Copycat Starbucks Lemon Loaf Recipe
Starbucks Lemon Loaf is a moist, buttery pound cake bursting with fresh lemon flavor and topped with a sweet citrus glaze.
Ingredients
For the Cake
- 1 box (18.25 oz) yellow cake mix
- 2 small boxes (4.3 oz each) lemon pudding mix
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup sour cream (about 8 oz)
- ½ cup whole milk
- 6 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
For the Glaze
- 2½ cups powdered sugar
- 3 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice (adjust for your preferred tartness)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F and let it fully warm up before you begin. Meanwhile, lightly coat two 9x5-inch loaf pans with butter or a nonstick cooking spray.
- Prepare the Batter: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cake mix, lemon pudding, oil, eggs, sour cream, milk, and freshly squeezed lemon juice. Use a hand mixer or stand mixer on low speed and beat everything together until smooth—about 2 minutes. The batter should be thick and creamy with a bright lemony scent.
- Bake the Loaves: Divide the batter evenly between your two prepared pans. Smooth the tops with a spatula, then place them in the oven. Bake for 45 to 55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Let the cakes rest in their pans for around 20 minutes, then gently remove them and transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Let them cool completely before glazing.
- Prepare the Glaze: Combine powdered sugar and lemon juice in a small bowl, whisking until the mixture becomes smooth and easy to pour. If the consistency is too thick, slowly add more lemon juice, one teaspoon at a time, until it reaches the desired texture.
- Glaze and Finish: Once the loaves have fully cooled, pour the glaze over them, letting it gently cascade down the sides. Let the glaze sit and firm up for approximately 30 minutes before cutting.
