Sliced lemon yogurt loaf cake with lemon zest and garnish on a wooden board in natural light.

Easy Lemon Yogurt Loaf Cake

Prep10 minCook50 minRest / wait15 minTotal75 min

Original recipe: 4 servings · Easy

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Ingredients

  • 1½ cups
  • ¾ cup
  • 2 teaspoons
  • ¼ teaspoon
  • 1 cup
  • ⅓ cup
  • 3
  • 2 teaspoons

    from 2 medium lemons

  • ¼ cup

    about 1 medium lemon

  • 1 teaspoon

Ingredient quantities adjust from the original 4 servings. Instructions and cooking times stay unchanged.

Measurement guide

tbsp = tablespoon · tsp = teaspoon. Use measuring spoons, not table cutlery. Metric equivalents are estimates. ¾ = three quarters; ½ = one half; ¼ = one quarter.

Directions

  1. Preheat oven and prepare pan

    Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease an 8 x 4-inch loaf pan with butter or nonstick spray and lightly flour it to prevent sticking.

  2. Mix dry ingredients

    In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt until well blended.

  3. Combine wet ingredients

    In another large bowl, whisk the Greek yogurt, vegetable oil, eggs, lemon zest, fresh lemon juice, and vanilla extract until smooth and well combined.

  4. Combine wet and dry mixtures

    Add the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients. Stir with a spatula gently until just combined. Do not overmix; some small lumps are fine.

  5. Bake the loaf cake

    Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Smooth the top with a spatula. Bake in the preheated oven for 45 to 50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

  6. Cool the cake

    Remove the cake from the oven and place the pan on a wire rack. Let it cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then remove the cake from the pan and cool completely on the rack before slicing.

This easy lemon yogurt loaf cake combines fresh lemon flavor with the creamy tang of yogurt for a moist, tender crumb.

It's a simple recipe that uses basic ingredients found in most kitchens, making it ideal for beginner bakers.

Perfect as a sweet dessert or a delightful snack with tea or coffee.

Equipment

  • loaf pan (8 x 4 inches)
  • mixing bowls
  • whisk
  • measuring cups and spoons
  • grater
  • spatula

Metric measurements

For the original 4 servings. This reference table stays fixed when you change the portions above.

Ingredient US amount Metric equivalent
all-purpose flour 1½ cups 180 grams
granulated sugar ¾ cup 150 grams
baking powder 2 teaspoons 8 grams
salt ¼ teaspoon 1 gram
plain Greek yogurt 1 cup 245 grams
vegetable oil ⅓ cup 80 milliliters
large eggs 3 3 large
lemon zestfrom 2 medium lemons 2 teaspoons 4 grams
fresh lemon juiceabout 1 medium lemon ¼ cup 60 milliliters
vanilla extract 1 teaspoon 5 milliliters

Cooking tips

  • For extra lemon flavor, you can add a simple lemon glaze by mixing powdered sugar with a little fresh lemon juice and drizzle it over the cooled cake.
  • Use room temperature eggs and yogurt for a better batter consistency.
  • Do not overmix the batter to keep the cake tender and moist.

Substitutions

  • Plain yogurt can be used instead of Greek yogurt, but the texture may be slightly less dense.
  • You can substitute vegetable oil with melted butter for a richer flavor.
  • If fresh lemons aren’t available, 2 tablespoons bottled lemon juice can be used, but fresh zest is recommended for best flavor.

Storage and reheating

Store the cooled lemon yogurt loaf cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, wrap tightly and refrigerate for up to 1 week or freeze for up to 2 months.

Allergen notes

Potential allergens include eggs, milk, wheat/gluten. Check all labels and substitutions; this is not an exhaustive allergen assessment.