This Copycat Starbucks Lemon Loaf Tastes 'Exactly the Same' but Costs a Fraction of the Price

Remember how, as a kid, there were just certain ways you needed to eat something to make sure you ended up with the perfect bite? Like eating the edges that have neither frosting nor filling of a Frosted Strawberry Pop Tart first so you save the frosted fruity part for last? Or licking around the edges of an ice cream sandwich, getting as much ice cream out as possible so that all you’re left with are the chocolate cookies?

I admit—I still do both of those things. And I’ve picked up another quirky snack-eating habit as an adult. It’s the way I eat a slice of Starbucks Iced Lemon Loaf. I break off pieces of the lemony, moist cake starting from the bottom and savor each one, saving the top—the part with the icing—for last. That sweet and sour icing is just so delicious. 

I’ve tried making various lemon loaves over the years, hoping to find one that mirrored what I love about Starbucks, but I’ve never tried a recipe that claimed to imitate the coffee house’s version. But now I’ve found one.

What Is Starbucks Iced Lemon Loaf?

Starbucks Iced Lemon Loaf is part of its bakery selections, and it's been on the menu for years. The "citrusy, buttery, moist lemon pound cake" is "topped with a sweet icing" and sold in slices. It's usually in the glass case right before you get to the cashier to place your order, quietly whispering, "You know you want more than just coffee. You know you want a slice of me."

How to Make a Copycat Version of Starbucks Iced Lemon Loaf

Making an at-home version of the hard-to-resist lemony pound cake isn't difficult. You need to have the right ingredients, and this Copycat Starbucks Iced Lemon Loaf recipe has it figured out. 

Along with the usual suspects that go into a loaf cake, such as eggs, oil, and milk, here are a few key ingredients you'll need to achieve the flavor and texture of Starbucks' Iced Lemon Loaf:

• Yellow cake mix: This replaces flour, sugar, and a leavening agent such as baking powder or baking soda in the batter. It also contains salt, so you won't need to add additional salt. 
• Non-instant lemon pudding mix: This gives the loaf a jump start on the lemony flavor, plus adds a ton of moisture. 
• Sour cream: Sour cream adds moisture and tanginess. 
• Lemon juice: Real lemon adds extra lemon flavor to both the lemon loaf and the icing. 

The recipe is straightforward. Mix all the loaf ingredients and pour them into two greased loaf pans. Bake at 350 degrees F for about 50 minutes. Allow to cool. Then, combine confectioner sugar and lemon juice for the icing. Ice the loaf top and enjoy!

How to Freeze Lemon Loaf

Since the recipe makes two loaves, you may want to freeze one of them for later. Freeze lemon loaf as you would cake: After the loaf has cooled completely, wrap it—without icing—in a layer of plastic wrap and then two layers of aluminum foil. Freeze for up to three months. Defrost, still wrapped, overnight or for at least 8 hours in the refrigerator.  

Variations on Lemon Loaf

This loaf is pretty perfect as-is. Allrecipes member Stacy Chase says it tastes "exactly the same" as the original. But as usual, our members have ways to make it their own. Here are a few suggestions:

• Add extra lemon juice and zest "for an extra lemon punch," advises Allrecipes member Izy.
• Member Stacy Chase suggests using muffin tins instead of loaf pans to make cupcakes that taste like Starbucks Iced Lemon Loaf. 
• Cassiecat11 ups the lemon flavor by using lemon cake mix and lemon zest in the batter and the icing.

Copycat Starbucks Iced Lemon Loaf Is a Money-Saver

A slice of Starbucks iced Lemon Loaf costs about $4.25, depending on where you purchase it. This recipe makes two lemon loaves, each baked in a 9x5-inch loaf pan, using about $10 to $12 worth of ingredients. Depending on how thick you slice the loaves, there are about 12 servings in the recipe. It would cost over $50 to buy 12 slices at Starbucks.

If you crave this lemony cake frequently, it might be worth your time and money to make it a once-in-a-while treat from Starbucks and a more regular one you’ve baked at home.