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Starbuck’s Lemon Loaf

This Copycat Starbuck’s Lemon Loaf is homemade and full of lemon flavor with a simple lemon glaze on top that makes this better than Starbuck’s!

BETTER THAN STARBUCK’S

I love creating copycat recipes. It’s always nice when you can recreate a recipe that you love at home. It’s not only way cheaper but you will also have plenty leftover to have for later! This copycat Starbuck’s Lemon Loaf is hands down, one of my favorite recreations ever! It turned out so good that I honestly think it’s even better than the Starbuck’s version!

closeup photo of sliced lemon loaf bread on a platter.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ’S)

Is Starbuck’s Lemon Loaf a pound cake or a bread?

Starbuck’s Lemon Loaf is more similar in texture to a pound cake versus a bread.

What is a substitute for lemon extract?

For this recipe, I used lemon extract in the icing. You can skip the lemon extract if you prefer. You could add a little lemon zest to the icing or a little lemon juice as well instead of the lemon extract.

Can lemon loaf be made gluten free?

Yes. I have not tested it myself but readers have had success using Bob’s Red Mill Gluten-Free Flour. If you try it out, please let me know how it worked for you!

Can lemon loaf be made in mini loaf pans?

Absolutely! Separate the batter into mini loaf pans that have been coated in nonstick cooking spray. Bake at 350F degrees for about 30 minutes. Loaves should spring back to the touch and an inserted toothpick should come out clean.

Can you double this lemon loaf recipe?

Yes. Just evenly divide the batter between two loaf pans or you can make it in a bundt pan as well. Baking time should be about the same but the best way to tell when a cake is done is the toothpick method. A toothpick inserted should come out clean.

Can you freeze Starbuck’s Lemon Loaf?

Yes! I think it’s best to freeze it in slices. That way you just pull out a slice whenever you have a craving. Wrap each slice up really well in plastic wrap then place in a freezer ziploc bag. When ready to eat, take out a slice and pop it into the refrigerator the night before and it will be ready for you when you wake in the morning!

slices of glazed lemon loaf on a white plate.

INGREDIENTS NEEDED: (FULL RECIPE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE POST)

  • eggs
  • sugar
  • sour cream or Greek yogurt
  • vegetable oil
  • lemon zest
  • lemon extract
  • all-purpose flour
  • baking powder
  • salt
  • powdered sugar
  • lemon juice
lemon juice, flour, sour cream, eggs, sugar, lemon zest, oil, powdered sugar.

HOW TO MAKE STARBUCK’S LEMON LOAF

Preheat oven to 350F. Spray a 9×5-inch loaf pan with floured no-stick cooking spray.In a large bowl, add the eggs, sugar, sour cream, oil and whisk vigorously until smooth and combined.

eggs, sugar, sour cream, eggs mixed together in a bowl.

Finally, add the lemon zest, lemon extract, and stir well to combine.

lemon juice and lemon zest added to lemon cake batter.

Then, stir in flour, baking powder, salt, and stir until just combined. It’s okay if it’s a bit lumpy.

all purpose flour added to lemon loaf batter in a clear bowl.

Pour batter into prepared loaf pan. Bake for about 50 to 52 minutes. Optional: In the last 10 minutes of baking, tent pan with foil (loosely drape a sheet of foil over pan) to prevent excessive browning on the top and sides of bread before center cooks through.

lemon loaf batter poured into glass baking dish.

Allow loaf to cool in pan on top of a wire rack for at least 30 minutes before turning out onto cooling rack to finish cooling before glazing. For the glaze, in a medium bowl, combine the powdered sugar and lemon juice until smooth and combined. You may need to play with the sugar and lemon juice amounts a bit for desired consistency and flavor (I prefer mine to be thick.) Evenly spread or drizzle glaze over bread before slicing and serving.

lemon glaze drizzled over whole lemon loaf on a white platter.

Then slice and serve!

two lemon loaf slices on a white plate with a lemon in the background.

Cook’s Notes: Cake will keep airtight at room temperature for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 6 months. Don’t store it in the fridge because it’ll dry out.

Easy Homemade Copycat Starbuck's Lemon Loaf recipe, sliced on a white platter.

WANT MORE RECIPES? TRY THESE!

Copycat Starbuck's Lemon Loaf recipe

Starbuck’s Lemon Loaf

This Copycat Starbuck's Lemon Loaf is homemade and full of lemon flavor with a lemon glaze on top that makes it even better than Starbuck's!
4.87 from 84 votes
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 6

Ingredients

For the cake:

For the lemon glaze:

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350F degrees. Spray a 9×5-inch loaf pan with floured no-stick cooking spray.
  • In a large bowl, add the eggs, sugar, sour cream, oil and whisk vigorously until smooth and combined. Finally, add the lemon zest, lemon extract, and stir well to combine.
  • Then, stir in flour, baking powder, salt, and stir until just combined. It’s okay if it’s a bit lumpy. Pour batter into prepared loaf pan. Bake for about 50 to 52 minutes.
  • Optional: In the last 10 minutes of baking, tent pan with foil (loosely drape a sheet of foil over pan) to prevent excessive browning on the top and sides of bread before center cooks through.
  • Allow loaf to cool in pan on top of a wire rack for at least 30 minutes before turning out onto cooling rack to finish cooling before glazing.
  • For the glaze, in a medium bowl, combine the powdered sugar and lemon juice until smooth and combined. You may need to play with the sugar and lemon juice amounts a bit for desired consistency and flavor (I prefer mine to be thick.)
  • Evenly spread or drizzle glaze over bread before slicing and serving.

Video

YouTube video

Notes

  • Loaf will keep fresh in and airtight at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 6 months. Don’t store it in the fridge because it will dry out.
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Calories: 585kcal | Carbohydrates: 79g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 28g | Sodium: 258mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 54g

Nutritional Disclaimer

“The Country Cook” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories and other nutritional values can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.

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Originally published: April 2017
Updated and republished: February 2022

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Recipe Rating




84 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Absolutely delicious! I made 6 loaves for a huge banquet at my son’s school. I thought maybe I made way too much but they ate ALL of it!! So many asked me for the recipe so I gave them your site. So much better than Starbucks LOL