• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Savory Thoughts
  • Home
  • About
    • Privacy Policy
  • Recipes
    • Main Dishes
    • Breakfast
    • Side Dishes
    • Vegetarian
    • Sweets
    • Drinks and Cocktails
    • Seafood
    • Soups and Stews
    • Vitamix
    • Haitian
    • Instant Pot
    • Air Fryer
  • Shop
  • Contact
  • Navigation Menu: Social Icons

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Quick Easy & Delicious Haitian Recipes
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Easter Recipes » French Lemon Loaf Cake

    French Lemon Loaf Cake

    Posted On January 12, 2022 By Mirlene Last updated January 12, 2022 11 Comments

    • Pin
    • Share
    • Yummly
    • Mix
    • Flipboard
    Jump to Recipe
    French Style lemon loaf cake Pinterest Pin

    This lemon loaf cake is nothing but perfection. Popular for the tangy flavor and fluffy texture, every bite of this cake is moist and delivers a punch of fresh lemon flavor, while the lemon glazing will keep you hooked!

    • lemon loaf cake with icing and lemon

    If you are a fan of desserts but don’t like too much sweet, then this lemon loaf cake is everything you need to spruce up your snack time or teatime.

    French Style Lemon Loaf Cake

    Softly, pungent, and buttery Lemon Cake from France. It has long historical background and became known around the world after WWII. 

    This French style Lemon loaf cake is a pound cake made in loaf pan. Typically loaf pans are made from Teflon and nonstick material and are perfect for baking bread and this lemon loaf cake. Some are designed with sharp edges, promising the even texture of the cake. 

    This French style lemon pound cake is made from a batter of fresh lemon juice and grated lemon zest. In addition, the cake is infused with lemon syrup to add a lemony kick to the cake. 

    In addition, once the cake is properly cooled down, it’s topped with a deliciously flavored lemon glaze or icing, which is the ultimate star of this cake. 

    This lemon loaf cake recipe will leave you with a moist dessert, but also boast a fluffy texture that literally melts in your mouth. On top of everything, this lemon loaf cake can be stored for days without losing its freshness!

    What’s So Unique About This Cake

    To start, this cake includes fresh lemon juice. Lemon loaf cake is a flavorful and dense cake that provides the perfect lemony flavor from the freshly squeezed lemon juice. 

    This cake does not include sour cream as you’d find from most lemon cake recipes, instead, milk is included to provide moisture. As the name suggests, it provides a unique lemon flavor to the cake. 

    • lemon loaf cake with icing

    It is originally City of Menton, France. The city placed between Monaco and France. Menton is popular thanks to its delicious and juicy lemons. 

    It is actually a harbor city in the Mediterranean part of France. 67 lemon trees were first recognized around the 16thcentury. Overtime, the lemons started being imported all around the world especially to England. 

    Also, Menton has a unique Lemon Festival. It is a tradition for the city and Lemon Cake serves as the star dessert in the festival as well as all over France.  

    The most unique thing about this lemon pound cake is that it has elastic crumbs and tight grains as a result of the added butter, which is why they are considered pound cake. Lemon loaf cake date back to 1700, and it was first baked in England as a loaf. 

    It’s safe to say that it’s a simple and moist cake, and the lemony flavor is achieved through the lemon zest. 

    It’ Not Just About The Taste

    It doesn’t matter if you have been a chocolate cake lover, take one bite of this, and you won’t be able to turn your head from it. 

    • moist lemon cake

    If making this lemon loaf cake with whole wheat flour, it will have a low-fat content while remain rich in phytochemicals and fiber. In addition, the lemon peels deliver limonene to the cake, a cancer-fighting component.

    If preparing this cake for individuals with dairy restrictions, but for that, we recommend you use plant milk and binding agent. Also, if you don’t add berries, this cake will be perfect for people following the low microbial diet.

    Ingredients

    For the cake, we recommend serving it with hot Earl Grey Tea for making its aroma double. The full recipe with the exact measurements is listed in the recipe card below. For now, here’s what you’ll need:

    Butter: The butter will provide richness to the cake as well as crumbs around the edges. 

    Caster Sugar: Is used as a sweetener to the cake. 

    Egg: The egg will help bind the ingredients together and keep the cake from falling apart. 

    Lemon for zesting and juice: The star of the cake and will provide that fresh lemony flavor. 

    Flour: Add substance to the cake.

    Baking Powder: Will help the cake to rise. 

    Milk: Will provide moisture. 

    Cooking Method:

    Mix The Wet Ingredients: Using a stand mixer or handheld electric mixer, whisk egg and caster sugar on high speed. When it is fluffy, add in the lemon zest and juice from 1 lemon. Then add the milk slowly. Set aside.

    • lemon loaf cake with lemon slices on parchment paper

    Combine The Dry Ingredients: Combine the flour, salt, and baking powder and set aside.

    Mix Wet & Dry: Next, add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Whisk until well combined.

    Melt The Butter: Melt the butter in the microwave for about 30-45 seconds. Allow cooling if it is too hot. Then pour the butter in the batter.

    Bake: Lightly spray the loaf pan with oil, then pour the batter into a loaf pan. Using a butter knife, pour any leftover butter onto the knife and use the knife to make lines in the batter.

    Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean when inserted in the middle.

    • slices of lemon loaf cake with lemon

    Serving Suggestions

    Honestly, this cake is so delicious that it doesn’t need any other food item. It can be served on its own or with tea. Also, if you have to serve it, serve the cake at room temperature because the crumb will be moist and tender, promising nothing but deliciousness! 

    How To Store

    At room temperature: The lemon loaf cake will remain fresh for one to two days.

    Refrigerator: The cake will last in the refrigerator for up to seven days. Be sure to wrap the cake with plastic wrap, or placing it in an airtight container to prolong the lifespan.

    Freezer: Place the cake in a freezer safe container and it will last up to 1 month. When ready to serve, reheat for 5-6 minutes. Best to thaw overnight.  We recommend slicing the cake before freezing it. 

    More Cakes To Enjoy

    If you loved this French Style lemon cake, we recommend trying our Haitian cake next and any of the cakes listed below. 

     Mini Red Velvet Cake

    Red Velvet Bundt Cake

    Strawberry Layer Cake

    Baileys Irish Cream Cupcake

    Carrot Cake Bread – Loaf Recipe

    Dairy Free Carrot Cake

    Air Fryer Cheesecake

    Air Fryer Orange Cake

    • slices of lemon loaf cake

    It warms our hearts to see the recipes you make from this site, and we’d especially would love to know if you tried this recipe.

    Tag us on Instagram or Facebook so we can see your beautiful dish.

    Also, we would appreciate if could give it a star rating below!

    slices of lemon loaf cake with lemon

    The Best Lemon Loaf Cake Recipe

    Savory Thoughts
    Popular for the tangy flavor and fluffy texture, every bite of this lemon loaf cake is moist and delivers a punch of fresh lemon flavor, while the lemon glazing will keep you hooked!
    5 from 6 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 20 mins
    Cook Time 30 mins
    Cooling Time 1 hr
    Total Time 1 hr 50 mins
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine French
    Servings 8 People
    Calories 779 kcal

    Equipment

    • Loaf Pan

    Ingredients
      

    Wet Ingredients

    • ½ Cup Caster Sugar
    • 1 Egg
    • 1 Lemon for Juice And Zesting
    • ⅓ Cup Milk
    • ½ Cup Butter Melted

    Dry Ingredients

    • 1 Cup All-Purpose Flour
    • 2 Tsp. Baking Powder
    • Pinch Of Salt

    Lemon Glaze Icing (Glaçage)

    • 2 ½ Cup Powder Sugar
    • Juice From 2 Lemon Plus Zesting
    Makes: 9inch9 x 5inch rectangle

    Instructions
     

    • Mix The Wet Ingredients: Using a stand mixer or handheld electric mixer, whisk egg and caster sugar on high speed. When it is fluffy, add in the lemon zest and juice from 1 lemon. Then add the milk slowly. Set aside.
      Combine The Dry Ingredients: Combine the flour, salt, and baking powder and set aside.
      Step-1-8
    • Mix Wet & Dry: Next, add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Whisk until well combined. 
      Melt The Butter: Melt the butter in the microwave for about 30-45 seconds. Allow cooling if it is too hot. Then pour the butter in the batter.
      Bake: Lightly spray the loaf pan with oil, then pour the batter into a loaf pan. Using a butter knife, pour any leftover butter onto the knife and use the knife to make lines in the batter. 
      Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean when inserted in the middle.
      Cool Before applying the icing
      Step-9-16

    Lemon Glaze Icing (Glaçage)

    • To make the Glaçage, combine the lemon juice and powder sugar together. Mix well to combine.
      whisking lemon icing
    • Poor the icing over the cooled cake and refrigerate for 1 hour or until the icing has set.
      lemon icing in bowl

    Notes

    **** When printing the recipe, please unselect the camera so that the pictures are NOT printed with the recipe (if preferred).
     
    Calories are estimated per serving.
     
    Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. See our full Privacy Policy. We may receive compensation by clicking on the links and or making a purchase.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 8PeopleCalories: 779kcalCarbohydrates: 116gProtein: 22gFat: 27gSaturated Fat: 15gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 241mgSodium: 653mgPotassium: 116mgFiber: 1gSugar: 67gVitamin A: 188IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 103mgIron: 2mg
    Making this recipe?Mention @MSavoryThoughts or tag #SavoryThoughts!
    Tried this recipe?Mention @SavoryThoughts or tag #SavoryThoughts!
    « Swedish Potato Salad
    Haitian Style Smoked Herring »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Jill

      January 19, 2022 at 3:32 am

      5 stars
      This loaf cake looks like one that I need to try soon!

      Reply
      • Mirlene

        January 21, 2022 at 2:28 am

        I am so glad to hear that Jill. I hope you enjoy it.

        Reply
    2. Shadi Hasanzadenemati

      January 19, 2022 at 2:37 am

      5 stars
      Love how easy this recipe is. It’s perfect for our family!

      Reply
      • Mirlene

        January 21, 2022 at 2:29 am

        Yay! I am so glad to hear it.

        Reply
    3. Jamie

      January 19, 2022 at 1:37 am

      5 stars
      This was wonderful with my morning tea and had so much lemon flavor! We can’t stop eating it, it’s so good!

      Reply
      • Mirlene

        January 21, 2022 at 2:29 am

        It is so addictive. Thank you so much, Jamie.

        Reply
    4. Cathleen

      January 19, 2022 at 1:31 am

      5 stars
      Lemon cake might be my favourite thing to eat, so I know that this recipe is going to be a hit in my kitchen. Bookmarked to make this weekend, thanks so much for the recipe 🙂

      Reply
      • Mirlene

        January 21, 2022 at 2:33 am

        We love it so much. I hope you like it too. Thank you, Cathleen

        Reply
    5. Rika

      January 18, 2022 at 11:47 pm

      5 stars
      I always love loaf cakes with lemon flavor! A very refreshing touch.

      Reply
      • Mirlene

        January 21, 2022 at 2:33 am

        Thank you so much.

        Reply
    6. Amber

      January 12, 2022 at 1:07 pm

      5 stars
      If you love a refreshing lemon flavor, you’ll love this lemon loaf cake. Super easy to make and is very delicious.

      Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    We’re AJ & Mirlene. We create delicious traditional Haitian Food Recipes with a spin to make it easy for you to make. Join us and let's cook something delicious!

    Learn more about us ->

    Savory Thoughts Author Portrait

    As Seen On

    Favorite Recipes

    Copyright © 2022 · SAVORYTHOUGHTS.COM · Privacy Policy