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Citrus Almond Loaf Cake

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This Citrus Almond Loaf Cake is a play on Starbucks lemon loaf cake, but has a lemon-lime and almond twist. This homemade lime and lemon cake is made in a loaf pan and topped with a citrus almond glaze that is to die for! A perfect lemon dessert for spring or summer!

lemon loaf bread with almonds

This sweet lime, almond, and lemon loaf cake recipe (aka, Citrus Almond Loaf Cake) is, hands down, my favorite easy cake recipe! 

It’s simple and light, and it is almost impossible to mess up this limey, lemon bread recipe. 

citrus loaf cake (easy lemon bread recipe)

Back when I wore Lip Smackers necklaces and glitter butterfly clips in my hair (every.single.day), I didn’t believe citrus-flavored anything could be considered a “sweet.”

It was too tangy, devoid of chocolate, and didn’t compare to strawberry cake with strawberry frosting, which was pretty much my favorite dessert for a solid two years.

(I went through strong phases as a child…there was a lime green vest incident that made an appearance weekly and a full-blown Full House obsession that lasted a loooong while.)

citrus almond loaf cake recipe

Whenever it was that I finally discovered citrus was more than the flavor of soul-crushing cough drops, my tastebuds turned a corner.

Chocolate everything was–and still is–life, but those citrus flavors began steadily climbing the charts. Lemon Bars, Lemon Coconut Cake, and Key Lime Yogurt Pie fall into my “favorite dessert” category, despite their lack of all things chocolate.

The tang I disliked so much when I was younger is half of the reason I love all things lime and lemon bread. It’s amazing how tastes change as you age, ya know??

sliced lemon loaf cake

I’m pretty sure the turning point had everything to do with a lemon loaf cake from Starbucks, because, umm, wow. For a coffee shop that’s on every corner, those little lemon cakes are a thing of glory.

That is, until they crushed my spirits by adding a calorie count to everything.

Thanks, Starbucks, but I really preferred to eat my lemon loaf and drink my frappuccino in blissful ignorance.

Now, I just feel immense guilt.

lemon bread with almonds

So, this is more than just a lemon loaf cake. The flavor of it does resemble a copycat Starbucks’ lemon loaf cake, but the addition of lime and almond take the flavor up a few notches. 

The best part of this lemon bread recipe is the simplicity of the ingredients:

  • flour, sugar, baking powder and salt
  • canola oil
  • milk
  • eggs
  • lemon and lime zest
  • lemon and lime juice
  • almond extract
  • slivered almonds
  • powdered sugar 

And, a little tip from me to you: When making this lemon loaf, don’t just eyeball the amount of citrus juice you’re adding to the recipe. Definitely measure it out, otherwise you will find yourself with a burnt outside and soggy inside. 

Don’t ask me how I know.

citrus bread with almonds and glaze

Citrus Almond Loaf Cake Tips & Tricks:

  • Despite the fact I use lemons and limes in this recipe, you could interchange the liquids for whatever citrus liquid you want. Fresh orange juice and zest would work great in this loaf cake recipe. Or, you could just do all lemon juice or all lime juice–whatever you have on hand will work great.
  • If you feel like the outside of the lemon almond cake is baking faster than the inside, you can ‘tent’ a piece of foil over the bread pan. This will allow for the center to cook while protecting the outside of the bread.
  • Allow the bread to cool a little bit before drizzling over the glaze.

citrus loaf cake (lemon bread) with almonds and glaze

If you like lip-puckering citrus desserts, you’re hands down going to love this limey, tangy easy lemon bread!

 

5 from 4 votes
lemon loaf bread with almonds
Print
Citrus Almond Loaf Cake
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
55 mins
Total Time
1 hr 10 mins
 
This Citrus Almond Loaf Cake is a play on Starbucks lemon loaf cake, but has a lemon-lime and almond twist. This homemade lime and lemon cake is made in a loaf pan and topped with a citrus almond glaze that is to die for! A perfect lemon dessert for spring or summer!
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Citrus Almond Loaf Cake
Servings: 10 slices
Author: Michelle
Ingredients
Bread
  • 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 Tbsp lime zest
  • 1 Tbsp lemon zest
  • 1/3 cup canola or vegetable oil
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • 2 Tbsp fresh lime juice
  • 1/2 tsp almond extract
Glaze
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 1-2 Tbsp lemon or lime juice, or a mix of both
  • 1/2 tsp almond extract
  • 1/4 cup slivered almonds
Instructions
  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and grease an 8 1/2 x 4 1/2 bread pan.
Bread
  1. In a medium sized bowl, sift together flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and both lemon zest and lime zest. Set aside.
  2. In a small bowl, mix together canola oil, milk, eggs, lemon juice, lime juice, and almond extract. Whisk until well combined.
  3. Slowly stir wet ingredients into dry ingredients. Once the mixture has just been combined, pour the batter into prepared bread pan. Bake for 55-60 minutes, or until a cake tester comes out clean (My oven took exactly 55 minutes).
  4. Allow to cool at least 10-20 minutes before removing from the pan and placing on a cooling rack.
Glaze
  1. Mix lemon juice (or lime juice or a combination of both--whichever you prefer), almond extract, and powdered sugar together until well combined.
  2. With the bread on the cooling rack, pour glaze over the bread. Immediately, while the glaze is still wet, sprinkle the almonds on top. Allow glaze to set, about five minutes or so, before cutting.
  3. Enjoy!

 

citrus almond loaf cake (aka lemon bread recipe) collage

Here are some other recipes I think you’ll love:

Blueberry Lemon Crumb Cake Muffins

crumb cake topped lemon blueberry muffin with glaze

Coconut Lemon Bars

These Coconut Lemon Bars are sweet, a little tangy, and have a coconut shortbread crust. Homemade lemon bars are one of my favorite spring desserts, and these Coconut Lemon Bars are a fun twist on the classic lemon bar recipe! Easter dessert perhaps?? 

Updated 2020.

Shared by Michelle

Comments

  1. Allie | BakingAMoment says

    March 24, 2015 at 3:28 pm

    This has got to be the most gorgeous loaf I have ever seen! Seriously, wow. I want to devour it- it looks so moist and sweet! LOVE!

    Reply
    • Michelle says

      March 26, 2015 at 9:51 am

      Thanks so much, Allie! 🙂

      Reply
  2. Chrissy says

    March 24, 2015 at 6:27 pm

    I definitely just plugged one of my cakes into My Fitness Pal to track it and…ah hell. I was eating it by the 1/3 of the slice. Super depressing. Your way is better.

    Reply
    • Michelle says

      March 26, 2015 at 9:51 am

      Haha! I try just not think about it 🙂 Thanks so much, Chrissy!

      Reply
  3. Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says

    March 25, 2015 at 4:32 am

    I used to be the same way too, Michelle! But now I have a lot more appreciation for citrus flavors. This loaf cake sounds amazing! I love the citrus and almond flavors. It pretty much sounds like the best combination! Pinning this!

    Reply
    • Michelle says

      March 26, 2015 at 9:50 am

      Thanks so much, Gayle! 🙂

      Reply
  4. Liz @ Floating Kitchen says

    March 25, 2015 at 4:55 am

    Ha. Ignorance is total bliss when it comes to calories and baked goods. This bread sounds amazing. I used to be a chocolate-only dessert person too, but now I really dig the citrus as well!

    Reply
    • Michelle says

      March 26, 2015 at 9:50 am

      Thanks, Liz! 🙂

      Reply
  5. Ashley | The Recipe Rebel says

    March 25, 2015 at 7:29 am

    What is it with kids and citrus? Now as a (I like to think) totally responsible adult, I love citrus desserts! I would dive right into this cake!

    Reply
    • Michelle says

      March 26, 2015 at 9:49 am

      Thanks, Ashley! 🙂

      Reply
  6. Natalie @ Tastes Lovely says

    March 25, 2015 at 9:08 am

    Lipsmacker necklaces?!?! Haha, yes! I had those too. Did you have the Dr. Pepper flavor? Because that was just about the coolest thing in the whole wide world. I just love citrus baked goods! This almond loaf cake looks just perfect!

    Reply
    • Michelle says

      March 26, 2015 at 9:49 am

      The Dr. Pepper one was my favorite! I’m still slightly weirded out how much it tasted like Dr. Pepper, haha! Thanks, Natalie! 🙂

      Reply
  7. Kelsey @ Snacking Squirrel says

    March 25, 2015 at 12:26 pm

    this is just a stunning and delicious loaf. amazing job making it!

    Reply
    • Michelle says

      March 26, 2015 at 9:48 am

      Thanks so much, Kelsey! 🙂

      Reply
  8. Danielle says

    March 25, 2015 at 4:08 pm

    I’m totally laughing about the lip smacker necklaces, I mean those were a total necessity back then right?! I love citrus flavored anything, especially in cake form. This looks so delicious and I love the almonds too!

    Reply
    • Michelle says

      March 26, 2015 at 9:48 am

      Right? They were so necessary! 🙂 Thanks so much, Danielle!

      Reply
  9. Katie @The Semisweet Sisters says

    March 29, 2015 at 1:41 pm

    Yum! Your citrus almond loaf cake looks amazing! I love citrus flavors especially lemon.

    Reply
  10. Megan - The Emotional Baker says

    March 31, 2015 at 4:15 am

    Oh my gosh! I’m a chocolate girl, too, but citrus and almond treats are definitely my favorite, too! This loaf looks amazing. Hope I can make one as gorgeous as this!

    Reply
  11. Phyllis Latterell says

    April 1, 2015 at 9:15 am

    This looks amazing! I’m going to make it for our Easter family gathering.

    Reply
  12. Olivia @ livforcake says

    April 22, 2015 at 7:58 am

    Oh my goodness, this looks amazing!

    Reply
  13. Lynn B says

    March 5, 2016 at 1:44 pm

    I’m so happy to find this recipe. I have a tree full of ripe calamondins (tiny sour oranges) which I grow for marmalade. I just made this recipe for a brunch using those instead of lime and lemon. It was a hit! Thanks so much.

    Reply
  14. Heyam says

    February 16, 2018 at 4:25 pm

    5 stars
    I’m so happy to find this recipe.Thank you so much

    Reply
  15. Rita says

    April 15, 2020 at 6:14 pm

    5 stars
    Baked this today
    Easy recipe, had all the ingredients. Added 1/3 cup Greek yogurt-very moist and refreshing taste. Thank you

    Reply
  16. MJ Dixon says

    August 8, 2020 at 7:51 pm

    5 stars
    This recipe is so delicious. I made it for the first time a few weeks ago and have now made it 4 more times. Twice I made 2 loaves at once because I had a big bag of limes. Instead of making a mixture of lemon and lime I used all lime and it was just as delicious. I have 2 in the freezer and we just finished one I froze for a couple weeks. It thawed out and was just as moist and delicious as the ones we had fresh out of oven. Great recipe!!! Thank you.

    Reply

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I'm Michelle and this is where you'll witness my baking addiction. I bleed coffee and breathe sugar. Come join me as I journey through life one recipe at a time! READ MORE
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