Go Back
+ servings
Slice of raspberry lemon loaf cake with lemon glaze and fresh raspberries on top

Lemon and Raspberry Loaf Cake

Soft lemon and raspberry loaf cake with a tender crumb, bright lemon flavor, and fresh raspberries throughout.
*Quick Note Before You Dive In: This recipe card covers the basics, but if you want to know how to achieve a soft, tender crumb and why a lumpy batter is best, scroll back up! Everything you need for foolproof results is in the post.
5 from 4 votes
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 55 minutes
Inactive Time 1 hour
Total Time 2 hours 10 minutes
Course baked goods, Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 10 slices
Calories 398 kcal

Ingredients
  

For the cake:

  • 1 ¾ cups (210g) all-purpose flour
  • 4 tablespoons lemon zest from about 4 lemons
  • 1 cup (198g) granulated sugar
  • ½ cup (114ml) buttermilk see note for substitution
  • 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon baking soda
  • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt see note
  • cup (132ml) vegetable oil
  • 6 ounce container fresh raspberries see note

For the glaze:

  • 1 ½ cups (170g) powdered sugar
  • 1 to 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon heavy cream

Instructions
 

Making the Lemon and Raspberry Loaf Cake:

  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease the bottom and sides of an 8.5 x 4.5-inch loaf pan, and line with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides. If you don’t have parchment paper, grease the pan well and dust lightly with flour, tapping out any excess.
  • Wash raspberries and dry thoroughly on paper towels. Set aside.
  • In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Reserve 1 tablespoon of this mixture and toss with the raspberries to coat.
  • In a large mixing bowl, combine the sugar and lemon zest. Rub the mixture between your fingers to release the lemon’s oils. (It should be highly fragrant and sandy in texture).
  • Add the eggs, buttermilk, and 2 tablespoons lemon juice. Whisk until combined.
  • Fold in half the dry ingredients, add the vegetable oil, stir until just combined, then fold in the remaining dry ingredients. Do not over-stir; the mixture should still be lumpy.
  • Set aside ⅓ of the raspberries. Gently fold in the remaining ⅔ of the raspberries into the batter without crushing them. (Be gentle with this step as the raspberries are delicate and you want to keep their shape).
  • Transfer batter to the prepared pan. Let the batter rest for 15 minutes (you should start to see small bubbles forming at the top).
  • Bake uncovered, for 10 minutes on the center rack.
  • Remove the pan from the oven and scatter the remaining raspberries over the top, gently pressing them into the partially cooked batter if needed. (They should be slightly submerged).
  • Return the pan to the oven and bake an additional 40 - 45 minutes. Check halfway through and cover loosely with foil if the top browns too quickly.
  • The loaf is done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, with no sticky batter on it.
  • Cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then invert it onto a wire rack set over a baking sheet. Turn the loaf right side up and refrigerate for 30 minutes.

Making the Glaze:

  • In a small bowl or measuring cup, whisk together the powdered sugar, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, and heavy cream until smooth. The glaze should be thick but pourable. Add the remaining tablespoon of lemon juice if needed to thin.
  • Slowly pour the glaze over the cooled loaf, letting it drip down the sides.
  • Transfer the raspberry lemon loaf to a serving platter and allow the glaze to set before slicing.

Notes:

  • If you don't have buttermilk, add 1½ teaspoons lemon juice or vinegar to ½ cup milk. Let it sit for 5 minutes until slightly thickened and curdled.
  • Dry raspberries thoroughly to prevent a gummy loaf
  • Use lemon zest for a stronger flavor without adding extra liquid from the lemon juice
  • Add a few raspberries after the initial bake to ensure even distribution of berries.
  • This recipe uses kosher salt. If you’re using table salt, use a little less than 1/4 teaspoon
  • Baking in grams: I provide both gram measurements and cup equivalents, but weighing ingredients is always the most accurate. A small digital scale removes that guesswork and will give you better bakes every time.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated and provided as an estimate. It is not intended as a substitute for professional dietary advice

Nutrition

Serving: 96gCalories: 398kcalCarbohydrates: 58gProtein: 5gFat: 17gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 9gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 52mgSodium: 182mgPotassium: 93mgFiber: 2gSugar: 39gVitamin A: 120IUVitamin C: 9mgCalcium: 69mgIron: 1mg
Keyword brunch ideas, easy lemon loaf cake, iced lemon loaf, lemon and raspberry loaf cake, lemon raspberry loaf, raspberry lemon loaf, spring baking
Enjoy this recipe?Please leave a comment and tag me @aspicedlifeblog on social