Lemony Lemon Bread

Spring is here, Easter is this weekend, and lemons are on sale this week!!  Since I am not a chocolate fan, (I know, unusual for a woman - but not to worry my dear husband makes up for it), I just love lemon baked goods.  When I saw that large lemons were 39 cents each, my mouth started watering for a slice of my Lemony Lemon Bread.  And the best part is you get 2 breads for about $5.00.  It takes a little work, but SO worth the time.  Let me show you:

Preheat your oven at 350 degrees.  Spray and flour 2 loaf pans.  (this way the oven is hot and ready to go)

2 sticks unsalted butter, room temperature
2 1/2 cups sugar
5 large eggs, room temperature
1/3 cup + 4 Tabs grated lemon zest
3 cups flour
1/2 teas baking powder
1/2 teas baking soda
1 teas kosher salt
3/4  cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
3/4 cup buttermilk, room temperature
1 teas pure vanilla extract
1 cup confection's sugar
1 1/2 Tabs freshly squeezed lemon juice

First you want to grate your lemon peel and then squeeze the juice from your lemons.  Depending on the size of your lemons you will need about 6 medium, 8 small, or if you get the very large lemons you only need 4.  I was able to look through the lemons and find 6 very large lemons,  4 lemons gave me more than enough lemon zest.  (I'll put the extra in a zip lock bag and freeze it so that I can use it later).

In a large bowl cream the 2 sticks of butter and 2 cups of sugar, until light and fluffy, (about 5 minutes), on medium speed

Once you get the mixture light and fluffy, add your eggs, (1 at a time) and beat them in.   NOTE:  if you have extra large eggs, you can use only 4).

 Now add in 1/3 cup of the freshly grated lemon zest, and mix in.

In a separate bowl, sift together: flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Mix together.

In a small bowl combine buttermilk, vanilla, and 1/4 cup of freshly squeezed lemon juice.  Mix together.

 Now starting with the flour mixture, add 1/3 of the flour mixture to the butter mixture.

 Next add 1/2 of the buttermilk mixture to the butter mixture.

Now add another 1/3 of the flour mixture to the butter mixture.

Now the remaining 1/2 of the buttermilk mixture to the butter mixture.

Now add the remaining 1/3 flour mixture to the butter mixture.

 You will end up with this wonderful this lemony cake batter mixture.  Gosh this smells wonderful and looks golden and sunshine yellowy.  I wish you could smell this wonderful mix.

Now divide the mixture evenly between the 2 loaf pans And bake for 45 to 60 minutes until done, (depending on how hot your oven bakes).  These 2 loafs were done in 45 minutes.  Test the center of the loaf with a toothpick, if it comes out clean, the loaf is done.





While the loafs are baking; in a small saucepan combine the remaining 1/2 cup sugar with 1/2 cup of the lemon juice, (you will still have 1 1/2 Tabs of lemon juice left for the glaze on top).  Cook over low heat until the sugar is dissolves, stirring occasionally.  Set aside.

Once the loafs are done, let them cool for 10 minutes in the pan, then turn them out onto a rack placed over a sheet pan

While the loafs are still warm, slowly pour the lemon syrup over the top of the loafs.  I also use a spoon to scoop up the syrup that drains onto the sheet pan and spoon that back over the top, so I can get all the great lemony flavor into the cake loafs.  Let loafs cool.

In a small bowl stir together the 1 cup of confectioners sugar and 1 1/2 Tabs of remaining lemon juice to make a glaze.  Drizzle this over the top of the completely cooled loaf.  Then sprinkle the remaining 4 Tabs of lemon zest over the top of the 2 loafs.

These loafs are so light and lemony, they just taste like springtime!!  My neighbor will really appreciate the loaf we give them.  The first loaf doesn't last very long around our house, so I have to give the second loaf away fast!!

Just wrap the loaf in plastic wrap and it keeps well in the refrigerator.  Or, better yet, make these beauties up while the lemons are cheap, freeze them and have them all summer long.

Enjoy this wonderful treat, we do.  Great after dinner treat, or a mid-day snack.