 2 tablespoons of butter would matter much if it's softened or melted, but it really does!
  • When measuring flour be sure to fluff up the flour first and then spoon it into a measuring cup to get the accurate amount.
  • It's important to use the proper size pan. If you use one too small the cake may fall. A 9"x5" loaf pan is recommended.
  • I have made this cake with lemon zest in place of the extract, but I prefer the extract believe it or not. It is a more concentrated lemon flavor which is what I like best for this cake. I've also replaced the milk in the glaze with fresh lemon juice and omitted the extract, but again, I prefer it the way it is written here in my recipe.
Starbucks Lemon Loaf Recipe







Starbucks Lemon Loaf Recipe

Life Tastes Good
Published 03/26/2017
Starbucks Lemon Loaf Recipe
Now you can enjoy the deliciously tangy Starbucks Lemon Loaf without even leaving the house and you'll save money too! How great is that?! This copycat recipe is pretty easy to make and bursting with tangy lemon flavor. A family favorite for sure!

Ingredients

  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened (not melted)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 teaspoon lemon extract
  • 1/3 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 1.5 cups cake flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil

Glaze

  • 1 cup powdered sugar (for the glaze)
  • 2 tablespoons whole milk
  • 1/2 teaspoon lemon extract
  • pinch of kosher salt
  • lemon zest for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 9"x 5" loaf pan with cooking spray and line with parchment paper. Allowing extra so the parchment hangs over the sides for easy removal. No need to spray the parchment. Just spray the inside of the loaf pan so the parchment will stay put. You'll want to have the oven preheated and the pan lined and ready to go before the batter is ready. You want to get the batter into the pan and then into the oven as soon as it is mixed.
  2. In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine 3 large eggs, 1 cup sugar, 2 tablespoons softened butter, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1 teaspoon lemon extract, and 1/3 cup lemon juice. Mix until well combined.
  3. Add 1.5 cups cake flour, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, 1/2 teaspoon baking powder, and 1/2 teaspoon salt and mix until just combined. Add 1/2 cup vegetable oil and mix until combined.
  4. Immediately pour batter into prepared loaf pan and place in preheated oven.
  5. Bake for 45-55 minutes until toothpick or cake tester inserted 1/2 way from the edge comes out clean. The top will bounce back when lightly pressed and won't jiggle!
  6. Allow the cake to cool in the pan and then remove from pan. Leave on parchment and prepare the glaze by mixing 1 cup powdered sugar with 2 tablespoons whole milk, 1/2 teaspoon of lemon extract, and a pinch of salt. Add more sugar if you prefer a thicker, sweeter icing. Glaze the cake, garnish with lemon zest if you like, slice and enjoy!
Yield: 8 Servings
Prep Time: 15 mins.
Cook time: 45 mins.
Total time: 60 mins.

Starbucks Lemon Loaf Recipe

34 comments:

  1. Love Starbucks lemon loaf! Can't wait to try this. It will be perfect for my office potluck on Tuesday.

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    1. Beckie, I hope you like it!! and it is a success at the potluck! Thanks for stopping by ~Marion

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  2. For the glaze do you use 1/2 tsp of lemon juice or extract?

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    1. Hi Brennan, I use the lemon extract in the glaze. Sorry for that booboo, and thanks so very much for catching it!! I fixed that ;). I appreciate you stopping by! Have a great week ~Marion

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  3. I made this delicious loaf cake and yes, it is so close to Starbucks it's hard to believe. My daughter was delighted because this is her favorite Starbucks guilty pleasure. I found I didn't need to bake it quite as long as the directions state...about 40 minutes in my oven it came out perfect.

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    1. So glad you liked it Renee! Thanks for stopping by and letting me know!

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  4. Hey just wanted to share my experience with tgis recipe. it was easy to make and soooo yummy. i used mini loaf pans instead of a regular one so i could give as gifts and it made 3 mini loafs. also my glaze ended up a pretty drizzle effect :)

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    Replies
    1. Thank you for stopping by and letting me know! I'm so happy it worked out and what a great idea to give as gifts!! I love that!! I so appreciate you taking the time to comment! Thanks again!! ~Marion

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    2. how long did you bake the mini loaf pans?

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  5. I am SUCH a big lemon fan, especially in the spring and summer! I can't wait to give this a try. It would be perfect with a cup of coffee and some fresh berries in the morning.

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    1. Thanks for stopping by, Maggie! I hope you like it :)

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  6. Hi, would it work to use this recipe for mini bundt cakes? Would I keep the same oven temperature just change the amount of time in the oven?

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    Replies
    1. Hi Isabelle! Yes, you would leave the oven temp the same and watch them carefully. I would recommend checking them at 20 minutes and keep an eye on them. They will be done when the top bounces back when lightly pressed. This cake will be lovely in a mini bundt form! I hope you love it and please let me know how it turns out. Thanks so much for the great question! ~Marion

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    2. Hi Marion, Thanks for the quick response! Instead of taking them out at 20 minutes @ 350 f I took them out at 15 minutes. I've done your recipe dozens of times and the mini bundts were definitely as good as the typical loaf!

      Thanks

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    3. Great! I'm so glad they turned out! Thanks for letting me know, Isabelle! I'm so glad you like the recipe - it is one of our faves. My mom is always asking for it and now that she lives just 3 miles away instead of a 3 hour plane ride away, I make it a lot more haha

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  7. I want to make this and add blueberries. Is there anything I should alter?

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    Replies
    1. I have not made this with blueberries, but you should be fine with adding about a cup of blueberries to this recipe, Sharon. Be sure to coat the blueberries in about a tablespoon of flour first. This will help keep them from falling to the bottom when baking. I'd love to hear how it turns out! Thanks so much for stopping by today! Have a safe and happy new year!

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  8. I want to add fresh blueberries to this recipe. Is there anything I should alter?

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  9. I've been craving lemon cake and I will definitely be making a lemon loaf with your recipe! Looks incredible! Pinning it for later!

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  10. I have never had the Starbucks lemon loaf but I know I would prefer your homemade version!

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  11. This looks pretty and delicious! I am with you on the lemon head candies. I used to get them as a kid...I think they were 5 cents for a whole box...lol.

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  12. This is a dangerous recipe for me. One of my absolute favorite things is Starbuck Lemon Loaf. Can't wait to try it! Your version looks just like it!

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  13. love the Starbucks lemon loaf, I bet this taste even better than theres. Sounds like you mom has connections, looks like a great recipe.

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  14. I love this lemon loaf I can't wait to try your version of it!

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  15. You definitely would win the best-loved-child status with this lovely loaf. Appreciate your tips for lemon loaf perfection =)

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  16. I became a big fan of Starbucks Lemon loaf a long time ago when my daughter first introduced me to them. So much lovely lemon flavor. Now I can make it at home! Thanks for sharing your recipe!

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  17. What an absolutely prefect slice of lemony deliciousness!

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  18. I'm not a huge starbucks fan but I know I would be a big fan of this delicious lemon loaf.

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  19. Oh Yum! Looks delicious! I love their Lemon Loaf. I will make this one this week.

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    1. I hope you like it as much as we do, Janet! Thanks for stopping by 😊

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  20. I have been searching for the Starbucks Lemon Loaf recipe forever. I think I just found the best one. Thanks for sharing!

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    Replies
    1. That's wonderful Elizabeth!! So glad you like it!! Thanks for stopping by. Have a wonderful weekend -Marion

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