Starbucks Lemon Loaf Recipe (2024)

This Copycat Starbucks Lemon Loaf Recipe is a great version of the lemon loaf cake from Starbucks. We have perfected the recipe so you can make it at home.

Whenever I go to Starbucks for a cup of coffee, I have to order a slice of their lemon loaf bread. My favorite part of the cake is the lemon glaze that is perfectly topped on each slice. This lemon loaf cake is always moist and the perfect cake to have with my coffee.

My entire family agreed that this copycat Starbucks version needs to be made all the time. It is that good. If you love lemon recipes, also try Lemon Cake Recipe.

Recipe Tips

• You can also use a bundt pan to make lemon pound cake. Just make sure to adjust the bake time for this cake recipe.

• Try making mini loaves. This would be adorable for gift giving. You can wrap each loaf in cellophane and tie with ribbon. It would make a great gift for friends, neighbors, coworkers and more.

• It is important to adjust the glaze accordingly. You may need to add more milk or powdered sugar to get to the consistency you prefer.

• Make sure to not let the top brown. You don’t want the top of the lemon loaf to get too brown while it bakes. Check on it periodically and if it is starting to brown, cover it with foil.

What if the edges are browning but the center isn’t done?

• Make sure your pan isn’t too close to your heating unit. Your pan should be placed in the center of the oven.
• Place a piece of foil lightly on the edges of your pan to finish baking your lemon loaf.
• Reduce your oven temperature about 20-25 degrees F.

Ingredients:

FOR THE CAKE:

• Flour
• Salt
• Baking Soda
• Baking Powder
• Buttersoftened at room temperature
• Sour Cream
• Sugar
• Eggs
• Lemon Extract
• Zest from 1 Large Lemon

FOR THE GLAZE:

• Powder sugar
• Milk
• Fresh Lemon Juice

How to make Starbucks Lemon Loaf Cake:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and line a 9 in loaf pan with parchment paper or spray with a non-stick cooking spray or vegetable oil.

• In a large bowl, cream together the butter, sour cream and sugar with a hand held or stand up mixer until the mixture is light and fluffy.

• Slowly add in the eggs into the mixture one at a time mixing in between each egg. Then stir in the lemon extract.

• In a separate medium bowl, combine the salt, flour, baking powder and baking soda.

• Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until just combined. Then gently mix in the lemon zest.

• Pour the mixture into the loaf pan and bake uncovered for 50-60 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the middle of the loaf comes out clean.

• Let the cake cool for 10 to 15 minutes in the pan and then move to a wire rack to cool completely.

• While the cake is cooling, prepare the glaze by whisking together the powdered sugar, milk and lemon juice in a medium size bowl. Add in more powdered sugar or milk as needed for the desired consistency.

• Once the cake has cooled, pour the glaze over the top, slice and enjoy!

The Lemon Glaze – My favorite part!

The Lemon glaze on top of of the lemon loaf has to be my favorite part. The thick icing is made with powdered sugar, lemon juice and milk. You can also use in a drop of lemon extract.

This lemon glaze is flexible as you can make it thicker or thinner by adjusting the milk. I like to taste prior to glazing my lemon bread so I can add more lemon juice or extract to get that perfect lemon taste.

Can I make this recipe in a mini loaf pan?

I love making the lemon loaf in mini loaf pan. It makes the perfect size for gift giving. Using mini loaf pan makes for a quick bread recipe.

My kids’ teachers even like receiving it with a coffee shop gift card. If you don’t have a loaf pan, we have used a Bundt pan and a muffin pan to make this recipe. They both turned just as good.

Making the lemon loaf in a mini loaf pan, it does reduce your cooking time to about 30 minutes.

Expert Tips

• The lemon extract is needed for that strong lemon flavor that is similar to the Starbucks cake. If you leave it out, it will still be delicious but it will not taste like Starbucks.
  Also, don’t add extra lemon extract as it will make it taste like fake lemon flavor.

• Use room temperature ingredients. The lemon loaf will be soft and fluffier once baked if you do this.

• Don’t overmix the batter. You want it to be just combined.

• The sour cream helps to make this recipe really moist. Don’t substitute it or reduce the amount.

• You can also add in about a teaspoon of vanilla extract.

How to Store:

Wrap the cake in plastic wrap. It will keep up to 4 days stored at room temperature.

I don’t recommend refrigerating this loaf. It will make it dry out. It is best stored at room temperature.

How to freeze Lemon Loaf:

• Wrap the loaf in plastic wrap tightly. Then wrap again in foil. I like heavy duty foil but you can use regular if that is all you have.

• Put the wrapped loaf in a freezer bag and seal pressing as much air out as possible. It will keep up to 2 to 3 months in the freezer for the best flavor.

• If you want to freeze individual slices, place them on a baking sheet. Put in the freezer for 2 hours. Freezing them in individual slices, allows you to have a slice without having to thawing a whole loaf.

• Then wrap each slice in plastic wrap and again in foil. You can place the slices inside an air tight freezer container or bag. Since they have been frozen for a few hours first, the glaze should stay intact and the slices will still look nice.

I absolutely love having slices in the freezer. It is perfect to grab when I am craving Starbucks lemon loaf. Plus, it is nice when guests are coming and you want to serve a special treat.

More Copycat Desserts:

Do you love copycat recipes? We love trying to recreate our favorite recipes from our favorite restaurants. Here are some of our favorites:

• Starbucks Cake Pop Recipe
• Copycat Little Debbie Brownies Recipe
• Starbucks Pumpkin Bread Recipe
• Starbucks Brownies Recipe
• Ding Dong Cake Copycat Recipe

Print recipe here for Starbucks Lemon Loaf:

More Lemon Recipes:

• Lemon Lush Dessert
• Lemon Cupcake Recipe
• Easy Lemon Brownie Recipes
• 2 Ingredient Lemon Bars