Lemon Loaf Cake Icing (Printable Version)

Moist lemon loaf bursting with citrus notes and topped with sweet, tangy icing for a comforting treat.

# What You'll Need:

→ Lemon Loaf

01 - 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 teaspoon baking powder
03 - ½ teaspoon baking soda
04 - ¼ teaspoon salt
05 - ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
06 - 1 cup granulated sugar
07 - 2 large eggs, at room temperature
08 - 2 tablespoons fresh lemon zest (from 2 lemons)
09 - ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
10 - ½ cup whole milk, at room temperature
11 - 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

→ Lemon Icing

12 - 1 cup powdered sugar, sifted
13 - 2 to 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

# How to Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and line a 9x5-inch loaf pan with parchment paper.
02 - Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl. Set aside.
03 - Using an electric mixer or whisk, beat softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
04 - Beat in eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition.
05 - Stir in lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla extract until evenly combined.
06 - Add half of the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and gently fold. Pour in milk, then add remaining dry ingredients. Mix until just combined, avoiding overmixing.
07 - Pour batter into prepared pan and smooth the surface evenly.
08 - Bake for 50 to 55 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. If the top browns too fast, tent loosely with foil after 40 minutes.
09 - Let loaf cool in pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
10 - Whisk powdered sugar with 2 tablespoons lemon juice. Adjust consistency by adding more juice if needed.
11 - Drizzle lemon icing over cooled loaf and allow it to set for 15 minutes before slicing.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • One-pot meal
  • Freezer-friendly
02 -
  • For extra lemon flavor, add ½ teaspoon lemon extract to the batter.
  • Swap whole milk for plant-based milk for a dairy-free version (ensure icing sugar is vegan if needed).
03 -
  • Ensure not to overmix the batter to keep the cake light and tender.
  • Use fresh lemon zest and juice for the most vibrant flavor.
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