Copycat Starbucks Lemon Loaf

Bring the irresistible taste of Starbucks Lemon Loaf to your home with this easy-to-make recipe. A perfect blend of zesty lemon and moist texture, topped with a simple lemon icing – enjoy the homemade version of this beloved Starbucks treat!

I can’t sing the praises of lemon recipes enough! Lemon is so zesty and just the perfect addition to everything. Try out this Chinese Lemon Chicken , this Lemon Tarragon Pasta Salad , or these Perfect Lemon Bars , and you will agree!

The top view of a lemon loaf on a cooling rack topped with a lemon glaze and sliced. - 1

What is a Starbucks Lemon Loaf?

If you haven’t realized this by now, I am a big fan of Starbucks. Not only are their drinks delightful (ahem, pink drink , I am talking to you!), but their food items are so delicious! This lemon loaf is a cross between a quick bread and a pound cake. It’s moist on the inside, packed with lemon flavor, and then drizzled with a lemon glaze.

This bread complements anything, and I love serving it up as a breakfast , at brunch, or even dessert with their cream cheese danishes ! And when I tell you this is better than the original, believe me! I mean it. Save yourself a trip to Starbucks for a single slice and make a whole loaf of this at home!

What is a Starbucks Lemon Loaf Made of?

The ingredients in this recipe are easy, and I bet you already have most of them in your kitchen! Check out the recipe card at the bottom of the post for all of the exact measurements.

Flour: I used all-purpose flour in this recipe.
Salt: The salt enhances all of the flavors in the lemon loaf.
Baking Powder: This acts as a leavening agent and keeps the bread nice and soft.
Sugar: The sugar balances out the tart taste of the lemon.
Lemon Zest: Lemon zest makes this recipe so fresh.
Sour Cream: When you use sour cream in this loaf, it is nice and moist.
Vanilla Extract: A splash of vanilla is so delicious with the lemon flavor.
Eggs: I always use large eggs whenever I am baking.
Lemon Juice: This helps enhance the lemon flavor in the bread and the glaze.
Butter: I use unsalted butter in this recipe.
Heavy Whipping Cream: This is used in the glaze to keep it nice and creamy.
Powdered Sugar: I use powdered sugar because it dissolves easily and keeps the glaze smooth.

How to Make Starbucks Lemon Loaf at Home

The best part about copycat recipes is that you get so much more out of them! Instead of just one slice, you get to enjoy an entire loaf. And trust me, it’s so delicious you will be tempted to eat the whole thing!

Prep: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, spray a loaf pan (mine is 9×5 ) with baking spray, and set aside.
Whisk: Whisk together the flour, salt, and baking powder in a large bowl.
Combine until Fragrant: In a separate bowl, combine the lemon zest and sugar, mixing with your fingers until the zest is coated with the sugar and the mixture is very fragrant.
Beat: In a third bowl, beat together the sour cream, vanilla extract, eggs, lemon juice, and butter. Mix until it is well combined, then beat in the sugar and lemon zest mixture.
Bake: Add in the dry ingredients and beat until it all comes together smoothly. Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and bake for 50-60 minutes. The loaf should be browned slightly, and a toothpick inserted into the middle should come out clean.
Cool: Remove the loaf from the oven and let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Remove the loaf from the pan and let it cool to room temperature before icing.
Add Icing: To make the icing, in a bowl, mix together the lemon zest, lemon juice, heavy whipping cream, and powdered sugar. Ice the loaf when it is cooled, and enjoy!

A collage of 4 pictures showing how to make the batter for lemon oaf. - 2

Tips and Variations

Here are some ideas on how you can change up this Starbucks Lemon Loaf recipe!

More Lemon Flavor: Add a tiny bit of lemon extract to the lemon juice to give it some extra zing!
Sour Cream: If you don’t have sour cream, you can use full-fat plain yogurt instead!
Add some crunch: If you want, add pecans, walnuts, or sliced almonds to the top of the bread just after the icing. They add in a delicious crunch if that’s your thing!

The side view of glaze dripping off a loaf of bread. - 3

Can I Freeze Starbucks Lemon Loaf?

Yes! Once you have added the glaze to your loaf, place the loaf on a baking sheet and put it in your freezer for 2 hours. Then, remove the loaf and wrap it in plastic wrap and store it in an airtight container. Don’t forget to label it with the date! It will last about 3 months. When you are ready to eat the loaf, let it thaw it at room temperature.

The top view of slices Starbucks lemon loaf on a cooling rack with a white glaze on top. - 4

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftovers of this Starbucks Lemon Loaf in an airtight container at room temperature. It will last about four days.

More Delicious Lemon Recipes

Side Dishes

One-Pan Creamy Lemon Orzo

25 minutes

Dinner

Lemon Chicken Casserole

45 minutes

Recipe Skill Levels

7UP Bundt Cake

1 hour 40 minutes

Breakfast

Strawberry Cinnamon Rolls with Lemon Cream Cheese Glaze

1 hour 10 minutes

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Ingredients1x2x3x

▢ 1 ½ cups all purpose flour
▢ ¼ teaspoon salt
▢ 2 teaspoons baking powder
▢ 1 cup granulated sugar
▢ 2 tablespoons lemon zest
▢ 1 cup sour cream
▢ 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
▢ 3 large eggs
▢ 1 tablespoon lemon juice
▢ ⅔ cup butter, melted

Lemon icing

▢ 1 tablespoon lemon zest
▢ 1 tablespoon lemon juice
▢ 2 tablespoon heavy whipping cream
▢ 2 cups powdered sugar, more or less for consistency

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, spray a loaf pan (mine is 9×5) with baking spray, and set aside.
Whisk together 1 ½ cups all purpose flour , ¼ teaspoon salt , and 2 teaspoons baking powder in a large bowl.
In a separate bowl, combine the 2 tablespoons lemon zest and 1 cup granulated sugar . Mix with your fingers until the zest is coated with the sugar and the mixture is very fragrant.
In a third bowl, beat together 1 cup sour cream , 1 teaspoon vanilla extract , 3 large eggs , 1 tablespoon lemon juice , and ⅔ cup butter, . Mix until well combined, then beat in the sugar and lemon zest mixture.
Add in the dry ingredients and beat until it all comes together smoothly. Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and bake for 50-60 minutes. The loaf is done when it is browned slightly, and a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean.
Remove the loaf from the oven and allow it to cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Remove the loaf from the pan and let it cool to room temperature before icing.
To make the icing, in a bowl, mix together 1 tablespoon lemon zest , 1 tablespoon lemon juice , 2 tablespoon heavy whipping cream , and 2 cups powdered sugar, . Ice the loaf when it is cooled, and enjoy!

Video

Notes

Nutrition

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info