Copycat Starbucks Lemon Loaf Recipe

Copycat Starbucks Lemon Loaf: The Perfect Treat for Lemon Lovers

Lemon desserts are a staple in the world of sweets, and for good reason. The tangy and sweet flavors, combined with the bright color, make for a delicious and visually appealing treat. If you're a fan of lemon desserts and also a fan of Starbucks, then you'll love this recipe for a copycat Starbucks Lemon Loaf.

This lemon loaf is a soft, moist cake with a sweet lemon glaze and a tangy lemon flavor that will make your taste buds dance with delight. The recipe is easy to follow and doesn't require any fancy ingredients. The yellow cake mix, lemon extract, and lemon juice combine to create the perfect balance of flavors.

Here's what you'll need to make this delicious lemon loaf:

Cake:

  • 1 box of lemon cake mix

  • 2 eggs (For Egg substitutions: Click here )

  • 1 cup of milk

  • 1 tbsp baking powder

  • 1 tbsp yellow food coloring

  • 1 tsp lemon extract

  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Glaze:

  • 1 cup of powdered sugar

  • 3-4 tbsps of lemon juice

  • Zest from 1 lemon + slices

Here's how you can make this delicious lemon loaf:

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F.

  2. In a bowl, mix together the lemon cake mix, baking powder, milk, eggs, lemon extract, vanilla extract, and yellow food coloring until you have a smooth yellow batter.

  3. Grease a loaf pan well and add the batter to the pan.

  4. Bake the cake for 45-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

  5. While the cake is baking, zest, juice, and slice your lemon.

  6. In another bowl, mix the powdered sugar and lemon juice together until a thick glaze forms.

  7. Once the cake is done, remove it from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack.

  8. Once the cake has cooled, drizzle the lemon glaze over the cake.

  9. Sprinkle the lemon zest or place lemon slices on top of the cake for added flavor and visual appeal.

  10. Slice the cake and serve it with a cold glass of milk or a hot cup of tea.

This lemon loaf is perfect for any occasion, from breakfast to dessert. The combination of the soft and moist cake, the sweet lemon glaze, and the tangy lemon flavor makes for a delightful treat that everyone will love. Whether you're a lemon lover or just looking for a delicious and easy dessert recipe, this copycat Starbucks Lemon Loaf is the perfect choice. So go ahead and give it a try today!

Here is a list of substitutions for the Copycat Starbucks Lemon Loaf recipe for people with allergies to any of the ingredients listed:

  • For the lemon cake mix: If you have a gluten intolerance, you can use a gluten-free cake mix or make your own from scratch using a gluten-free flour blend.

  • For the eggs: To make this recipe vegan, you can use an egg substitute such as flax eggs or mashed bananas. Checkout my post on egg substitutes as well!

  • For the milk: For those who are lactose intolerant or have a dairy allergy, you can use a non-dairy milk such as almond milk or soy milk.

  • For the lemon extract: If you have an allergy to lemon extract, you can use vanilla extract or omit it completely.

  • For the yellow food coloring: If you prefer to avoid food coloring, you can omit it or use turmeric or spirulina powder to add a natural yellow hue to the cake.

  • For the powdered sugar: For those who have a sugar intolerance or prefer to use alternative sweeteners, you can use a powdered sugar substitute such as coconut sugar or stevia.

  • For the lemon juice and zest: If you have a citrus allergy, you can use lime juice and zest instead or omit the glaze entirely.

By making these substitutions, you can still enjoy a delicious and satisfying Copycat Starbucks Lemon Loaf while accommodating any allergies or dietary preferences.

Here are some dishes you could serve with this recipe for Copycat Starbucks Lemon Loaf:

  • Salad greens: Serve a light and fresh salad alongside the lemon loaf to balance out the sweetness of the cake.

  • Roasted vegetables: Roast some vegetables such as asparagus or cherry tomatoes for a healthy and delicious side dish.

  • Fried chicken: Serve a crispy fried chicken for a savory contrast to the sweet and tangy lemon loaf.

  • Grilled fish: Grilled fish like salmon or tilapia would also be a great pairing with the lemon loaf, especially if it has lemon and herb seasonings.

  • Quiche: A quiche with a variety of vegetables and a light, flaky crust would complement the lemon loaf nicely.

  • Pasta: Serve a light pasta dish, such as a lemon and herb pasta or a tomato basil pasta, to balance out the sweet flavors of the lemon loaf.

  • Soup: A bowl of soup, such as a tomato or minestrone, would make a good starter to a meal that includes the lemon loaf.

  • Sandwiches: Serve a variety of sandwiches, such as turkey and cheese, ham and cheese, or grilled cheese, for a filling lunch with the lemon loaf as a dessert option.

Here are a few additional ingredients you could add to elevate this recipe for a Copycat Starbucks Lemon Loaf:

  1. Almonds: For a crunchy texture, sprinkle some sliced or chopped almonds on top of the cake before baking.

  2. Blueberries: Add a handful of fresh blueberries to the batter for a pop of color and flavor.

  3. Poppy Seeds: A tablespoon of poppy seeds added to the batter will give the cake a unique flavor and texture.

  4. Cream Cheese Frosting: Instead of the lemon glaze, make a cream cheese frosting by mixing cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and lemon juice.

  5. Mascarpone Cheese: Add a layer of mascarpone cheese to the cake batter before baking to add richness and creaminess.

  6. Coconut: Use coconut milk instead of regular milk and sprinkle some shredded coconut on top of the cake for a tropical twist.

  7. Candied Lemon Peel: For a touch of sweetness, add some candied lemon peel to the top of the cake.

  8. Limoncello: Add a tablespoon of Limoncello to the cake batter for a boozy twist.

These additional ingredients will not only enhance the flavor but also make the cake look more appealing and sophisticated.

This copycat Starbucks Lemon Loaf recipe is both delicious and easy to make. The combination of the lemon cake mix, eggs, milk, baking powder, food coloring, lemon extract, and vanilla extract creates a cake that is very close to the real thing. To achieve the best results, it is recommended to wait for the cake to cool before pouring the lemon glaze over it for a thicker look.

Although, in my demonstration, I didn't wait for the cake to cool before glazing it, you can still expect a delicious and satisfying end result. So go ahead, give this recipe a try and enjoy the taste of a classic Starbucks lemon loaf in the comfort of your own home!

Yield: 4-6
Author:
Copycat Starbucks Lemon Loaf

Copycat Starbucks Lemon Loaf

This recipe is for a copycat Starbucks Lemon Loaf. The ingredients for the cake include a lemon cake mix, eggs, milk, baking powder, yellow food coloring, lemon extract, and vanilla extract. The ingredients for the glaze include powdered sugar and lemon juice, with lemon zest and slices for topping. The cake is baked in a loaf pan for 45-60 minutes, then cooled before being drizzled with the lemon glaze and topped with lemon zest or slices. The cake is best served with a cold glass of milk or hot cup of tea.
Prep time: 20 MinCook time: 60 MinInactive time: 1 HourTotal time: 2 H & 20 M

Ingredients

Cake
  • 1 box of lemon cake mix
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 cup of milk
  • 1 tbsp baking powder
  • 1 tbsp yellow food coloring
  • 1 tsp lemon extract
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
Glaze
  • 1 cup of powdered sugar
  • 3-4 tbsps of lemon juice
  • Zest from 1 lemon + slices

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375F.
  2. In a bowl mix together your cake mix, baking powder, milk, eggs, lemon extract, vanilla extract and food coloring. Mix it well until a smooth yellow cake batter is made.
  3. Spray a loaf pan very well and add the cake mix to the loaf pan.
  4. Cook the cake for 45-60 minutes.
  5. Ago ahead and zest, juice and slice your lemon and set to the side.
  6. In a bowl add your powdered sugar and lemon juice. Mix until a nice thick glaze has been made.
  7. Once your cake is done set to the side on a wire rack to cool.
  8. Once cooked pour the lemon glaze over the cake.
  9. Sprinkle with zest or too with lemon slices.
  10. I like to slice my cake first then add a lemon slice on it to make it pretty.
  11. Once done just serve and enjoy with a nice cold glass of milk or a hot cup of delicious tea
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Ashton Butler

Hi! My name is Ashton, and I go by JustLikeGranny on all of my social media platforms. I am a 30-year-old disabled home cook. I enjoy cooking (obviously), crocheting, and thrift-store shopping. I have a partner named David and two little furball babies called Oscar and Olivia. I hope you enjoy my website and all of the recipes on it. Please don’t forget to subscribe to my newsletter for delicious weekly recipes!

https://www.justlikegranny.com/
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