This Lemon Blueberry Loaf is a soft, moist, and flavorful treat with the perfect balance of bright lemon zest and juicy blueberries in every bite. I make it with Greek yogurt to ensure the crumb stays tender for days, and I finish it off with a tangy lemon glaze that seeps into every slice. It’s my go-to loaf for brunch, dessert, or a cozy afternoon coffee break.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
I love how the fresh lemon flavor pairs with sweet blueberries for a loaf that’s refreshing yet indulgent. The Greek yogurt not only keeps it moist, but it also gives the loaf a lovely texture that’s not too heavy. Every slice has bursts of blueberry and a zesty glaze that ties it all together. The best part? It comes together easily, even on a busy day, and works beautifully for guests or gifting.
Ingredients
(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
For the loaf:
1½ cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
1 cup Greek yogurt
1 cup sugar
3 large eggs
2 tablespoons lemon zest
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ cup vegetable oil
1½ cups blueberries (fresh or frozen)
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
For the lemon syrup:
⅓ cup lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
1 tablespoon sugar
For the lemon glaze:
1 cup icing sugar
¼ cup lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
milk (if needed to thin out the glaze)
Directions
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I preheat the oven to 350℉ and grease an 8.5×4.5×2.5-inch loaf pan with butter or cooking spray, then dust it with flour.
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In a large bowl, I whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
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In another bowl, I whisk Greek yogurt, sugar, eggs, lemon zest, vanilla, and oil until smooth.
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I combine the wet mixture with the dry, whisking just until combined.
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In a small bowl, I toss the blueberries with 1 tablespoon flour, then fold them gently into the batter.
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I pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 50 minutes, checking with a toothpick for doneness. Sometimes it takes up to 1 hour and 10 minutes in my oven.
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While the loaf bakes, I prepare the lemon syrup by heating lemon juice and sugar until the sugar dissolves.
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Once baked, I let the loaf cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer it to a rack over a baking sheet. I poke holes in the top and pour the lemon syrup over it.
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After the loaf cools completely, I whisk together the glaze ingredients (adding milk if needed) and drizzle it over the top. Then I slice and enjoy.
Servings and timing
This recipe makes about 12 slices. It takes roughly 10 minutes to prep and 1 hour to 1 hour 10 minutes to bake, plus cooling time before glazing.
Variations
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I sometimes use Meyer lemons for a slightly sweeter, less tart loaf.
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For a buttery flavor, I swap the vegetable oil with melted butter (but then I skip the syrup to avoid sogginess).
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This batter works well for muffins—regular ones bake in 25–30 minutes, minis in 12–15 minutes.
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I’ve made it gluten-free by using a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend.
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Skipping the glaze gives a less sweet loaf that pairs wonderfully with tea.
storage/reheating
I wrap the cooled loaf tightly in plastic wrap or foil and store it at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, I freeze it (without glaze) in a freezer bag for up to 4 months. To serve, I thaw it at room temperature and glaze just before slicing.
FAQs
Can I use frozen blueberries instead of fresh?
Yes, I just rinse and pat them dry, then toss them in flour before adding to the batter to prevent sinking.
Can I make this loaf without Greek yogurt?
Yes, regular yogurt works, though the texture may be a bit softer.
What if I don’t have a loaf pan?
A Bundt pan works—just grease it well and start checking for doneness around 40 minutes.
Can I reduce the sugar in this recipe?
Yes, I sometimes use ⅔ cup sugar in the loaf if my blueberries are very sweet.
How do I keep the glaze from sliding off?
I always let the loaf cool completely before glazing so it sticks and sets properly.
Conclusion
This Lemon Blueberry Loaf has become one of my most-loved recipes because it’s simple to make, loaded with fresh flavor, and stays moist for days. Whether I bake it for guests, as a brunch centerpiece, or just for myself, it never lasts long on the counter. Every slice is a bright, fruity reminder of why lemon and blueberries are a perfect match.
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Lemon Blueberry Loaf
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- Author: Yusraa
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 12 slices
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A moist and tender loaf bursting with fresh blueberries and bright lemon flavor, enhanced with Greek yogurt for a soft crumb and finished with a tangy lemon glaze.
Ingredients
1½ cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
1 cup Greek yogurt
1 cup sugar
3 large eggs
2 tablespoons lemon zest
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ cup vegetable oil
1½ cups blueberries (fresh or frozen)
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour (for tossing blueberries)
⅓ cup lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
1 tablespoon sugar (for syrup)
1 cup icing sugar
¼ cup lemon juice (freshly squeezed, for glaze)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract (for glaze)
Milk (as needed to thin glaze)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350℉ (175℃). Grease and flour an 8.5×4.5×2.5-inch loaf pan.
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
- In another bowl, whisk Greek yogurt, sugar, eggs, lemon zest, vanilla, and vegetable oil until smooth.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients, whisking just until blended.
- Toss blueberries with 1 tablespoon flour, then fold them gently into the batter.
- Pour batter into prepared pan and bake for 50–70 minutes, until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- While baking, prepare syrup by heating ⅓ cup lemon juice with 1 tablespoon sugar until sugar dissolves.
- Let loaf cool in pan 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack over a baking sheet. Poke holes in top and pour syrup over loaf.
- Cool completely. Prepare glaze by whisking icing sugar, ¼ cup lemon juice, and vanilla (add milk if needed).
- Drizzle glaze over cooled loaf, slice, and serve.
Notes
- Use Meyer lemons for a slightly sweeter, less tart flavor.
- Substitute melted butter for vegetable oil for a richer taste (omit syrup to avoid sogginess).
- This batter can be baked into muffins—regular: 25–30 min, mini: 12–15 min.
- For gluten-free, use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
- Skip the glaze for a less sweet loaf, perfect with tea.
- Store tightly wrapped at room temperature up to 3 days, or freeze unglazed loaf up to 4 months.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 24g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 35mg