Moist Lemon Bread with Lemon Glaze

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly mist a 9×5‑inch loaf pan with cooking spray, then line it with parchment paper to ensure your lemon bread lifts out cleanly after baking.

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together 1 1/2 cups all‑purpose flour, 1 cup granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. This dry mixture creates the base for your soft, moist lemon bread.

In a medium bowl, whisk together 2 large eggs, 1/2 cup buttermilk, 1/3 cup vegetable oil, 1/3 cup Greek yogurt, the zest of 2 lemons, 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. The buttermilk adds acidity, which helps soften the crumb and keeps your lemon bread incredibly tender and moist.

Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl of dry ingredients and stir gently until just combined. The batter should look slightly lumpy—this is exactly what you want for a soft, moist lemon bread. Avoid overmixing, as it can make the loaf dense or tough.

Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top. Bake for 45 to 50 minutes, rotating the pan once during baking, until the lemon bread is golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Once the lemon bread is finished baking, remove the pan from the oven and set it on a cooling rack. Let the loaf cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then lift it out using the parchment paper and transfer it directly to the rack to finish cooling completely. This helps the lemon bread set properly and keeps the crumb tender and moist.

To make the glaze, whisk together 1/4 cup powdered sugar and 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice in a small bowl until smooth. The glaze should be pourable and silky, adding a bright, tangy finish to your lemon bread.

Drizzle the glaze over the completely cooled lemon bread, letting it flow naturally over the top. Allow the loaf to rest for 10–15 minutes so the glaze can set slightly before slicing. This gives your lemon bread that beautiful, lemony finish.

Enjoy!

Check out our other quick bread recipes, like our Banana Nut Bread, Persimmon Spice Bread, and Apple Bread.