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- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour - 1 teaspoon baking powder - ½ teaspoon baking soda - ¼ teaspoon salt - ½ cup unsalted butter, softened - 1 cup granulated sugar - 2 large eggs - 1 tablespoon lemon zest - ¼ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice - ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract - ½ cup plain Greek yogurt - 9x5-inch loaf pan - Mixing bowls - Electric mixer - Measuring cups and spoons - Spatula Gather these ingredients before you begin. The dry ingredients provide structure. The wet ingredients add moisture and flavor. Using fresh lemon juice and zest is key for the best taste. I love the bright flavor they bring. Greek yogurt keeps the loaf moist. It also adds a nice tanginess. You will need a loaf pan to bake the lemon loaf. Make sure it is 9x5 inches for the perfect shape. Mixing bowls help keep things organized. An electric mixer makes blending easy and quick. Measuring cups and spoons ensure accuracy. A spatula is great for scraping every last bit of batter. This list gives you everything to create that lovely lemon loaf. For the full recipe, check the recipe link! - Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) - Prepare the loaf pan by greasing or lining Start by preheating your oven. This step is key for even baking. Next, grab a 9x5-inch loaf pan. You can grease it with butter or line it with parchment paper. This helps the loaf come out easily after baking. - Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt - Whisk thoroughly and set aside In a medium bowl, mix the dry ingredients. Use 1 ½ cups of flour, 1 teaspoon of baking powder, ½ teaspoon of baking soda, and ¼ teaspoon of salt. Whisk them well. This ensures that everything blends evenly. Set this bowl aside for now. - Cream softened butter and granulated sugar - Beat until light and fluffy Now, take a large bowl and add ½ cup of softened butter and 1 cup of granulated sugar. Use an electric mixer to cream them together. Beat on medium speed for about 3-4 minutes. The mixture should become light and fluffy. It should look pale and creamy. - Add eggs one at a time - Mix in lemon zest, juice, and vanilla extract Next, add 2 large eggs to the butter-sugar mix. Add them one at a time. Make sure to mix well after each egg. After that, add 1 tablespoon of lemon zest, ¼ cup of lemon juice, and ½ teaspoon of vanilla extract. Blend these until everything is well combined. - Gradually add dry ingredients and Greek yogurt - Gently mix until just combined Now, it’s time to combine the wet and dry mixtures. Gradually add the flour mix to the butter mixture. Alternate this with ½ cup of plain Greek yogurt. Start and end with the flour mix. Gently mix until just combined. Be careful not to overmix. You want the loaf to stay tender. - Pour batter into prepared pan - Bake for 50-60 minutes until golden brown Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan. Use a spatula to smooth the surface. Now, place the pan in your preheated oven. Bake for 50-60 minutes. The loaf should be golden brown and a toothpick should come out clean when inserted. For the full recipe, check the earlier section. Enjoy the process of making this delicious Starbucks Copycat Lemon Loaf! To make your lemon loaf soft, avoid over-mixing. Mix just until the ingredients combine. This keeps the loaf tender. Also, make sure your butter is softened, not melted. Softened butter helps create a light and fluffy mix. Always use fresh ingredients for the best taste. Fresh lemons give your loaf a bright flavor. You can also try adding poppy seeds. They add a nice crunch and look great in the loaf. Before serving, dust the top with powdered sugar. This adds a nice touch and looks pretty. For extra sweetness, drizzle a lemon glaze over the top. Mix powdered sugar with lemon juice to make the glaze. It adds a delicious finish to your loaf. {{image_4}} If you want a gluten-free lemon loaf, you can easily swap the all-purpose flour. Use a gluten-free flour blend instead. This blend usually has a mix of flours that mimic the texture of wheat flour. Check if it has xanthan gum, which helps bind the loaf. You can get creative with flavors! Add a cup of blueberries or raspberries into the batter. This will give your loaf a fruity twist. If you crave a stronger lemon taste, mix in some lemon extract. It enhances the citrus flavor nicely. Want muffins instead? You can transform this lemon loaf recipe into muffins! Just pour the batter into a muffin tin. Bake them for about 20-25 minutes instead of an hour. This way, you get lovely, portable treats that are perfect for breakfast or snacks. For the best results, keep an eye on them as they bake. Store the lemon loaf in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. This helps keep it fresh and moist. If you plan to eat it within a few days, this is the best option. Just make sure the lid seals tightly. You can refrigerate the lemon loaf for up to 1 week in a sealed container. This is great if you want it to last longer. Just slice the loaf when you are ready to enjoy it. The cold will keep the flavors fresh. If you want to save the loaf for later, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and foil. You can freeze it for up to 3 months. To thaw, just leave it in the fridge overnight or at room temperature for a few hours. This way, you can enjoy the taste of your homemade Starbucks Copycat Lemon Loaf anytime! Use a toothpick; if it comes out clean, the loaf is ready. This simple test lets you check for doneness without cutting the loaf. If the toothpick has wet batter, bake a bit longer. Fresh lemon juice is recommended for the best flavor. It adds a bright taste that bottled juice often lacks. Fresh juice also has more aroma, which enhances the loaf's overall scent. Ensure not to overbake and try adding more yogurt or a glaze for moisture. Overbaking makes the loaf dry, so keep an eye on the time. A simple lemon glaze can add moisture and flavor back to the loaf. Mix powdered sugar with lemon juice until the desired consistency is reached. Start with a cup of powdered sugar and add lemon juice slowly. This keeps the glaze thick yet pourable, perfect for drizzling. Yes, the recipe is straightforward and perfect for baking novices. With simple steps and easy ingredients, anyone can make this delicious loaf. If you follow the full recipe closely, you will have great results. In this post, we explored the simple steps to make a delicious lemon loaf. We covered the necessary dry and wet ingredients, along with the tools to get started. You learned how to prepare, mix, bake, and even enhance your loaf. Don't forget the tips for storage and possible variations. Each step helps you bake a perfect lemon loaf that impresses everyone. Enjoy your baking adventures, and customize your recipe to make it your own!

Starbucks Copycat Lemon Loaf

Indulge in the bright and delicious flavors of this Zesty Starbucks Copycat Lemon Loaf! This easy recipe features a moist and fluffy texture, made with simple ingredients like fresh lemon juice and Greek yogurt. Perfect for any occasion, this loaf is sure to impress. Don't miss out on creating this tasty treat at home! Click through to explore the detailed recipe and bring a bit of Starbucks magic to your kitchen!
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Ingredients
  

1 ½ cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

½ teaspoon baking soda

¼ teaspoon salt

½ cup unsalted butter, softened at room temperature

1 cup granulated sugar

2 large eggs, at room temperature

1 tablespoon lemon zest (from about 2-3 lemons)

¼ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice

½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract

½ cup plain Greek yogurt

Instructions
 

Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare a 9x5-inch loaf pan by greasing it with butter or lining it with parchment paper to facilitate easy removal of the loaf after baking.

    In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Whisk the dry ingredients together thoroughly to ensure they are evenly distributed, then set the bowl aside.

      In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to cream the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar together. Beat on medium speed for about 3-4 minutes, or until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, resembling a pale, creamy consistency.

        Add the eggs to the butter-sugar mixture one at a time, blending well after each addition. Once fully incorporated, mix in the lemon zest, freshly squeezed lemon juice, and pure vanilla extract until everything is well combined.

          Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients. Alternate with spoonfuls of Greek yogurt, starting and ending with the flour mixture. Gently mix until just combined, being careful not to over mix as you want to keep the loaf tender.

            Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan, using a spatula to smooth the surface for even baking.

              Place the loaf in the preheated oven and bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean and the loaf is golden brown on top.

                Once done baking, remove the loaf from the oven and allow it to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Carefully transfer the loaf to a wire rack, letting it cool completely before slicing.

                  - Prep Time: 15 min | Total Time: 1 hr 15 min | Servings: Makes approximately 10 slices

                    - Presentation Tips: Before slicing, dust the top of the cooled loaf with powdered sugar for an elegant finish. For an extra zesty touch, serve slices with a lemon wedge on the side. Optionally, drizzle a thin lemon glaze made from powdered sugar and fresh lemon juice over the top for added sweetness and shine.