Lemon Drizzle Loaf Cake (Printable)

Zesty, moist lemon loaf with a tangy lemon glaze, perfect for bright and fresh baked treats.

# What you'll need:

→ Cake

01 - 7 oz unsalted butter, softened
02 - 7 oz caster sugar
03 - 3 large eggs, room temperature
04 - 1 tablespoon finely grated lemon zest from 2 lemons
05 - 7 oz self-raising flour
06 - 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
07 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
08 - 3 tablespoons whole milk
09 - 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice

→ Lemon Drizzle

10 - 2.8 oz icing sugar
11 - 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice

# How-To Steps:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and line a 2 lb loaf tin with baking parchment.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, cream together softened butter and caster sugar until pale and fluffy.
03 - Beat in eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in lemon zest.
04 - Sift in self-raising flour, baking powder, and salt. Fold gently until just combined.
05 - Mix in milk and lemon juice until batter is smooth.
06 - Pour batter into prepared loaf tin and smooth the top with a spatula.
07 - Bake for 45 to 50 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
08 - While cake bakes, mix icing sugar and lemon juice to a pourable consistency.
09 - Remove baked loaf from oven and cool in tin for 10 minutes. While still warm, poke holes across the top using a skewer and slowly drizzle lemon glaze over cake.
10 - Allow cake to cool completely in tin before turning out and slicing.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Simple ingredients you likely already have in your pantry
  • Light, moist texture with vibrant lemon flavor throughout
  • The tangy lemon drizzle soaks into the warm cake for maximum flavor
  • Perfect for afternoon tea, dessert, or weekend baking projects
  • Easily customizable with poppy seeds, limoncello, or fresh berries
02 -
  • Use a fine grater or microplane to zest the lemons—this releases more oils and creates a more intense flavor
  • Line the loaf tin with parchment paper that extends above the edges for easy removal
  • Check the cake at 45 minutes, but don't open the oven door before then to prevent sinking
  • Make the glaze while the cake bakes so it's ready to pour immediately when the loaf comes out
  • Apply the drizzle while the cake is still warm—this is essential for proper absorption
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