Lemon Cake (Printable Version)

A soft and zesty lemon cake featuring just the right mix of sweetness and tanginess, finished with a silky, citrusy glaze. Way tastier than coffee shop options!

# Ingredients:

→ Lemon Loaf Mix

01 - 1 cup sour cream
02 - 1⅓ cup all-purpose flour
03 - 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
04 - ½ cup softened butter
05 - 1 tablespoon lemon flavoring (don’t use lemon oil!)
06 - 1½ tablespoons zest from one lemon
07 - 3 eggs
08 - ⅔ cup sugar
09 - ½ teaspoon table salt
10 - 1¾ teaspoon baking powder

→ Lemon Glaze

11 - 1 tablespoon melted butter
12 - 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
13 - 1 cup powdered sugar
14 - 1 tablespoon milk

# Steps:

01 - Set your oven to 325°F and lightly butter or oil a loaf pan that’s 4×8 inches or 5×9 inches.
02 - In a bowl, combine the flour, salt, and baking powder. Keep this aside for now.
03 - Use another bowl to whip the butter and sugar together until they’re creamy and fluffy.
04 - Stir in the eggs, sour cream, lemon zest, juice, and lemon flavoring into the creamed mixture. Blend well.
05 - Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Stir gently just until there’s no dry flour. Don’t stir too much.
06 - Pour the batter evenly into the prepped pan. Bake for roughly an hour, or until a toothpick put in the center comes out dry.
07 - After pulling the loaf from the oven, let it rest in the pan for 10 minutes. Use a butter knife to loosen the edges before flipping onto a rack to cool off completely.
08 - Mix together the powdered sugar, lemon juice, milk, and melted butter in a dish. Stir until no lumps remain.
09 - Once the loaf is fully cooled, pour the glaze on top. Spread it evenly with the back of a spoon or spatula. After setting, slice and enjoy.

# Notes:

01 - Lemon extract is key for the right flavor—skip the oil since it’s too intense.
02 - To boost lemon flavor, poke small holes in the hot loaf and brush on some lemon juice.
03 - At room temperature, it stays fresh for about 3 days in an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to a week.
04 - You can freeze this loaf for 3 months. Let it thaw in the fridge overnight, then bring to room temperature before slicing.