Lemon Pound Cake Loaves

Total Time

Prep: 20 min. Bake: 35 min. + cooling

Makes

2 mini loaves (6 pieces each)

Updated: May. 25, 2023
My family always asks for this love-me-tender lemon loaf cake. Sometimes, I shake things up and make cupcakes with the batter. So awesome for brunch! —Lola Baxter, Winnebago, Minnesota
Lemon Pound Cake Loaves Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup butter, softened
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon lemon extract
  • 1-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • ICING:
  • 3/4 cup confectioners' sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon grated lemon zest
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°. Grease and flour two 5-3/4x3x2-in loaf pans.
  2. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, 5-7 minutes. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in lemon zest and extracts. In another bowl, whisk flour, salt and baking soda; add to creamed mixture alternately with sour cream, beating well after each addition.
  3. Transfer to prepared pans. Bake 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pans 10 minutes before removing to wire racks to cool completely.
  4. In a small bowl, mix icing ingredients. Spoon over loaves.

Can you freeze Lemon Pound Cake Loaves?

Do not make icing. Securely wrap cooled loaves in foil, then freeze. To use, thaw loaves at room temperature. Prepare icing as directed.

Lemon Pound Cake Loaves Tips

Is loaf cake the same as pound cake?

They’re similar, but there are some important distinctions. Traditional pound cake is made with one pound each of butter, eggs, sugar and flour. Loaf cake simply refers to any cake that is baked in a loaf pan. This can include pound cake recipes, or other cakes and quick breads that boast a cakelike texture.

What makes a loaf cake moist?

The sour cream in this lemon loaf cake recipe yields a moist cake. If you're using another recipe, try adding a tablespoon or two of sour cream. It’s also recommended that your butter and eggs are at room temperature before beating.

Why is my lemon loaf dense?

It may need a hearty kick of leavening. Try adding a tablespoon of baking powder when whisking together the flour and salt. Also make sure your baking powder and baking soda are fresh. This test makes it easy to check.

How do I bake one larger loaf instead of two?

Prepare batter and bake in one greased and floured 8x4-in. loaf pan. Bake in a preheated 350° oven for 40-45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Ice as directed.

Research contributed by Amy Glander, Taste of Home Book Editor
For one large loaf: Make batter as directed; transfer to a greased and floured 8x4-in. loaf pan. Bake in a preheated 350° oven for 40-45 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Proceed as directed. Yield: 1 loaf (12 slices).

Nutrition Facts

1 slice: 262 calories, 10g fat (6g saturated fat), 58mg cholesterol, 201mg sodium, 39g carbohydrate (25g sugars, 1g fiber), 3g protein.