Luscious Lemon Loaf Recipes

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour 2 (8 1/2 by 4 1/4 by 2 1/2-inch) loaf pans. You may also line the bottom with parchment paper, if desired.
• Cream the butter and 2 cups granulated sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. With the mixer on medium speed, add the eggs, 1 at a time, and the lemon zest.
• Sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a bowl. In another bowl, combine 1/4 cup lemon juice, the buttermilk, and vanilla. Add the flour and buttermilk mixtures alternately to the batter, beginning and ending with the flour. Divide the batter evenly between the pans, smooth the tops, and bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour, until a cake tester comes out clean.
• Combine 1/2 cup granulated sugar with 1/2 cup lemon juice in a small saucepan and cook over low heat until the sugar dissolves. When the cakes are done, allow to cool for 10 minutes. Remove the cakes from the pans and set them on a rack set over a tray or sheet pan; spoon the lemon syrup over them. Allow the cakes to cool completely.
• For the glaze, combine the confectioners' sugar and the lemon juice in a bowl, mixing with a wire whisk until smooth. Pour over the tops of the cakes and allow the glaze to drizzle down the sides.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Grease and flour a 9x5-inch loaf pan.
• Whisk flour, salt, baking powder, and baking soda in a bowl. Cream sugar and butter in a separate bowl with an electric mixer. Add eggs, lemon juice, lemon zest, lemon extract, and vanilla; beat until incorporated.
• Pour the egg mixture into the flour mixture; whisk until smooth. Add oil and mix well. Pour into the prepared loaf pan.
• Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 45 minutes. Cool on a wire rack.
• While the cake is cooling, mix powdered sugar, milk, lemon zest, and lemon extract in a bowl until smooth. Pour over the cooled loaf. Slice up the loaf when the icing sets.

Steps:

• MAKE THE LEMON CAKES
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray the sides and bottom of two 9-by-5-by-3-inch loaf pans with nonstick cooking spray. Line the bottom with parchment paper and spray the paper.
• Sift both flours, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together in a medium bowl.
• Put the sugar, eggs, lemon zest, and lemon juice in a food processor and pulse until combined. With the motor running, drizzle the butter in through the feed tube. Add the sour cream and vanilla and pulse until combined. Transfer the mixture to a large bowl.
• Sprinkle the flour mixture, one third at a time, folding gently after each addition until just combined. Do not overmix.
• Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans. Bake in the center of the oven for 20 minutes, rotate the pans, reduce the oven temperature to 325 degrees F., and bake for another 30 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the loaf comes out clean.
• Let cool in the pans for 15 minutes.
• MEANWHILE, MAKE THE LEMON SYRUP
• In a small saucepan over medium heat, heat the lemon juice and sugar until the sugar is completely dissolved. Once dissolved, continue to cook for 3 more minutes. Remove from the heat and set aside.
• Line a half sheet pan with parchment paper and invert the loaves onto the pan. Use a toothpick to poke holes in the tops and sides of the loaves.
• Brush the tops and sides of the loaves with the lemon syrup. Let the syrup soak into the cake and brush again. Let the cakes cool completely, at least 30 minutes.
• (The soaked but unglazed loaves will keep, wrapped in two layers of plastic wrap and frozen, for up to 6 weeks.)
• IF YOU LIKE, MAKE THE LEMON GLAZE
• In a small bowl, whisk together the confectioners' sugar and 4 tablespoons of the lemon juice. The mixture should be thick but pourable. If the mixture is too stiff, add up to another 2 tablespoons lemon juice and whisk again, adding small amounts of lemon juice and/or confectioners' sugar until you get the right consistency. Pour the lemon glaze over the top of each loaf and let it drip down the sides. Let the lemon glaze harden, about 15 minutes, before serving.
• The glazed loaves will keep for up to 3 days, wrapped tightly in plastic wrap, at room temperature.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Spray a 9 x 5 inch metal loaf pan with nonstick baking spray with flour.
• In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder and salt.
• Add eggs, sour cream, oil, lemon zest and vanilla to flour mixture.
• Using an electric mixer on med-low speed, heat for 1 minute, until blended.
• Scrape sides and bottom of bowl with a spatula.
• Beat on medium speed for 1 minute.
• Spread batter evenly in prepared pan.
• Bake for 50-55 minutes or until a pick inserted in the center comes out clean.
• Let cool in pan on a wire rack for 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, make glaze: in a small saucepan, combine the sugar and lemon juice.
• Bring to a boil over med-high heat, stirring until sugar is dissolved; remove from heat; use immediately.
• Invert cake onto rack, then turn right side up.
• Poke warm cake all over with a skewer, then pour glaze over top.
• Let cool completely.
• Meanwhile, make icing: in a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, butter, lemon juice and lemon zest until blended and smooth; use immediately.
• Spread icing over top of cooled cake.