Copycat Starbucks Lemon Loaf

• servings: 8 servings
• active time: 15 minutes
• total time: 1 hour 35 minutes

Ingredients

3 large eggs

1 cup white granulated sugar

1 cup sour cream (or plain Greek yogurt)

½ cup canola oil (or vegetable oil)

2 tablespoons lemon zest (from about 2 lemons)

1 to 2 tablespoons pure lemon extract (see Notes)

1½ cups all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

½ teaspoon salt

1 cup confectioners’ sugar

3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (more or less to taste)

Directions

Make the Loaf:

Preheat your oven to 350°F. Spray a 9x5-inch loaf pan with floured baking spray, or grease and flour it well. Set aside.

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, sugar, and sour cream until smooth and combined.

Slowly drizzle in the oil while whisking. Stir until fully incorporated.

Add the lemon zest and lemon extract, and whisk to blend. (Reminder: lemon extract is key here—not juice!)

Add the flour, baking powder, and salt. Stir gently until just combined. Some small lumps are totally fine—overmixing will make the loaf tough.

Pour the batter into your prepared pan. Smooth the top lightly with a spatula.

Bake for 50 to 52 minutes, or until the top is domed and golden, and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.

Around the 40-minute mark, tent the loaf loosely with foil to prevent over-browning while the center finishes baking.

Let the loaf cool in the pan on a wire rack for at least 30 minutes (or up to a few hours) before removing to cool completely.

Make the Glaze:

Place the powdered sugar in a small bowl.

Slowly add lemon juice, whisking until smooth. Adjust sugar or juice for your preferred glaze consistency—thicker for a nice opaque drizzle, thinner if you want it to soak in.

Once the loaf is completely cool, drizzle glaze evenly over the top. Bonus tip: Save some extra glaze and spread it on sliced pieces like you would butter—game changer.

Nutrition

• Calories: 446 kcal
• Total Fat: 21 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 76 mg
• Sodium: 194 mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 60 g
• Dietary Fiber: 1 g
• Total Sugars: 41 g
• Protein: 5 g