Bring the bright, zesty flavors of your favorite coffeehouse treat right to your kitchen with this irresistible Copycat Starbucks® Lemon Bread. Moist, buttery, and bursting with fresh lemon flavor, this homemade lemon loaf rivals the original—and may even outshine it. Whether you’re serving it with coffee, enjoying a midday snack, or impressing guests with a vibrant dessert, this lemon bread delivers every time.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe:

Better than store-bought: Fresher flavor, no preservatives, and made with real lemon.
Foolproof recipe: Simple steps and pantry ingredients make it ideal for beginner and experienced bakers.
Versatile and shareable: Serve for breakfast, brunch, dessert, or gift-giving.

Ingredients Breakdown

For the Bread:

All-Purpose Flour (1 ½ cups): The base that provides structure to the loaf.
Baking Powder & Baking Soda (1 tsp & ¼ tsp): Work together to give the bread a light, fluffy texture.
Salt (½ tsp): Balances the sweetness and enhances the lemon flavor.
Unsalted Butter (½ cup, softened): Adds richness and a tender crumb.
Granulated Sugar (1 cup): Sweetens the bread and helps create a moist texture.
Eggs (3 large): Bind the ingredients and add moisture and richness.
Vanilla Extract (1 tsp): Rounds out the flavor with a warm, sweet note.
Lemon Zest (2 tbsp): Provides vibrant citrus aroma and flavor.
Fresh Lemon Juice (¼ cup): Delivers a bright, tangy taste to the loaf.
Sour Cream (½ cup): Keeps the bread ultra-moist with a slight tang.
Milk (¼ cup): Helps achieve the perfect batter consistency.

For the Glaze:

Powdered Sugar (1 cup): Forms the sweet, smooth base of the glaze.
Fresh Lemon Juice (2 tbsp): Gives the glaze its signature zing.
Lemon Zest (1 tsp, optional): Adds a burst of fresh citrus on top.

Tips and Tricks:

Don’t overmix: Overmixing can lead to dense, dry bread. Mix until just combined.
Use room temperature ingredients: They blend more evenly, creating a smoother batter.
Zest before juicing: It’s much easier to zest a whole lemon than a squeezed one.

Variations and Customizations:

Blueberry Lemon Loaf: Fold in 1 cup of fresh or frozen blueberries.
Lemon Poppy Seed Version: Add 1 tablespoon of poppy seeds to the batter.
Gluten-Free: Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend for an easy substitution.

Pairing Suggestions:

Drinks: Pairs perfectly with hot coffee, iced tea, or a creamy chai latte.
Toppings: Add whipped cream or serve with fresh berries for an elegant touch.
Occasions: Great for brunches, bake sales, or as a thoughtful homemade gift.

Storage Instructions:

Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Refrigerate: Stays fresh for up to 1 week.
Freeze: Wrap tightly and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight before serving.

Copycat of Starbucks Lemon Bread

Author: easysweetmeal
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Yield: 8 servings 1x

Print Recipe

Description

Copycat Starbucks Lemon Bread – Moist, buttery, and packed with fresh lemon zest and juice, topped with a tangy glaze. Perfect for breakfast or a sweet pick-me-up—just like the café, but even better

Ingredients

Scale

1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
¼ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
½ cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
3 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons lemon zest
¼ cup fresh lemon juice
½ cup sour cream
¼ cup milk
1 cup powdered sugar
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon lemon zest (optional, for extra flavor)

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat and Prep

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan or line it with parchment paper.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.

Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar

In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes).

Step 4: Add Eggs and Flavorings

Beat in eggs one at a time.
Mix in vanilla extract, lemon zest, and lemon juice.

Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry

Alternate adding the flour mixture with sour cream and milk.
Start and end with the dry mixture. Mix just until combined.

Step 6: Bake

Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan.
Bake for 55–60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Step 7: Cool and Glaze

Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Whisk glaze ingredients until smooth and drizzle over the cooled loaf.

Notes

This homemade lemon loaf is a near-perfect copy of the popular Starbucks version—moist, dense, and drenched in a bright lemon glaze. With better ingredients and no artificial preservatives, it’s the ideal bakery-style treat to satisfy your citrus cravings.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 55 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American