Starbucks Copycat Lemon Loaf

There’s something irresistibly indulgent about the Starbucks Lemon Loaf—the perfect blend of sweetness and citrusy tang, wrapped in a moist, cake-like texture, and topped with a glossy lemon glaze. The good news? You don’t have to visit Starbucks to enjoy this iconic treat. Our Starbucks copycat lemon loaf recipe brings the bakery-quality flavor straight to your kitchen, using simple ingredients and easy techniques.

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Ingredients for the Perfect Copycat Starbucks Lemon Loaf

Ingredient	Quantity
All-purpose flour	1 ½ cups
Granulated sugar	1 cup
Baking powder	1 ½ teaspoons
Salt	½ teaspoon
Unsalted butter (melted)	½ cup
Eggs (large, room temp)	2
Whole milk (or buttermilk)	½ cup
Fresh lemon juice	2 tablespoons (1–2 lemons)
Lemon zest	1 tablespoon (finely grated)

For the Lemon Glaze:

Ingredient	Quantity
Powdered sugar	1 cup
Fresh lemon juice	2 tablespoons
Lemon zest (optional)	1 teaspoon

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How to Make Starbucks-Style Lemon Loaf at Home

Step 1: Preheat and Prepare the Pan

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease an 8×4 inch loaf pan and line it with parchment paper, letting some overhang on the sides for easy removal. This step ensures your loaf doesn’t stick and makes it easier to lift out once cooled.

Step 2: Zest and Juice the Lemons

Use fresh lemons only. The zest adds brightness and aroma, while the juice delivers the lemony tang you crave. Make sure you zest before juicing—it’s nearly impossible to zest a lemon once it’s been squeezed.

Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. This dry mixture forms the base of your loaf and ensures even distribution of leavening agents and sweetness.

Step 4: Mix Wet Ingredients

In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter, eggs, milk (or buttermilk), lemon juice, and zest. The buttermilk alternative creates an even moister crumb and enhances the lemon flavor.

Step 5: Bring It All Together

Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Stir gently until just combined. Don’t overmix—overworking the batter can lead to a tough texture. The batter should be thick yet pourable.

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Baking Your Lemon Loaf to Moist Perfection

Step 6: Pour and Bake

Transfer the batter into your prepared loaf pan, smoothing out the top with a spatula. Bake for 45–55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

The top should be golden brown, and your kitchen will smell like a citrus-scented bakery by the time it’s done.

Step 7: Cool Before Glazing

Allow the loaf to cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Then use the parchment overhang to lift it out and place on a wire rack to cool completely before adding the glaze. Glazing too early will melt the icing into the loaf, losing that signature Starbucks-style finish.