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Copycat Starbucks Lemon Loaf

This Copycat Starbucks Lemon Loaf is a refreshing lemon dessert. It is a moist and buttery pound cake filled with zesty lemon and topped with a sweet lemon glaze.

copycat starbucks lemon loaf slice on table

Copycat Starbucks Lemon Loaf

I have a confession to make – I love Starbucks.

If I had to choose one dessert from there, it would be the Cranberry Bliss Bars first and the Lemon Loaf cake second. I also really love the Starbucks Cool Lime Refresher but they don’t carry it anymore!

I especially love the lemon loaf during spring and summer because of the lemon flavor.

copycat starbucks lemon loaf slice on table

That is what inspired me to make my own homemade copycat recipe for the Starbucks Lemon Loaf.

Aside from being able to enjoy as much cake as you want, it is also entirely budget friendly since you can make this at home for a lot less!

copycat starbucks lemon loaf slice on table

How to Make A Copycat Starbucks Lemon Loaf

Ingredients:

  • All-purpose flour
  • Baking powder
  • Baking soda
  • Salt
  • Unsalted butter, softened
  • Granulated sugar
  • Eggs
  • Vanilla extract
  • Lemon extract
  • Fresh Lemon
  • Lemon juice
  • Sour cream
  • Powdered sugar
  • Cream or Milk

Equipment Needed:

  • Loaf pan
  • Hand or stand mixer
  • Non stick cooking spray

How to Make It:

Preheat the oven to 350

Spray a loaf pan with non stick baking spray and set aside

In a medium bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients and set aside.

In the bowl of a stand mixer, cream the butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy (about 4-5 mins)

Add in the eggs one at a time, beating after each until incorporated and scraping down the bowl after adding.

Add in all flavorings (vanilla, lemon juice, zest and extract) Add in half of the dry ingredients and mix until combined.

Add in sour cream and mix well.

Add in the remaining dry ingredients.

Pour the batter into the loaf pan and bake for 45-55 mins until skewer comes out clean.

Cool completely before adding icing.

To Make The Icing:

In a medium bowl, whisk together all of the ingredients until a thick icing forms. If the icing is too thick add a teaspoon of cream or milk to thin it out.

If icing becomes too thin add more powdered sugar a bit more lemon juice.

Once the icing has hardened, you can slice and serve right away. Enjoy!

Things to Note:

  • When adjusting the flavor profiles for the glaze, be sure to taste it so that it’s not too sweet not too tart.
  • If you don’t have sour cream you can also use buttermilk.
  • Cover leftovers in an airtight container to ensure the cake does not dry out or crumble.
copycat starbucks lemon loaf slice on table
Copycat Starbucks Lemon Loaf

Copycat Starbucks Lemon Loaf

This Copycat Starbucks Lemon Loaf is a refreshing lemon dessert. It is a moist and buttery pound cake filled with zesty lemon and topped with a sweet lemon glaze.

Ingredients

For The Lemon Loaf

  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon lemon extract
  • zest of 1 large lemon
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1/3 cup sour cream

For The Lemon Icing

  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon cream or milk

Instructions

For The Cake Loaf

  1. Preheat the oven to 350
  2. Spray a loaf pan with non stick baking spray and set aside
  3. In a medium bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients and set aside.
  4. In the bowl of a stand mixer, cream the butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy (about 4-5 mins)
  5. Add in the eggs one at a time, beating after each until incorporated and scraping down the bowl after adding.
  6. Add in all flavorings (vanilla, lemon juice, zest and extract) Add in half of the dry ingredients and mix until combined.
  7. Add in sour cream and mix well.
  8. Add in the remaining dry ingredients.
  9. Pour the batter into the loaf pan and bake for 45-55 mins until skewer comes out clean.
  10. Cool completely before adding icing.

For The Lemon Glaze

  1. In a medium bowl, whisk together all of the ingredients until a thick icing forms. If the icing is too thick add a teaspoon of cream or milk to thin it out.
  2. If icing becomes too thin add more powdered sugar a bit more lemon juice.
  3. Once the icing has hardened, you can slice and serve right away. Enjoy!

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