Lemon Blueberry Loaf (Super Moist With Big Flavor)
“I made this loaf for a refreshment needed for a meeting; I received so many compliments! The loaf was moist, kept its shape when I precut slices and had a beautiful presentation” Diane
Moist, lemony and bursting with juicy blueberries, this lemon blueberry loaf is perfect for a tea, shower or brunch.
My inspiration for this lemon blueberry loaf was to make something a bit lighter to serve after a big Thai meal.
I froze a few leftover slices after we devoured most of the loaf. Mostly to keep my husband from polishing them off. A few days later, I was looking for something to satisfy my after-dinner sweet tooth craving and pulled out the frozen slices. Too impatient to wait until they defrosted, I microwaved them for 20 seconds and inadvertently discovered that lemon-blueberry loaf warmed-up is sublime!
The recipe below is a version of 3 recipes by Ina Garten, Jo Cooks and Nagi from TinEats with a couple of minor tweaks.
What to expect
No stand mixer or hand mixer is needed – just mix with a whisk – my kind of recipe!
The end result is a simple, delicious super moist loaf that is easy to make and full of blueberry and lemon flavor. Not super low cal, but not bad as desserts go. So grab a cup of coffee and get baking 🙂
Ingredients – tailored to your taste
Cake ingredients – We start with typical cake ingredients – flour, sugar, baking powder, eggs, oil and vanilla. We add sour cream for extra moistness, lemon zest and fresh blueberries.
Lemon syrup – this is optional for extra moisture and deeper lemon flavor. It’s just lemon juice mixed with a touch of sugar.
Glaze: A glaze of icing sugar, lemon juice and vanilla adds a nice finish, but is also optional.
Variations and substitutes
- To make the loaf lighter (less calories):
- Leave out the lemon syrup. Or alternatively, use the syrup and leave out the glaze.
- Substitute Greek yogurt or plain lower-fat yogurt for the sour cream.
- Replace half the oil with applesauce (but note the texture of the loaf will be denser).
- Just eat half a slice 🙂
- Blueberries: Try blackberries or raspberries instead of blueberries. Or leave out the blueberries – but you will then have to call it lemon loaf 🙂
- Garnish the loaf with lemon zest if you like.
Step by step instructions
Tips
- To measure flour, scoop it into a measuring cup, then level if off with a knife. Don’t just dip the scoop into the flour as this packs it in too much.
- Don’t overmix the batter to avoid a dense loaf.
- Toss the blueberries in flour before adding them to the batter. This will prevent them for all sinking to the bottom.
- Loaf pans and doneness: Glass loaf pan don’t conduct heat as well so the loaf will take longer to bake than in a metal pan. Regardless of the pan type, insert a toothpick or cake tester in the loaf to check if it is done. If it comes out clean or with a few crumbs, your loaf is ready.
- If the glaze is too thick, add a bit more lemon juice or water. If it’s too thin, add a bit more icing sugar.
- The loaf is delicious warmed in the microwave for a few seconds.
Make Ahead
- Store leftovers a sealed container or ziploc bag at room temperature or in the fridge.
- The loaf also freezes well, well wrapped, for up to 3 months in the freezer.
Troubleshooting FAQs
The loaf sinking in the middle may happen if the loaf is underbaked. Ensure you bake it until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, and avoid opening the oven door.
Overmixing the batter can cause a dense loaf. Mix just until the ingredients are combined to avoid developing too much gluten.
Ensure your baking powder is fresh. Also, properly whisk the oil and sugar to incorporate enough air into the batter.
Yes, you can use frozen blueberries. Do not thaw them. Toss frozen blueberries in flour to prevent them from bleeding too much into the batter.
The outside of the loaf cooks at a faster rate than the inside, so the inside of the cake continues to cook and rise, cracking the top crust. You can try lowering the temperature of the oven next time (especially if using a glass loaf pan), but the cracking is not a big deal with this loaf.
Other fruit based cakes you might like
- Super moist banana bread (also no equipment needed and one of our top 3 most popular recipes)
- Best banana cake with chocolate icing (my fave)
- Apple cake recipe with bourbon caramel sauce
- Carrot and pineapple cake
- Peach tarte titin (for beginners)
- Berry cake (with frozen or fresh berries)
- Apple and blueberry crumble
Please leave a 5 star rating ***** with a comment in the recipe card below if you like the recipe, Thanks so much!
Lemon Blueberry Loaf (Super Moist With Big Flavor)
Ingredients
For Loaf
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, Note 1
- 2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup sour cream or plain or Greek yoghurt
- 1 cup sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest (from 1 large lemon)
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup vegetable or canola oil
- 1 1/2 cups fresh blueberries (or frozen), dusted in 1 tablespoon flour flour will prevent them from sinking to bottom of the pan
For Optional Lemon Syrup
- juice of 1 lemon mixed with 2-3 teaspoons sugar
For Simple Lemon Glaze
- 1/2 cup icing sugar also called confectioners sugar or powdered sugar
- juice from 1/2 lemon
- dash of pure vanilla extract
- Optional Garnish: Lemon zest to sprinkle on top
Instructions
- GET ORGANIZED: Preheat oven temperature to 350F/176.7C. Spray an 8.5 x 4.5 x 2.5 inch loaf pan (21 x 11 x 6 cm) with cooking spray (or grease with butter) and dust with flour. Zest one large lemon and set aside (and a zest a second lemon to sprinkle on the finished loaf if you like).
- COMBINE DRY INGREDIENTS: (except sugar) Whisk together flour, baking powder and salt in large mixing bowl.1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, Note 1, 2 teaspoon baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt
- COMBINE WET INGREDIENTS AND SUGAR: In a medium separate bowl, whisk sour cream eggs, sugar, lemon zest, vanilla and oil until smooth.1 cup sour cream, 1 cup sugar, 3 large eggs, 1 tablespoon lemon zest, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1/2 cup vegetable or canola oil
- COMBINE INGREDIENTS FROM BOTH BOWLS: Add wet mixture to dry ingredients and combine with whisk just until flour disappears. Don't overmix or the loaf will be dense. Gently fold in the blueberries dusted in flour with a spatula.
- BAKE: Pour batter into greased/floured prepared pan. Bake on middle rack for about 50-70 minutes. A glass loaf pan will take longer than metal. Since ovens vary, start checking at 50 minutes. If toothpick or tester inserted into center of loaf comes out clean, it's done. Cool cake for 10 minutes on rack, then remove cake from loaf pan and place it on rack, top facing up, over a pan or cutting board (something to catch any drips if you are add the lemon syrup).
- MAKE AND ADD LEMON SYRUP (OPTIONAL): For an even moister, more lemony loaf, poke holes in top of cake with tester or toothpick. Pour on lemon syrup to soak in. Let loaf cool completely on a wire rack.
- MAKE AND ADD GLAZE: Mix together icing sugar and fresh lemon juice in a small bowl. After the loaf cools, drizzle glaze over cake. Sprinkle with lemon zest if desired. Slice and serve.
Video
Recipe Notes
- To measure flour: Scoop it into a measuring cup, then level if off with a knife. Don’t just dip the scoop into the flour as this packs it in too much.
- Variations
- To reduce calories in the loaf.
- The recipe has an option for a lemon syrup which adds extra moistness and lemon taste, but you can leave that step out if you want. Or alternatively, use the syrup and leave out the glaze.
- Substitute Greek yogurt or plain [lower fat] yogurt for the sour cream.
- Replace half the oil with applesauce (but the loaf will be a little denser)
- Just eat half a slice 🙂
- Try blackberries or raspberries instead of blueberries.
- Leave out the blueberries
- To reduce calories in the loaf.
- Store, Freeze: Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature or in the fridge. It also freezes well, well wrapped in plastic wrap, tin foil or a ziplock bag, for up to 3 months.
Nutrition
Lemon Blueberry loaf, originally published in 2018, has been updated for our readers.
If I wanted to make in mini loaf pans – how would I adjust the cooking time and/or temp?
You can keep the temperature the same at 350F/176C. If your pans are 5.75 x 3 inches, start checking at around 22-28 minutes. If using even smaller pans, check at 18-20 minutes. Bake times can vary slightly, so you will have to keep an eye on them. Let us know how they work out!
Really dumb question..
When poking holes in loaf for the lemon syrup, did you use the end of a wooden spoon, a toothpick, a skewer??
No worries – you just missed it! Use a cake tester or toothpick. The end of a wooden spoon would be a bit too thick 🙂
Absolutely delicious!! I used Greek yogurt. Yum!
Perfect ! Used 2% Greek yoghurt and a small applesauce along with 1/2 cup oil as I had doubled the recipe. Also added 2 tbsp lemon juice as I like it super lemony.
Absolutely delicious it is definitely a keeper.
Delicious!!!!!!!
Lovely and moist but little lemon taste. I didn’t add the glaze but did add the lemon sauce. Next time I’ll add more lemon zest and maybe even a little lemon extract.
Everyone’s tastes are different, so I a little extra lemon zest is a great idea for you Mitch. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for the recipe, my family really enjoyed it. I missed the flour on the blueberries and added an extra 1/2 cups because that was how many I had but it still turned out great. Very lemony!
Glad it all worked out 🙂 And yes, it’s for lemon lovers.
Hi! My husband is obsessed with this recipe, but my Mom has a dairy intolerance. Can I use lactose free sour cream in place of the regular?
Absolutely you can use lactose free sour cream. I do that too. Enjoy!
Hi
Can a 9×5 pan be used?
Yes, a 9 x 5 loaf pan is fine. That’s what I use. The cooking time will take less than the smaller loaf pan, so keep that in mind. Hope you like it 🙂
Can frozen blueberries be substituted for fresh?
HI Constance, As I mentioned in the FAQs: “Yes, you can use frozen blueberries. Do not thaw them. Toss frozen blueberries in flour to prevent them from bleeding too much into the batter”. I hope that helps!
I give this 5 stars! So delicious. Very easy to make.
This lemon blueberry bread recipe is one of my favorite in every summer.? It’s moist, tender, and loaded with berries, and plenty of lemon zest gives it a pop of bright flavor. Thank you very much for sharing ?. I enjoyed it!
Glad you enjoyed it Elle! We really appreciate you leaving a comment 🙂
My favorite recipe of yours.
🙂
Could buttermilk be used instead of sour cream?
Hi Mary, I checked it out and yes, you can use 3/4 cup buttermilk to replace 1 cup of sour cream (because it’s thinner). Let us know how it turns out 🙂
Made this and it is excellent! Will make again and again!
Happy to hear! Thanks Mary Jo 🙂
Very easy to put together. Loved it! Will be making this again!
Great to hear! Thanks for leaving a comment Nancy 🙂
It’s so yummy!!
The absolute best!!!! cooked in a glass loaf pan. Set the oven to convection bake at 325 instead of 350. Cooked for 95 minutes……definitely used the Lemon Syrup after it sat for about 10 min. This was perfection!!!
So great to hear that you loved it Lori! Thanks very much for taking the time to leave a comment 🙂
I made this loaf for a refreshment needed for a meeting; I received so many compliments! The loaf was moist, kept its shape when I precut slices and had a beautiful presentation.
Sounds like you and the loaf were stars at the meeting. Glad to hear it was a hit!
Honestly, this was the best lemon, blueberry loaf I have ever tasted. It is also extremely easy and quick to make definitely would make again.
That’s high praise – thank you so much Zoey!
Honestly the best lemon blueberry loaf I’ve ever made…so moist! This is going in my rotation!
Thanks Dawn. Glad it was a hit! I find the loaf goes very quickly when I make it, especially for lemon lovers. Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment.
We enjoy the recipe. But it seems to be “ soggy”. Is there something I can do different?
Hi Margaret. A couple of things come to mind if you found the loaf soggy. Most oven temperatures are inaccurate so is it possible your loaf was a bit underbaked? You can buy an inexpensive thermometer for your oven to check the temperature. Also, it’s important to let the loaf cool before adding the syrup and glaze. The lemon syrup will definitely make the loaf very moist – you can omit that next time if you found it was too moist. Finally, blueberries that are very juicy can release more liquid. Make sure you dust them in flour before adding them or even add a touch (only a touch) more flour to the batter. I hope that helps.
Have made this loaf twice now & it is absolutely moist & so delicious! Did pour about 3 or 4 tbsp of lemon juice into the batter along with the rind! Thank you for sharing?
Thanks Aila. Glad you liked the loaf 🙂
I can’t wait to make this. The recipe looks great.
Hope you like it. Let us know!
Made this loaf before; in the oven yet again. Absolutely super moist & fantastic. I added blanched almonds to mine, just to use them up.
Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment Marg. Glad you like it!
This was really good, definitely make again.
Happy you enjoyed it Donna 🙂
Mine is in the oven now; made several times before. Excellent.
Hi! Love this loaf, is there a time and temperature this could be made into cupcakes/muffins?
Hi Jenn, I haven’t tried muffins with this recipe yet so you will have to experiment a bit. My suggestion is to to heat the oven to 375°F (190°C) for standard-sized muffins or 350°F (175°C) for larger-sized muffins. I would also use muffin liners (or you can grease the tins). Then bake them for approximately 18-20 minutes for standard-sized muffins or 20-25 minutes for larger-sized muffins. Check a little before though as oven temps are never perfectly calibrated. I hope that helps. I’d love to know how they turn out if you try them. I think muffins are a great idea for this recipe!
Hi!! So excited to make this. Can the oil be replaced with something else? Thank you!
Hi Flori. Yes, you can replace the oil with applesauce using the same amount if you like. Hope you like the loaf!
Confused, the written recipe says zest from one lemon but your instructions further down under the category “get organized” section it says 2 of them
Sorry for the confusion. The recipe also calls for optional extra zest to sprinkle on at the end (which needs an extra lemon), but you’re right, the instruction may be confusing. I’ll try to make that clearer. Thanks for bringing it to my attention.
Can half White whole wheat flour and half all purpose flour be used as a substitute in recipe ?
Yes. That substitution should be fine.
I have been trying different blueberry lemon recipes for over 5 years to recreate something that I bought at our local farmers’ market. This recipe has the same flavors, but the syrup/glaze in this recipe is the Viola! that I have been looking for. Poking holes after it is baked & pouring the syrup/glaze over the cooled loaf makes the lemon and blueberries burst with flavors! I also love not using a mixing or blender! It is one that will be made on a weekly basis.
Thank you for creating this delicious recipe!
Thrilled to hear that Nga! I love the loaf too.
The ingredients picture shows butter?? My loaf is still in the oven. I hope it didn’t need the butter.
Good catch Marcella! There is no butter in the recipe. My bad. I’ll have to reshoot the ingredient picture. Thanks for letting me know. Hope you like the loaf ?
10/10!!
Thank you for sharing your delicious recipe!! I made it 3 times now and it turned out amazing every single time!
With lots of love,
Toronto, Canada
You’re so welcome Linda! And hi back from Toronto!
Can I use fat free Greek yogart ?
definitely, no problem
By far and away the BEST blueberry loaf I’ve made. Moist, not too sweet, lovely hint of lemon. Ticked all the boxes. Thank you for this delicious recipe.
Thrilled you liked it so much Catherine. Thanks for leaving a comment. ?
Wow, this is great, very moist and a big hit, thanks for sharing
Thanks for leaving a comment Dianne. Much appreciated 🙂
I made this a few weeks ago and everyone LOVED it. My mother asked me to make this again for Easter. As I text this…it’s in the oven getting ready for tomorrow. God Bless.
Aww. So sweet. Happy Easter!
can i use 2 small size loaf pan are they’re the same time and temperature? thanks
Hi Susan, Converting pan sizes can be a little tricky. Here is a good article on how to convert your pans by Taste of Hone. Typically a standard loaf pan will convert to 3 mini loaf pans. I don’t know the size and material of your pans which will both affect time and temperature. So it’s best to read the article. If you want to wing it, keep a very close eye on the time (two pans will take less time) and do a cake tester test to see if they are done. Hope that helps.
I absolutely love this, made it a few times and love it more each time . Thank you for sharing this recipe.
I love to hear that! Thanks for leaving a comment Aisha.
Easy to follow recipe and instructions. I’m not sure what happened but my cake wasn’t done when I pulled it out of the oven at 50, 60 and 70 minutes. The sides were done but the middle was definitely still raw. I covered the cake with foil, put it back in the oven and baked for an additional 20-30 minutes after 70 minutes and that seemed to help cook the middle. I’m baking this cake for a friend and haven’t tasted it yet. I hope it isn’t dry. I want to try this recipe again because it’s bothering me that the middle was undercooked after 60mins.
Sorry to hear about the loaf taking so long to bake. I am wondering why since I and so many others have been successful with this recipe. There are three things that come to mind. 1) your oven temperature is off (this is very common – a cheap oven thermometer can help you determine if you’re oven is heating to the right temperature), 2) you live in a high altitude area in which case you would need to adjust (increase) the oven temperature a bit. And 3) one of your measurements changed the flour to liquid ratio by mistake. Do you think any of these apply? I hope your friend enjoyed the loaf despite the challenges.
OMG!!! This was really absolutely delicious and turned out super moist. Added some chopped glazed pecans since we like nuts. Used sour cream but will try Greek yogurt next time. Always love loaf recipes with canola oil rather than butter. Will definitely make again and again! Thanks for the recipe!
You’re very welcome Eve. Glad it was a hit!
Have you made these into muffins?
Sorry, no I haven’t. I found this lemon loaf muffin recipe, though, if that helps.
This was absolutely scrumptious. So moist and delicious. Thanks so much for the recipe you have a new fan from Alberta.
Thank you Alberta fan! Hello from Ontario! So glad you liked the recipe 🙂
This may be a silly question, but when using frozen blueberries do they need to be thawed first?
Not a silly question Joe! For baking, you shouldn’t have to thaw them. But still dust them with flour.
For pancakes, I would definitely thaw them first as the cook time is short.
Yum! My family really enjoyed this loaf. Next time I would put more lemon zest, I feel like it wasn’t strong enough for my taste. Will be making again, thanks for a delicious recipe!
Thanks Tasman! So glad the family enjoyed it. Next time you can super-zest the loaf 🙂
Can I make this recipe in the mixer? Or will it change completely?
Hi Lina, I think it should be fine in the mixer with a couple of notes: mix the wet ingredients together first in the mixer. Add the combined dry ingredients and mix in JUST until incorporated. You don’t want to over mix. And add the floured blueberries into the batter by hand (don’t mix them in the mixer) before pouring the batter into the loaf pan. Hope that helps.
Hi Cheryl, I noticed in the picture it shows butter not oil, can I use 1 stick of butter in place of the oil?
Sorry Linda. You’re absolutely right. I showed butter in the picture and oil in the list of ingredients. You can definitely substitute the oil with butter. No problem. Just melt it and cool it a bit. Many say butter tastes better but the texture with oil will be a bit lighter. Hope you will love the loaf either way. ?
This is my second time making this. This time I doubled the recipe to be served at a family reunion. It is the most wonderful bread….almost tastes like cheesecake to me. Will definitely be making more in the future.
So glad you enjoyed it-twice! Thanks for leaving a comment.
I have made this a few times which means it’s a winner.
Although I dust the berries as indicated, too many fall to the bottom. Have you any suggestions?
Hi Debra. Glad you’re enjoying the loaf. Other than dusting the berries with flour to prevent them from sinking, one other thing you can try is to pour about 1/4-1/3 of the batter into the loaf pan without the berries, then mix the dusted berries into the remaining batter and pour that over the un-berried batter. Hope that helps.
OMG this is to die for this is a super easy recipe and I love love it Thank you for sharing My husband is a big fan of chocolate cake I asked him to taste it and I have to say he loved it he is very fussy with desserts I also tried making muffins because he loves his muffins and it was a success this is a keeper in my favourite recipes
Thanks Susan! Happy to hear your husband who is fussy about desserts liked the loaf too. A big compliment! And thanks for sharing the muffin idea with our readers.
Been my go-to recipe for months, works beautifully every time without fail! Thanks!
Happy to hear Sophie! Thanks for leaving a comment.
Delicious! I have a lemon tree and I usually have frozen blueberries, if not freshen on hand. I can see myself making this often!
Thanks Teresa. How wonderful to have a lemon tree! If you like the lemon blueberry combo, you might like these lemon blueberry pancakes too.
Forgot to give it 5 stars…Loved this recipe. Made it with fresh cranberries instead of blueberries. It was a hit with the family.
Deb, thanks for coming back to rate the recipe after leaving a comment! Really nice of you. Interesting twist with the cranberries – must have been really tangy.
Loved this recipe. Made it with fresh cranberries instead of blueberries. It was a hit with the family.
DELICIOUS!!!! BIG hit with the samplers!! Within a week I am already make it again!! Moist and I love the lemon touch!!! Definitely a keeper!! Thanks for sharing
Thanks so much for the comment Anne! So glad you liked it ?