Lemon Loaf Cake
Lemon Loaf Cake
This is such an easy lemon loaf cake recipe. I’ve tried out so many different lemon loaves and this is definitely my favourite. The sponge is super soft and moist, and the lemon flavour is just right. The glaze on the outside adds a nice zingy crunch and the cake gets better the longer you leave it!
Step aside Starbucks – this recipe is so much better!
Follow my video and step-by-step recipe to make this easy lemon loaf cake.
Looking for more loaf cake recipes? Check out my marble loaf cake and my brown butter & orange loaf cake recipes.
Ingredients
Method
In a bowl, massage the lemon and lime zest into the sugar, then add the eggs and whisk for 3 minutes.

Pour in the cream and whisk.

Sift in the dry ingredients and gently whisk them in.

Whisk in the oil and lemon extract.

Pour the mixture into a greased and floured 2lb loaf tin. Pipe a thin line of butter down the centre and bake at 160C (non fan assisted) for 65 minutes or until a skewer comes out clean.

While the cake bakes, boil the syrup ingredients together and set aside.

Once the cake has baked, remove it from the tin and soak it with the syrup. Wrap the cake tightly in cling film and chill it overnight.

The next day, whisk the lemon juice into the icing sugar - just enough until it resembles runny honey. Paint this all over the cake then bake it at 160C for 3 minutes.

Cool to room temperature before serving.

Ingredients
Directions
In a bowl, massage the lemon and lime zest into the sugar, then add the eggs and whisk for 3 minutes.

Pour in the cream and whisk.

Sift in the dry ingredients and gently whisk them in.

Whisk in the oil and lemon extract.

Pour the mixture into a greased and floured 2lb loaf tin. Pipe a thin line of butter down the centre and bake at 160C (non fan assisted) for 65 minutes or until a skewer comes out clean.

While the cake bakes, boil the syrup ingredients together and set aside.

Once the cake has baked, remove it from the tin and soak it with the syrup. Wrap the cake tightly in cling film and chill it overnight.

The next day, whisk the lemon juice into the icing sugar - just enough until it resembles runny honey. Paint this all over the cake then bake it at 160C for 3 minutes.

Cool to room temperature before serving.


Just made this for a lemon-loving neighbor who is in hospital. A big hit, not just with him, but with the staff. Posted it on my blog, giving credit where credit is due.
So glad you enjoyed it!!
Can I skip putting it in the fridge overnight and just eat it after it cools down?
Absolutely! The texture just isn’t quite as good that is all 🙂
Can I pour the lemon soak whole the cake is still in the pan?
Hey! Yep you can 🙂
I tried your recipe and by goodness it’s delicious. The syrup soak seem to have only permeated the top layer of the cake. So it was juicier and sweeter than the rest of the cake. Is it meant to go through the cake or just moisten the outside?
You can also try taking it out of the tin and just gently tipping it on it’s side to get the edges too. It won’t permeate to the middle but will help with the edges!
Just finished the last 3 min bake with the glaze after baking yesterday afternoon. It is quite beautiful. Holding off to eat until later tonight so the flavor can develop further today.
So good to hear! I hope it tasted delicious!
Made this delicious lemon loaf cake a few times now and it never disappoints. Beautifully moist crumb and a perfect balance of sweet and lemony tang.
So pleased to hear! Thank you!
Hi what sugar did you use for the cake? Caster? Granulated ?
🙂
Caster 🙂
Thank you for sharing! Love your productions!
Thanks so much!
Making it tonight, thanks for sharing this recipe. I have already done one and it was delicious 😋
So pleased 🙂 you’re welcome!
Cake is soaked, wrapped, and chilling in the fridge. Looks great, and I can’t wait to dig in tomorrow!
enjoy!
En español!!🙏🏻
thanks for sharing the recipe, always love you work.good luck.
Thanks so much! Hope you enjoy it 🙂
Hi. By any chance I substitude melted butter for the oil?
Hey! I’ve not tried this so I’m afraid I wouldn’t recommend this no. Hope you can still give it a go with oil!
I love it! I made 2 batches today and can’t wait to eat the second batch tomorrow. The taste is amazing! I love the balanced taste. Will definately make this again. 🙂
So glad!!
Are the eggs weighed in their shells?
Cracked then weighed!
Yum, non fan assisted oven. So do you just use bottom elements or do you use both bottom and top?
yes bottom and top!
I will try to make it! Thank you for sharing ♥️love all your recipes!
Thanks so much! I love this lemon loaf recipe!
What to substitute for heavy cream?
I’m afraid I haven’t tested it with anything else
How do you pipe the butter?
Should i just use room temperature butter in a piping bag?
Yes exactly 🙂 Nice and soft!
Is there an alternative for wrapping with cling film (I never buy this since it’s not really sustainable 🙈).
Can’t wait to try the recipe tough ❤️🍋
tightly in a tea towel will work!
I’ve made 3 of these now, and they are perfect, so flavourful and easy for people like me who don’t own a load of fancy kitchen things ….. thank you ☺️
So nice to hear! You’re welcome 🙂
Hi Matt,
Great recipe here. Just a little question, what can be used as a substitute for lemon extract?
We don’t have lemon extract here.
Thanks
Just more lemon zest is totally fine 🙂 About 1 more lemon
Delighted to get this recipe, must try.
enjoy!!
What a fantastic recipe, scrumptious!!!!
yay!
I’ve made this twice & it’s the best ever lemon loaf cake my family has eaten so far. Love love it♥️ Thanks Matt😊
So glad!
I can’t wait to try it! Sounds wonderful! Thanks for your
feedback.
enjoy!!
Very informative! Fun – Thank you!
Excelente receta
Hi Matt could you use this recipe for a jumbo lemon drizzle muffin?
Yeh worth a go!
I would like to add poppy seeds I love lemon and poppy seed cake how much would you recommed using in the recipe, thank you love all you do
10-15g?
Thanks
I’m excited to try this recipe out. I’m a new fan of yours. Thank you for sharing.
Enjoy!