
There’s something truly special about a slice of Coffee Shop Lemon Bread—moist, buttery, and bursting with fresh citrus flavor. Whether you’re enjoying it with your morning coffee, as an afternoon pick-me-up, or even as a light dessert, this lemon bread brings that fresh-baked café experience right into your kitchen. The best part? It’s incredibly easy to make at home with simple ingredients you probably already have on hand!
Lemon-flavored baked goods have been loved for centuries, dating back to ancient times when lemons were prized for their bright, tangy taste. Over time, bakers perfected the balance between sweet and tart, creating the iconic lemon loaf we know today. Many coffee shops now serve their own version, but homemade always wins when it comes to flavor and freshness!
With just the right balance of zesty lemon, soft crumb, and a sweet drizzle of glaze, this bakery-style loaf is perfect for lemon lovers. So, why not skip the coffee shop line and whip up your own at home? It’s fresh, flavorful, and totally worth it!

Recipe Yield: 1 loaf (8–10 slices)
INGREDIENTS
For the Lemon Bread:
1 ¾ cup all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
½ tsp baking soda
2 large eggs, room temperature
½ cup unsalted butter, softened
½ tsp salt
¾ cup granulated sugar
⅓ cup sour cream (or Greek yogurt)
¼ cup whole milk
¼ cup fresh lemon juice (about 1 large lemon)
1 tbsp lemon zest (packed, from about 1–2 lemons)
1 tsp vanilla extract
For the Lemon Glaze:
¾ cup powdered sugar
2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Preheat & Prep: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Grease and line a 9×5-inch loaf pan with parchment paper for easy removal.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
3. Cream Butter & Sugar: In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, about 2–3 minutes.
4. Add Eggs & Flavor: Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in sour cream, milk, lemon juice, lemon zest, and vanilla extract. Mix until smooth.
5. Combine: Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until just combined. Do not overmix—this keeps the bread tender!
6. Bake: Pour batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top. Bake for 50–55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. If browning too quickly, loosely tent with foil at the 40-minute mark.
7. Cool & Glaze: Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. Once slightly warm, whisk together powdered sugar and lemon juice for the glaze. Drizzle over the bread.
8. Slice & Enjoy: Allow the glaze to set before slicing. Serve with coffee or tea for the ultimate cozy treat!
HELPFUL TIPS TO PERFECT THIS RECIPE
- Use Fresh Lemon Juice & Zest: Bottled lemon juice lacks the fresh citrus punch that makes this bread shine.
- Sour Cream for Moisture: The combination of sour cream and whole milk keeps the bread incredibly tender and rich.
- Don’t Overmix: Stir until just combined—overmixing leads to a dense loaf instead of a soft, fluffy crumb.
Be the first to comment
Cooked it? 🍳 Loved it? ❤️ Changed it up? 🔄 Your opinion matters! Log in with Google or Facebook using the button below, share your foodie adventure, and let’s make cooking even more fun together! 🎉