Greek Yogurt Lemon Loaf Recipe

Introduction

This Greek Yogurt Lemon Loaf is a bright and moist treat perfect for any time of day. With zesty lemon flavor and a tender crumb, it’s easy to make and sure to become a favorite in your baking repertoire.

A sliced lemon loaf cake sits on a white rectangular tray placed on a white marbled surface. The cake has a golden-brown crust with a moist yellow interior and is topped with a shiny, slightly translucent glaze that drips down the sides. The glaze adds a glossy finish to the top and highlights the cake's soft texture. In the background, blurred yellow lemons add a fresh hint of color to the scene. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

  • 1¾ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp baking soda
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • 1 cup plain Greek yogurt (full-fat or low-fat)
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • Zest of 2 lemons
  • 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • ½ cup vegetable oil or melted butter
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • ½ cup powdered sugar
  • 1–2 tbsp fresh lemon juice

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Grease and line a 9×5-inch loaf pan with parchment paper for easy removal.
  2. Step 2: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until well combined.
  3. Step 3: In a separate large bowl, whisk the Greek yogurt, sugar, eggs, lemon zest, lemon juice, oil (or melted butter), and vanilla extract until smooth.
  4. Step 4: Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until just combined, being careful not to overmix.
  5. Step 5: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
  6. Step 6: Bake for 45 to 55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  7. Step 7: Let the loaf cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then lift it out using the parchment and transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
  8. Step 8: For the glaze, whisk the powdered sugar with 1 to 2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice until smooth. Drizzle over the cooled loaf before serving.

Tips & Variations

  • Use room temperature ingredients to help the batter mix evenly for a tender crumb.
  • Try swapping the lemon zest for orange zest for a different citrus twist.
  • For extra moisture, brush the cooled loaf with a simple lemon syrup made from equal parts sugar and lemon juice.

Storage

Store the lemon loaf tightly wrapped at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for up to a week. Reheat slices gently in the microwave for 10-15 seconds if desired. The glaze may soften when refrigerated but will still add delicious flavor.

How to Serve

The image shows a sliced lemon drizzle cake placed on a white parchment paper over a white marbled surface. The cake has three visible layers: a light golden brown crust on the top and bottom, and a soft, moist yellow cake layer in the middle. The top layer is covered with a glossy lemon drizzle icing that looks slightly translucent with small bits of lemon zest scattered over it, giving it a shiny and textured finish. Two lemon slices are placed in the background, adding a fresh and bright touch to the composition. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use regular yogurt instead of Greek yogurt?

Greek yogurt provides thickness and moisture that help the loaf’s texture. Using regular yogurt may result in a thinner batter and a slightly different crumb, but it can work if you use a thicker variety.

How do I know when the loaf is done baking?

Insert a toothpick or a thin skewer into the center of the loaf. If it comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs, the loaf is done. If there is wet batter on the toothpick, bake for a few more minutes and test again.

Print

Greek Yogurt Lemon Loaf Recipe

This Greek Yogurt Lemon Loaf is a moist and tangy cake perfect for breakfast or a light dessert. Made with creamy Greek yogurt and fresh lemon zest and juice, it offers a bright citrus flavor balanced with a sweet lemon glaze. The loaf is tender and easy to prepare, making it an ideal treat for lemon lovers and those who enjoy a slight tang in their baked goods.

  • Author: rami
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 50 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
  • Yield: 8 servings 1x
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Greek
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

  • 1¾ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp baking soda
  • ¼ tsp salt

Wet Ingredients

  • 1 cup plain Greek yogurt (full-fat or low-fat)
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • Zest of 2 lemons
  • 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • ½ cup vegetable oil or melted butter
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Glaze

  • ½ cup powdered sugar
  • 12 tbsp fresh lemon juice

Instructions

  1. Prepare Pan: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 9×5-inch loaf pan with parchment paper to ensure easy removal after baking.
  2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until evenly combined.
  3. Mix Wet Ingredients: In a separate large bowl, whisk together plain Greek yogurt, granulated sugar, eggs, lemon zest, fresh lemon juice, vegetable oil (or melted butter), and vanilla extract until smooth and homogenous.
  4. Combine Ingredients: Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, stirring until just combined. Avoid overmixing to maintain a tender texture.
  5. Pour Batter: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top with a spatula for even baking.
  6. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 45 to 55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean, indicating it’s fully baked.
  7. Cool: Remove the loaf from the oven and let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Then, lift the loaf out using the parchment paper and allow it to cool completely on a wire rack.
  8. Prepare and Apply Glaze: Whisk the powdered sugar with 1 to 2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice until smooth to create a drizzle glaze. Drizzle this over the cooled loaf for a sweet and tangy finish.

Notes

  • You can substitute vegetable oil with melted butter for a richer flavor.
  • Make sure not to overmix the batter to keep the loaf light and fluffy.
  • The glaze can be adjusted to your preferred consistency by varying the amount of lemon juice.
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerated for up to a week.
  • Allow the loaf to cool completely before glazing to prevent the glaze from melting into the bread.

Keywords: Greek yogurt lemon loaf, lemon cake, citrus loaf, lemon glaze cake, easy lemon bread, Greek dessert, yogurt cake

Did you make this recipe?

Share a photo and tag us — we can’t wait to see what you’ve made!

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe rating