Copycat Starbucks Lemon Loaf

There's no need to head to your favorite coffee shop to enjoy a slice of classic pound cake! That's because you can easily make copycat Starbucks lemon loaf at home for a fraction of the price. This simple dessert recipe is packed with lemon flavor in the light, crumbly cake, and smooth glaze on top. And since it can be prepared with a handful of common pantry ingredients, you probably have everything you need to make it in your kitchen right now!

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What Do I Need to Make Copycat Starbucks Lemon Loaf?

Enjoy a slice of your favorite Starbucks cake from your home with this easy recipe! Instead of heading to the drive-through when you have a craving for lemon cake, step into your kitchen and gather up these ingredients: 

• Flour
• Baking powder
• Baking soda
• Salt
• Butter
• Sugar
• Eggs
• Lemon extract
• Lemon zest
• Lemon juice
• Sour cream
• Powdered sugar

Looking for more delicious Starbucks recipes? Give these reader favorites a try!

Starbucks Caramel Apple Spice Recipe | Starbucks Tiramisu Frappuccino Recipe | Starbucks Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso Recipe

How Do I Make Copycat Starbucks Lemon Loaf?

Once you bake lemon loaf at home, you'll never need to order it at Starbucks again. And since this recipe is so easy to make, you can bake it whenever you crave a sweet treat. Just follow these simple instructions to bake your fresh lemon cake at home right now.

Step One: Cream the Butter

Combine the butter and sugar in a medium bowl and beat until light and fluffy. Add the eggs to the bowl, one at a time, and beat the batter between each addition. Then, add the lemon extract, lemon zest, lemon juice, and sour cream. Beat to mix all the ingredients together.

Step Two: Add the Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Add the dry ingredients to the batter and mix until just combined, being careful not to over-mix the ingredients.

Step Three: Bake the Lemon Loaf

Spread the batter into the loaf pan and bake at 350 degrees for one hour. The cake is done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Step Four: Top with Glaze

Allow the lemon loaf to cool completely in the pan, then remove it to a wire rack. Prepare the glaze by whisking together the powdered sugar and lemon juice until the mixture is smooth and lump-free. Spread the glaze over the top of the cake and allow it to set and harden before slicing and serving.

Lemon Loaf Baking Tips

Once you try baking this easy lemon pound cake recipe, it will be your go-to dessert all spring! And with the help of these baking tips, you'll have all the information you need to prepare a delicious lemony treat the first time you make it.

• Cover the top with foil. Since this pound cake recipe is prepared in a loaf pan, it needs a long baking time to ensure the center is cooked through. That means the top of the cake may begin to brown before the center is finished cooking. If needed, you can cover the pan with foil for the last half of the cook time.
• Adjust the amount of lemon for extra flavor. This recipe is packed with lemon flavor and lemon zest, juice, and extract. But if you want even more citrus flavor in each bite, you can increase the amount of lemon zest or extract.
• Add food coloring for a brighter yellow cake. This recipe uses lemon juice and extract, giving the cake a light yellow tint. But if you want your lemon loaf to be brighter, add some yellow food coloring. I suggest using gel food coloring to get a bright color without altering the cake's texture.
• Don't overmix the batter. As you add each ingredient-especially the dry ingredients-be careful not to overmix. If you mix the batter too much, the cake will turn dry and dense. 

How Do You Store Lemon Loaf?

You can enjoy your lemon pound cake for up to five days after baking, meaning you'll want to store it properly to make the most out of each slice! Make sure the cake is cooled completely, then transfer the slices to an airtight container. Keep the container in a cool, dry place, like a cabinet or pantry for best results.

You can also freeze the lemon loaf for long-term storage. Arrange the slices in a single layer on a baking sheet and place it in the freezer. When the slices are frozen solid, you can transfer them to an airtight container or freezer bag and keep them frozen for up to 6 months. Just allow the slices to defrost at room temperature before eating.