Name: Starbucks Copycat Lemon Loaf – Easy Sweet Recipes You’ll Love
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 55 min
Total time: 65 min
Ingredients: 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour; 1/2 teaspoon baking powder; 1/2 teaspoon baking soda; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 3 large eggs; 1 cup granulated sugar; 2 tablespoons butter, softened; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1 teaspoon lemon extract; 1/3 cup fresh lemon juice; 1/2 cup vegetable oil; Zest of one lemon; 1 cup powdered sugar (for glaze); 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (for glaze)

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You know that moment when you just need a slice of sunshine? That’s what this Starbucks Copycat Lemon Loaf feels like. It’s sweet, bright, and it kind of tricks you into thinking you’ve got your life together. We’ve all eyed that glistening loaf through the coffee shop glass, right? Well, now you can make your own at home—pajamas and all. No judgment here. This recipe nails the perfect mix of tender cake and punchy lemon flavor. You don’t have to be a professional baker either (thank goodness, because last time I tried anything fancy, it looked like a toddler made it). Just simple ingredients, one bowl, and a little lemony magic. Oh, and let’s not forget the thick, tangy glaze. It’s basically the crown jewel of the loaf. Without it, it’s like a king without a throne. Let’s get messy and make something incredible together. Bring the coffee shop vibes straight to your kitchen—with fewer awkward small talks in line!

1) Key Takeaways
2) Easy Starbucks Copycat Lemon Loaf Recipe
3) Ingredients for Starbucks Copycat Lemon Loaf
4) How to Make Starbucks Copycat Lemon Loaf
5) Tips for Making Starbucks Copycat Lemon Loaf
6) Making Starbucks Copycat Lemon Loaf Ahead of Time
7) Storing Leftover Starbucks Copycat Lemon Loaf
8) Try these Cakes next!
9) Starbucks Copycat Lemon Loaf Recipe
10) Nutrition

1) Key Takeaways

This easy sweet recipe delivers a bright, tender lemon loaf with a thick, tangy glaze.
Perfect for breakfast, dessert, or that sneaky midday snack.
Simple pantry ingredients, one bowl, and less than an hour of hands-on work.

2) Easy Starbucks Copycat Lemon Loaf Recipe

There are days when all I want is something bright, sweet, and comforting. You know, something that feels like a warm hug but with a kick of lemon to remind me that, hey, life’s good. This easy sweet recipe, my Starbucks Copycat Lemon Loaf, nails it. We are talking about soft cake, not too sweet, but with enough zing to make your taste buds do a little happy shuffle.

When I first tried the coffee shop version, I thought, “How hard could this be?” Turns out, pretty simple. A few staple ingredients, a bit of zest, a splash of fresh lemon juice, and boom. Your kitchen smells like heaven, your mood lifts, and your coffee has the perfect partner in crime.

Plus, if you sneak a slice while nobody’s looking, it basically has zero calories. At least, that’s what I tell myself. Baking it at home means you control the ingredients, the thickness of that glorious glaze, and how big a slice you want. Spoiler alert: bigger is better.

3) Ingredients for Starbucks Copycat Lemon Loaf

All-purpose flour: Gives the loaf its tender, light crumb. Nothing fancy needed. Just regular good stuff from your pantry.

Baking powder and baking soda: These two work together behind the scenes to give your loaf a nice rise without turning it into a giant lemon balloon.

Salt: Just a pinch to balance the sweetness. It’s the quiet hero of most good recipes.

Eggs: They bind the loaf together and bring that rich, moist texture we all crave.

Granulated sugar: Sweetness without overwhelming. It blends right in and keeps the loaf soft.

Butter: Softened just enough to melt into the batter and make everything richer and more delicious.

Vanilla extract: A splash of warmth to round out all the bright lemon flavors.

Lemon extract: Trust me, this is where the magic happens. It amps up the lemon without making it bitter.

Fresh lemon juice: Sharp, clean, and the real backbone of that fresh flavor punch.

Vegetable oil: Keeps the loaf super moist and tender, even after a day or two sitting out (if it lasts that long).

Lemon zest: Adds bright oils that perfume the whole loaf. Do not skip it unless you want sadness baked into your cake.

Powdered sugar: Key for the glaze. It melts into this dreamy, shiny topping that screams “eat me”.

More lemon juice: Mixed with the powdered sugar to make a glaze that could easily pass for a five-star bakery finish.

4) How to Make Starbucks Copycat Lemon Loaf

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Grease your loaf pan and slap a parchment sling in there for good measure. It makes life easier later, trust me.

Step 2: Whisk together the dry ingredients: flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. You want them evenly mixed so there’s no weird pockets of baking soda later.

Step 3: In a bigger bowl, beat the eggs and sugar until they’re light and fluffy. This is your “air” moment. More air, lighter cake.

Step 4: Add the softened butter, vanilla, lemon extract, lemon juice, vegetable oil, and lemon zest. Stir until it looks creamy and smooth, like sunshine in a bowl.

Step 5: Slowly mix in the dry ingredients. Stir just until combined. No over-mixing, unless you like rubbery lemon bricks (spoiler: you don’t).

Step 6: Pour the batter into the loaf pan. Smooth the top lovingly. Pop it in the oven for 50–55 minutes. Your kitchen will smell like happiness by minute 40.

Step 7: Once it cools, whisk the powdered sugar and lemon juice into a thick glaze. Pour it over the loaf and watch it drip down the sides like sweet, citrusy lava.

5) Tips for Making Starbucks Copycat Lemon Loaf

Use fresh lemons. Nothing from a bottle, okay? Trust me, you’ll taste the difference.

Don’t skimp on the zest. That’s where the real lemon flavor hides. It makes this easy sweet recipe extra dreamy.

Cool completely before glazing. If you glaze while it’s still warm, it’ll melt right off. Delicious puddle, but not what we’re going for here.

6) Making Starbucks Copycat Lemon Loaf Ahead of Time

You can totally bake this loaf a day ahead if you’re planning a brunch or just thinking ahead (honestly, good for you if you are). After baking, let it cool fully, wrap it snug in plastic, and stash it at room temperature.

Hold off on the glaze if you’re prepping ahead. Add the glaze the day you plan to serve it. That way it stays thick and pretty on top, not soaked into the cake like a lemony sponge.

This easy sweet recipe actually gets better on day two. The lemon flavor deepens, the loaf gets even more tender, and you feel like a baking genius with minimal effort.

7) Storing Leftover Starbucks Copycat Lemon Loaf

Wrap leftover slices tightly in plastic wrap or stash them in an airtight container. They’ll keep well on the counter for about three days. If you live somewhere humid (hey, Florida friends), keep it in the fridge to be safe.

Pop a slice in the microwave for about 10 seconds if you want that “just baked” feeling back. Warm lemon loaf is one of life’s underrated pleasures, trust me.

This easy sweet recipe stays soft, fresh, and coffee-break ready all week. If you have leftovers, that is. Good luck with that.

8) Try these Cakes next!

9) Starbucks Copycat Lemon Loaf Recipe