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Healthier Lemon Loaf Cake

Lower in sugar but full of sweet lemon flavor!
4.75 from 4 votes
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Course Dessert
Cuisine American

Equipment

  • 9-by-5-inch loaf pan

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup white whole wheat or whole wheat flour
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour or more whole wheat flour
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1/4 tsp fine salt
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/4 cup avocado or vegetable oil
  • 1/2 cup honey or maple syrup but the loaf will be darker in color
  • 1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce
  • 1/2 cup plain yogurt I use full-fat but any kind will work
  • 1/4 cup milk (any kind)
  • 2 Tbsp lemon zest from about 3 lemons
  • 3 Tbsp lemon juice

Lemon Glaze

  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 to 2 Tbsp lemon juice or use half milk for a less sour glaze

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease a standard 9-by-5-inch loaf pan. I like to place a piece of parchment paper on the bottom and up the sides like a "sling" so the loaf is easy to remove.
  • In a medium sized bowl, whisk together the flours, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
  • In a large bowl, whisk the remaining ingredeints together until combined. (Tip: measure the oil in a 1/4 cup measuring cup then measure the honey in there twice. It will come out really easily.)
  • Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Mix until just combined and no dry flour remains. It's ok if there are some lumps in the batter. Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan. Tap the pan on the counter a few times to even out the top.
  • Bake until golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean, 40 to 50 minutes. Cool completely before slicing.

Lemon Glaze

  • Add powdered sugar to a small bowl. Stir in the lemon juice (or milk) a little at a time until you get a thick but pourable glaze.
  • Spread the glaze evenly over the top of the cooled loaf. Allow to sit for 15 minutes for the glaze to harden then cut into slices.
Keyword healthier dessert, lemon, loaf cake