Years ago, I had an epiphany that has saved me a lot of money: I do not care for Starbucks coffee. There, I said it. I find it to be generally way too strong and it tastes burnt. But there’s more at Starbucks than just coffee. I’m talking that pastry case, and more specifically: Lemon Loaf. How do they do that?

It was a happy day when my daughter-in-law Wendy texted me this recipe for what we now believe is better than Starbucks Lemon Loaf! The key ingredient? Pure lemon extract—not lemon oil, not lemon juice but quality, pure lemon extract*.

A piece of cake sitting on top of a wooden table

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4.60 from 5 votes

Copycat Starbuck's Lemon Loaf

Years ago, I had an epiphany that has saved me a lot of money: I do not like Starbucks coffee. There, I said it. I find it to be generally way too strong and it tastes burned. But there's more at Starbucks than just coffee. I'm talking that pastry case, and more specifically: Lemon Loaf. How do they do that?

Prep Time15

Cook Time50

Cooling time30

Course: Baking, Breakfast, Dessert

Cuisine: American

Servings:

Calories: 446kcal

Ingredients

LOAF

3 eggs, large
1 cup sugar, white granulated
1 cup sour cream, or Greek yogurt
½ cup canola oil, or any vegetable oil
2 tablespoons lemon zest
1 or 2 tablespoons lemon extract see NOTE 1
1 ½ cups flour, all-purpose
2 teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon salt

GLAZE

1 cup sugar, confectioners' (powdered)
3 tablespoons lemon juice, more or less

Instructions

LOAF

Preheat oven to 350F. Spray a 9x5-inch loaf pan with floured cooking spray, or grease and flour the pan; set aside.
Get out a large bowl and add the eggs, sugar and sour cream. Whisk vigorously until smooth and combined.
Drizzle in the oil while whisking and continue to stir unitl completely combined. Add the lemon zest, lemon extract, and whisk to incorporate. (NOTE: Please don't attempt to use lemon juice in place of lemon extract because it's not strong enough and the acidity can alter the overall results.)
Add the flour, baking powder, salt, and stir until just combined, don't overmix. Some lumps will be present and that's okay, don't try to stir them smooth.
Turn the batter into the prepared pan, smoothing the top lightly with a spatula. Bake for about 50 to 52 minutes, or until top is domed, set, and a toothpick inserted in the center crack comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs but no batter. In the last 10 minutes of baking, tent pan with foil (loosely drape a sheet of foil over pan) to prevent excessive browning on the top and sides of bread before center cooks through.
Allow loaf to cool in pan on top of a wire rack for at least 30 minutes (up to 4 hours) before turning out onto rack to cool completely before glazing.

GLAZE

Place the confectioner's sugar in a small bowl and slowly drizzle in the lemon juice while whisking until it is smooth and combined. You may need to play with the sugar and lemon juice amounts a bit as necessary for desired consistency and flavor.
Evenly drizzle glaze over bread before slicing and serving. Extra glaze can be spread on the cut surface of the bread like you'd spread butter on toast and it soaks right in making the bread even more lemony. Bread will keep airtight at room temperature for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 6 months. Do not store in the fridge, as it will dry out quickly.
Wow!

Notes

Lemon Extract—and not teaspoons; not lemon oil and please, not lemon juice! More or less to taste. Hint: Start with 1 tablespoon then taste before adding more.

Nutrition

*Lemon Extract—you can make it yourself and you should! Then consider making it your signature homemade gift, the kind of gift your friends and family long to receive because it is so lovely. Hint: Include this Lemon Loaf recipe with your lemon extract gifts. Perfect!

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Please keep your comments positive, encouraging, helpful, brief,
and on-topic in keeping with EC Commenting Guidelines

Donna says:

October 8, 2022 at 6:13 pm

Does that pro tip about changing the number of servings work on phones? No slider seemed to appear for me. Thanks for the recipes!

Mary Hunt says:
October 8, 2022 at 9:58 pm

This option shows up once you click “Print.” It will show at the top. Adjust the settings then press PRINT again. Hope that helps!

Jackie B says:

December 21, 2021 at 9:12 am

Wonderfully lemon-y and addictive! Thank you for a good recipe, Mary

Anne Govea says:

May 17, 2020 at 7:22 am

We always Love love your recipes
any suggestions on substituting the Velveeta cheese ?
Thanks for your time

Sue says:
May 17, 2020 at 1:48 pm

For those that don’t use Velveeta, which I don’t, skip it and add extra shredded cheddar instead. It won’t be as creamy but it’ll still be good!

Kathy Martin says:

May 16, 2020 at 5:12 pm

What is the best alternative to rubber back rugs?

Hilda Pittman says:

May 16, 2020 at 4:36 pm

How do you make Lemon extract?

Sue says:
May 17, 2020 at 1:46 pm

You can buy Lemon Extract with the other extracts in the baking aisle.

Pam says:

May 16, 2020 at 3:31 pm

My daughter just sent me the Starbucks Lemon Loaf recipe 2 weeks ago & I made it…it really was amazing! Served to neighbors (he’s a true lemon-holic) and they loved it. Saved some for my 92 yo mother who loved it too. So moist and great lemon flavor. Highly suggest your readers bake this one!

Linda D Radosevich says:

May 16, 2020 at 11:47 am

THANK YOU, Mary! I thought I was the only one in the world that didn’t like Starbuck’s coffee! Not to mention the price…

Morgan says:
May 4, 2021 at 2:44 pm

I won’t step a foot in Starbucks but their lemon cake is Devine. I’m making Mary’s very soon.

Gloria says:

May 16, 2020 at 11:39 am

The lemon loaf looks great! We don’t use canola or regular vegetable oil as they are refined and contain hidden GMO’s, pesticides etc. Will butter or avocado oil work just as well?

Mary says:
May 16, 2020 at 3:09 pm

I haven’t tried it, but I’d go with avocado oil a reasonable substitute.
Diane says:
August 24, 2023 at 2:51 pm

I use a good quality olive oil in place of vegetable or canola oil.

Gina Stevens says:

May 16, 2020 at 11:02 am

When I traveled for my job, a giant Starbuck’s Pike Place and Lemon Cake was my guilty pleasure. Thanks for the recipe!

Deb says:

May 16, 2020 at 10:59 am

The mac & cheese recipe looks really good, but I don’t believe the nutrition information is correct. There are definitely far more carbs in this recipe than the 9 gr. listed.

Mary says:
May 16, 2020 at 3:17 pm

You are right, Deb. I have egg on my face (or is that cheese?!) The recipe maker program that I use didn’t recognize the ingredient “dry pasta,” so it didn’t include that ingredient. Whoops. I fixed it by changing it to just “pasta” and sure enough. Not 9 but rather 52g carbs. Thanks for your eagle eyes.

Make It Better Yourself: Starbucks Lemon Loaf