Lemon Butter Sweet Bread
Soft, rich, and fragrant with fresh lemon zest, this sweet bread has a fine crumb and balanced sweetness. Butter replaces oil for a more traditional bakery-style texture and fuller flavor.
Servings 10 slices
Calories 290kcal
Ingredients
- 2 cups 250 g all-purpose flour
- 1 cup 200 g granulated sugar
- ½ tsp fine sea salt
- 1 ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ cup 113 g unsalted butter, softened
- 2 large eggs
- ¾ cup 180 ml whole milk (or buttermilk for extra tenderness)
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon zest
- ¼ cup 60 ml fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Optional Lemon Glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 –3 tbsp fresh lemon juice
Instructions
- 1️⃣ Prep
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Grease and line a 9x5 loaf pan with parchment.
- 2️⃣ Cream Butter & Sugar
- Beat softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy (2–3 minutes).
- This step incorporates air and helps create a tender crumb.
- 3️⃣ Add Eggs
- Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each.
- 4️⃣ Add Flavor
- Mix in lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla.
- 5️⃣ Combine Dry Ingredients
- In a separate bowl, whisk flour, salt, baking powder, and baking soda.
- 6️⃣ Alternate & Mix
- Add dry ingredients in two additions, alternating with milk.
- Mix just until combined — do not overmix.
- 7️⃣ Bake
- Pour into prepared loaf pan.
- Bake 50–60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
- If browning too quickly, tent loosely with foil after 40 minutes.
- 8️⃣ Cool
- Cool in pan 10–15 minutes, then transfer to rack.
- 9️⃣ Glaze (Optional)
- Whisk powdered sugar and lemon juice until smooth.
- Drizzle over fully cooled loaf.
Notes
📊 Approximate Nutrition (Per Slice, 1/12 loaf)
Calories: ~290
Total Fat: 13 g
Saturated Fat: 8 g
Cholesterol: 65 mg
Sodium: 150 mg
Total Carbohydrates: 40 g
Sugars: 20 g
Protein: 4 g
(Nutrition is an estimate and may vary by brand.)
✨ For a Stronger Lemon Flavor
Add ½ tsp lemon extract
Rub lemon zest into sugar before creaming (releases oils)
Brush warm loaf with 1–2 tbsp lemon syrup (equal parts lemon juice + sugar heated until dissolved)