Lemon Loaf Cake Recipe

 Ingredients:

– **For the cake:**
– 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
– 1 teaspoon baking powder
– ½ teaspoon salt
– 1 cup granulated sugar
– ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
– 2 large eggs
– 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
– 2 tablespoons lemon zest (about 2 lemons)
– 1 tablespoon lemon juice
– ½ cup whole milk

– **For the lemon glaze:**
– 1 cup powdered sugar
– 2-3 tablespoons lemon juice

 Instructions:

1. **Preheat the Oven:**
– Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5 inch loaf pan and line it with parchment paper, leaving some overhang on the sides for easy removal.

2. **Prepare the Dry Ingredients:**
– In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.

3. **Cream the Butter and Sugar:**
– In a large bowl, using a hand mixer or a stand mixer, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.

4. **Add the Eggs and Flavorings:**
– Beat in the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Add the vanilla extract, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Mix until combined.

5. **Combine the Ingredients:**
– Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, alternating with the milk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.

6. **Bake the Cake:**
– Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top with a spatula. Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

7. **Cool the Cake:**
– Let the cake cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then use the parchment paper overhang to lift it out and transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.

8. **Prepare the Lemon Glaze:**
– In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and lemon juice until smooth. Adjust the consistency by adding more lemon juice if needed.

9. **Glaze the Cake:**
– Once the cake is completely cool, drizzle the lemon glaze over the top. Let it set for a few minutes before slicing and serving.

Enjoy your homemade lemon loaf cake! If you have any specific modifications or additional ingredients you’d like to incorporate, feel free to let me know!