Lemon Loaf (Starbucks Copycat Recipe)
This copycat Starbucks Lemon Loaf recipe is moist, lemony, and has that signature dense, bakery-style crumb—plus a sweet-tart glaze on top. Perfect with your morning coffee or as an afternoon treat! And dare I say…better than Starbucks!?
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If you are a lover of all things lemon- like I am- then you have to try this copycat version of Starbuck’s famous Lemon Loaf! It’s so moist and bursting with lemony flavor, I would bet you’ll like this version better than the coffee giant’s!
It’s made extra simple using a boxed lemon cake mix and instant pudding for richness. The best part? We use a combo of butter and oil for the ultimate texture—just like the bakery-fresh slices at your favorite coffee shop.
Whether you’re making it for brunch, a sweet afternoon treat, or to go with your morning latte, this lemon loaf is a total crowd-pleaser!
🍋Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Perfect for gifting or freezing – Make a double batch and save one for later!
- Made with lemon cake mix – Quick and easy without sacrificing flavor. In fact, this loaf is bursting with lemon flavor because we use fresh lemon juice and zest in the batter and in the glaze.
- Rich and moist texture – Thanks to the combo of melted butter, oil, and sour cream. No dry breads over here!
- Bright lemon glaze – Just like the one you know and love from Starbucks.
What You’ll Need
Find the full, printable recipe with exact measurements at the bottom of this post. Read on for more details and tips!
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Equipment
- 9×5 Bread Loaf Pan
- Parchment paper– this helps to lift the loaf out easily after it’s cooked
- Mixing bowls
- Zester
- Electric Hand Mixer
Loaf Ingredients
- 1 box lemon cake mix (15.25 oz)
- 1 (3.4 oz) box instant lemon pudding mix
- 4 large eggs
- 1/4 cup melted butter, slightly cooled
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup milk
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1-2 tablespoon lemon zest (optional but adds extra zing!)
Glaze Ingredients
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2–3 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest (optional)
How To Make It
Preheat your oven to 350°F. Grease and flour a 9×5-inch loaf pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
Mix the batter: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together using an electric hand mixer the cake mix, lemon pudding mix, eggs, sour cream, melted butter, oil, milk, lemon juice, and lemon zest, until well combined. The batter will be thick and luscious!
Bake: Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan. Bake for 45–55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. (Mine was perfect at 50 minutes) If the top is browning too quickly, cover loosely with foil for the last 10–15 minutes.
Cool: Let the loaf cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then carefully transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Glaze it up: Whisk the powdered sugar, lemon juice and lemon zest until smooth. Drizzle over the cooled loaf and let it set for at least 15 minutes before slicing and enjoying!
Did you enjoy this recipe? Take a picture and tag me @StephGigliotti on social media and #StephRealLife. I would absolutely love to see your finished dish!
⭐ Please leave a 5-star rating in the recipe card below and/or a review in the comment section.
Serving Suggestions
- Pair it with hot coffee or iced tea for a perfect pick-me-up.
- Slice and wrap individual pieces for lunchboxes or road trips.
- Add fresh berries and a dollop of whipped cream to turn it into a plated dessert.
Tips
- I don’t have fresh lemons, what can I use? Add a teaspoon of lemon extract instead of lemon juice to the batter and 1/2 teaspoon to the glaze.
- Make it mini: Divide batter among mini loaf pans or muffin tins and reduce baking time to 20–25 minutes.
- Freeze for later: Wrap the cooled loaf tightly in plastic wrap and foil. Freeze for up to 2 months!
- Can I use all oil or all butter? Yes! All oil will give a lighter, moister crumb. All butter will give it more richness but slightly less moisture. A 50/50 blend gives the best of both worlds.
This copycat Starbucks lemon loaf made with cake mix and instant pudding is a total game-changer. It’s quick, easy, and has all the flavor and texture of the original—without the coffee shop price tag. Whether you’re baking for guests or just craving something sweet and citrusy, this loaf is sure to hit the spot!
Try These Next
- Slow Cooker Carrot Cake Oatmeal
- Pumpkin Pie French Toast Bake
- Air Fryer Donut Holes
- Apple Cider Baked Donuts
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Lemon Loaf (Starbucks Copycat)
Equipment
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat your oven to 350°F. Grease and flour a 9×5-inch loaf pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
- Mix the batter: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together using an electric hand mixer the cake mix, lemon pudding mix, eggs, sour cream, melted butter, oil, milk, lemon juice, and lemon zest, until well combined. The batter will be thick and luscious!
- Bake: Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan. Bake for 45–55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. (Mine was perfect at 50 minutes) If the top is browning too quickly, cover loosely with foil for the last 10–15 minutes.
- Cool: Let the loaf cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then carefully transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Glaze it up: Whisk the powdered sugar, lemon juice and lemon zest until smooth. Drizzle over the cooled loaf and let it set for at least 15 minutes before slicing and enjoying!
Delicious!
5 ⭐️ recipe ~ If you like Lemon and want a tasty summer treat, this will quickly become a favorite!
yay!