Blueberry Lemon Loaf Cake Recipe
If you’re craving something that tastes like a burst of sunshine wrapped in a comforting hug, this Blueberry Lemon Loaf Cake Recipe is exactly what you need. It’s a delightful blend of tangy lemon and sweet blueberries that’s moist, tender, and just perfect for any time of the day. I promise, once you try this, it’ll become your go-to for breakfast, snack, or even a simple dessert. Stick around—I’m going to walk you through it so you nail this cake every time!
Why This Recipe Works
- Balanced Flavors: The fresh lemon zest and juice brighten the sweet blueberries without overpowering, creating a perfect harmony.
- Moist Texture: Greek yogurt adds richness and moisture, giving the loaf a tender crumb that stays fresh longer.
- Simple Preparation: This recipe uses easy-to-find ingredients and straightforward steps, perfect even if you’re new to baking.
- Versatile Glaze: The lemon glaze adds a glossy, tangy finish that you can adjust for thickness and sweetness to your liking.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Each ingredient plays a special role in this Blueberry Lemon Loaf Cake Recipe to create that perfect balance of flavor and texture. Picking the right components is key, and I’ll share tips to make your shopping trip easier as well.

- Flour: All-purpose flour is the base, providing structure without making the cake too dense.
- Salt: Just a pinch to enhance all the flavors—you’ll be surprised how important this little guy is.
- Baking powder: Helps the cake rise nicely and achieve that perfect fluffy texture.
- Butter: Adds richness and beautiful flavor; using unsalted butter lets you control the saltiness.
- Eggs: Bind everything together and add moisture.
- Sugar: Sweetens the loaf and balances the lemon’s tartness—don’t skip it!
- Greek yogurt: This is my secret weapon for moistness and a slight tang that complements the lemon.
- Vanilla extract: Rounds out the flavors with a subtle sweetness.
- Fresh lemon juice & lemon zest: Freshness here is everything; these give the cake its bright, lively lemon flavor.
- Milk: Keeps the batter smooth and adds just enough liquid.
- Blueberries: Fresh or frozen works—fresh is best if you can find it, but I’ve used frozen with great success!
Tweak to Your Taste
I love making this Blueberry Lemon Loaf Cake Recipe my own depending on the season or what I have on hand. Feel free to mix in your favorite extras or swap ingredients to fit your taste or dietary needs.
- Variation: Sometimes I swap fresh blueberries for raspberries for a different berry twist. It’s just as delicious and bright!
- Dietary Modification: Using dairy-free yogurt and plant-based milk can make this cake friendly for dairy-free diets without losing moisture.
- Extra Zest: If you adore lemon like me, adding a bit more lemon zest to the batter amps up the citrus flavor really nicely.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Blueberry Lemon Loaf Cake Recipe
Step 1: Get Your Oven and Pan Ready
Preheat your oven to 370°F (that’s about 188°C). I usually grease my loaf pan with butter for that nice golden crust, but lining it with parchment paper works wonder too—it makes cleanup so much easier! Either way, make sure your pan is fully prepped before making the batter.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and baking powder. This ensures everything is evenly distributed so your cake rises perfectly. I always take a moment here because skipping this step can cause uneven texture.
Step 3: Beat the Wet Ingredients
Using an electric mixer, cream together the butter, eggs, sugar, Greek yogurt, vanilla extract, lemon juice, and lemon zest. This is where the magic begins—the batter should look creamy and smooth, with that fresh lemon aroma filling your kitchen. If you don’t have a mixer, a sturdy whisk will work; just be patient and keep stirring to get it well combined.
Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry
Now alternate adding half the dry ingredients and half the milk to the wet mix, starting and ending with the dry. Mix gently each time until just combined—don’t overmix or your loaf could turn dense. Watch for a smooth batter with no big lumps—it’s the perfect consistency!
Step 5: Fold in Blueberries
Gently fold in the blueberries by hand so you don’t crush them and turn your batter purple. I love how the berries burst when baked, leaving juicy pockets in each slice. If you use frozen blueberries, toss them briefly in a bit of flour to prevent sinking at the bottom.
Step 6: Bake and Cool
Pour the batter into your loaf pan and bake for around 48 to 53 minutes. A toothpick inserted in the center should come out clean or with just a few moist crumbs. If your oven runs hot, start checking at 45 minutes to avoid overbaking. When done, cool it on a wire rack so air can circulate all around for even cooling.
Step 7: Glaze It Up
While the loaf cools but is still just warm to the touch, whisk together melted butter, icing sugar, fresh lemon juice, and vanilla extract for the glaze. If you want a thicker glaze, sprinkle in an extra teaspoon of icing sugar. Pour it generously over the loaf and watch it soak into the cracks—delicious!
Pro Tips for Making Blueberry Lemon Loaf Cake Recipe
- Even Mixing: Always fold in blueberries gently at the end to keep them intact and avoid streaks in your batter.
- Fresh Over Frozen: Use fresh lemon juice and zest for a bright flavor; bottled juice just doesn’t compare.
- Parchment Paper Hack: Line your pan for fuss-free removal and a cleaner look when slicing your cake.
- Check Early for Doneness: Every oven bakes differently; checking a little early prevents a dry cake.
How to Serve Blueberry Lemon Loaf Cake Recipe

Garnishes
I usually keep the garnishes simple—extra lemon zest sprinkled on top of the glaze adds a fresh aroma and a pop of color. Sometimes, I dust a little powdered sugar or add fresh blueberries for a pretty, inviting look. If you want to be fancy, a dollop of whipped cream or a light cream cheese frosting pairs beautifully.
Side Dishes
This loaf cake is wonderful on its own, but it also pairs fantastically with a cup of your morning coffee or afternoon tea. If serving brunch, fresh fruit salad or a yogurt parfait on the side balances the sweetness nicely. It’s simple but feels special!
Creative Ways to Present
For parties or gifts, I like slicing the loaf into thick pieces, wrapping them in parchment with a sprig of mint and a few fresh blueberries tucked in. It’s charming and effortless. You can also serve warm slices topped with a scoop of lemon sorbet or vanilla ice cream for a refreshing dessert twist.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I usually store my leftover Blueberry Lemon Loaf Cake wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. The Greek yogurt helps it stay moist, but keeping it covered is key to preventing it from drying out.
Freezing
Freezing works fantastic! I slice the loaf before freezing, then wrap each piece in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer bag. When you want a quick treat, just pull out a slice and thaw it on the counter or pop it in the microwave for 20-30 seconds. It’s almost as good as fresh!
Reheating
To reheat, I like warming individual slices in the microwave for about 20 seconds or placing the whole loaf wrapped in foil in a 300°F oven for 10-15 minutes. This keeps it soft and brings out that lovely fresh-baked aroma again.
FAQs
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Can I use frozen blueberries in this Blueberry Lemon Loaf Cake Recipe?
Absolutely! Frozen blueberries work well, just toss them in a little flour before folding into the batter to prevent them from sinking to the bottom. This little trick keeps them evenly distributed in the cake.
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What’s the best way to zest lemons for this recipe?
Use a microplane grater for fine zest that disperses beautifully throughout the cake batter, giving that intense lemon flavor without any bitter white pith.
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Can I substitute Greek yogurt with sour cream or regular yogurt?
Yes! Sour cream is a great substitute that also adds moisture and tang. Plain regular yogurt works too, but try to use full-fat for better texture.
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How do I know when the loaf cake is done baking?
Insert a toothpick or a clean butter knife into the center of the cake. If it comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs, your cake is perfectly baked and ready to come out of the oven.
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Can I make this cake gluten-free?
You can! Substitute the flour with a gluten-free blend designed for baking. Just make sure it contains xanthan gum or another binder for the best texture.
Final Thoughts
This Blueberry Lemon Loaf Cake Recipe has become one of my all-time favorites because it’s simple, reliable, and always impresses with bright, refreshing flavors. I remember bringing it to a friend’s brunch and everyone kept asking for the recipe—it’s that good! I hope you love baking and sharing it just as much as I do. You’re going to enjoy every slice—promise!
Print
Blueberry Lemon Loaf Cake Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 53 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 3 minutes
- Yield: 10 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A moist and flavorful Blueberry Lemon Loaf Cake featuring a tender crumb infused with fresh lemon zest and juice, studded with juicy blueberries, and topped with a tangy lemon glaze. Perfect for breakfast, dessert, or a sweet snack.
Ingredients
Loaf Cake
- 1.5 cups flour
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1.5 tsp baking powder
- 1/3 cup butter
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup Greek yogurt
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 2 tbsp lemon zest
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 cup blueberries
Glaze
- 1.5 tbsp melted butter
- 1/2 cup icing sugar
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat the oven to 370°F (188°C). Grease a loaf pan with butter or line it with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and baking powder until evenly combined. Set aside.
- Cream Wet Ingredients: Using an electric mixer, blend the butter, eggs, sugar, Greek yogurt, vanilla extract, fresh lemon juice, and lemon zest until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients: Gradually add half of the dry flour mixture followed by half of the milk to the wet mixture. Mix until just combined. Repeat by adding the remaining flour mixture and milk, mixing gently to avoid overmixing.
- Fold in Blueberries: Gently fold the blueberries into the batter by hand to evenly distribute without crushing them.
- Bake the Cake: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Bake for 53 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Transfer the loaf to a wire rack to cool.
- Prepare the Glaze: Whisk together the melted butter, icing sugar, fresh lemon juice, and vanilla extract until smooth and lump-free. For a thicker glaze, add an additional teaspoon of icing sugar.
- Glaze the Loaf: Once the loaf is cooled but still warm to the touch, drizzle the glaze evenly over the top.
- Serve: Serve the Blueberry Lemon Loaf Cake warm for the best flavor and texture, or at room temperature if preferred. Enjoy!
Notes
- To prevent blueberries from sinking, toss them in a little flour before folding into the batter.
- Use fresh lemon juice and zest for the brightest flavor.
- Line the loaf pan with parchment paper for easier removal and cleaner edges.
- The glaze can be adjusted in thickness by adding more or less icing sugar.
- This cake stores well in an airtight container for 2-3 days.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute Greek yogurt and butter with plant-based alternatives.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (approx. 1/10th of loaf)
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 22 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg


