Prepare to embark on a delightful culinary journey as we unveil the secrets to creating the perfect moist lemon loaf cake. Bursting with vibrant citrus flavours and boasting a tender crumb, this recipe is a testament to the harmonious fusion of simplicity and sophistication in baking.
Whether you’re seeking to impress guests or simply craving a slice of homemade bliss, this guide will equip you with the skills and know-how to achieve lemon loaf perfection.
With its irresistible blend of citrus zest and velvety texture, this moist lemon loaf cake is a testament to the joys of homemade baking.
Whether savoured as a delightful breakfast treat or shared with loved ones over a cup of tea, this recipe promises to elevate any occasion. So, roll up your sleeves, preheat your oven, and prepare to delight in the incomparable flavours of homemade lemon loaf cake.
The details are here:
As someone who didn’t grow up with lemon loaf cake as a staple in my culinary repertoire, discovering this delightful treat during my time in the UK was a revelation.
Lemon, with its bright and zesty flavour, quickly became one of my absolute favourite flavours to explore in baking. There’s something undeniably refreshing and uplifting about the tangy essence of lemons, and when paired with the comforting softness of a perfectly baked loaf cake, it’s a match made in dessert heaven
After diving into the world of lemon loaf cakes, I stumbled upon the magic of citrus-infused baking. It’s been quite the journey, filled with lots of flour mishaps and plenty of taste-testing along the way! But hey, that’s what makes baking so much fun, right?
As I tinkered with recipes, I discovered my love for creating not just lemon loaves but also other citrus treats, like my favourite orange pound cake. There’s something about the sunny sweetness of oranges that just makes my heart sing.
Now let’s dive into this amazing recipes:
Achieving the perfect lemon flavour in your lemon loaf cake is all about balance and maximizing the natural citrus essence of the lemons. Here are some tips to ensure you capture that vibrant lemony taste:
- Fresh Lemons: Start with fresh, high-quality lemons. The zest and juice of fresh lemons will provide the most intense and authentic lemon flavour. Avoid using bottled lemon juice or artificial flavourings, as they won’t yield the same result.
- Zest Properly: Use a microplane or fine grater to zest the lemons. Be cautious to only remove the colorful outer layer of the lemon peel, avoiding the bitter white pith underneath. The zest contains the essential oils that pack the lemon flavor punch.
- Balance Sweetness: Lemon flavour shines brightest when it’s balanced with just the right amount of sweetness. While sugar is essential for structure and moisture in the cake, too much can overpower the delicate citrus notes. Aim for a recipe that balances sweetness with the tartness of the lemons.
- Fresh Lemon Juice: Use freshly squeezed lemon juice rather than bottled juice for the freshest flavor. Strain the juice to remove any seeds or pulp that could affect the texture of the cake.
- Enhance with Extracts: Consider adding a small amount of lemon extract or lemon oil to intensify the lemon flavour without adding extra liquid. These concentrated extracts can enhance the natural lemon flavour of the cake.
- Layered Flavour: Incorporate lemon flavour throughout the cake batter by adding both lemon zest and lemon juice. The zest provides aromatic oils, while the juice adds tanginess and brightness. Don’t forget to include lemon zest in the glaze if you’re using one for a boost of flavour.
- Adjust to Taste: Taste the batter before baking and adjust the lemon flavour as needed. If you prefer a stronger lemon taste, add a bit more zest or juice. Just be mindful not to alter the texture or balance of the batter too much.
Making the perfect lemon loaf cake is all about attention to detail and a few key tips to ensure your cake turns out moist, flavourful, and delicious.
Here’s a guide on how to achieve just that:
- Use Fresh Ingredients: For the best flavor, always use fresh lemons for both the zest and juice. Fresh ingredients will give your lemon loaf cake that vibrant, zesty flavor.
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Make sure your eggs and butter are at room temperature before you start mixing. Room temperature ingredients incorporate more easily, resulting in a smoother batter and a lighter texture.
- Cream Butter and Sugar Well: Creaming the softened butter and sugar together until light and fluffy is essential for incorporating air into the batter, which helps the cake rise properly and creates a tender crumb.
- Don’t Overmix: Once you start adding the dry ingredients to the wet, mix until just combined. Overmixing can lead to a dense and tough cake.
- Zest Properly: When zesting the lemons, be careful to only remove the colorful outer layer of the peel, avoiding the bitter white pith. The zest contains the flavorful oils that will infuse your cake with lemon essence.
- Use Milk and Lemon Juice: This amazing mixture adds moisture and richness to the cake. It also helps tenderize the crumb, resulting in a softer texture. Alternatively, if you prefer a richer texture, you can use yogurt as a substitute, or sour cream. I honestly prefer the mixture of the two, because is just more lemon juice, perfect for my test.
- Bake at the Right Temperature: Preheat your oven properly and bake the cake at the recommended temperature. This ensures even baking and prevents the cake from drying out.
- Test for Doneness: Use a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake to check for doneness. It should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs attached, but not wet.
- Cool Properly: Allow the cake to cool in the pan for about 5 minutes before removing it to a wire rack to cool completely. Cooling the cake properly helps it set and develop its flavour.
- Glaze or Frost: While optional, a simple lemon glaze or frosting can enhance the flavor and appearance of your lemon loaf cake. Drizzle it over the cooled cake for an extra burst of citrus sweetness.
Moist Lemon Loaf Cake
Equipment
- 9×5-inch loaf pan
Ingredients
- 150 ml milk
- 2 and ½ tablespoons lemon juice
- 200 g powder sugar
- 2 tablespoons lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 100 g unsalted butter room temperature
- 2 large eggs
- 200 g all purpose flour
- 1 and ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ⅓ teaspoons salt
Instructions
- First, prepare the milk and sugar mixture. In a glass, combine the milk with 1 tablespoon of lemon juice and mix well. Set aside for about 10 minutes until the milk thickens.
- In a bowl, mix together the powdered sugar with lemon zest and vanilla extract. Set aside, similar to the milk mixture, for about 10 minutes.
- In a medium bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside.
- Using a hand mixer or stand mixer on medium speed, cream together the softened butter and the sugar mixture until smooth, light and fluffy.
- Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition until the mixture is fluffy and creamy.
- Gradually add half of the flour mixture, half of the milk mixture, and the remaining lemon juice, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
- Add the remaining flour and milk mixture and mix until the batter is smooth and well combined.
- Pour the batter into a greased and floured loaf pan and bake in a preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) for about 45-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the centre comes out clean.
- Once baked, remove the loaf from the oven and let it cool in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
- For the decoration, mix the powdered sugar with lemon juice until you get a thick and consistent glaze. Drizzle the glaze over the cooled loaf and sprinkle with additional lemon zest if desired.
- Allow the glaze to set before slicing and serving. Enjoy your lemon loaf cake!
- Happy baking!
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I hope you enjoy baking and savouring this delightful lemon loaf cake as much as I do! If you’d like to explore more of my recipes and baking adventures, feel free to follow me on my Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram pages. I may be new to the baking scene, but I’m fuelled by my passion for creating delicious treats to share with others. Let’s bake and enjoy together!
I need to try this!