Sometimes it’s the classics that are the hardest to nail, because so many iterations exist it can seem impossible to settle on the perfect one. It took me years to create a lemon loaf that I thought was, subjectively, the perfect one. This recipe is the closest I’ve managed to get. Pay close attention to the instructions, as the plush and velvety texture of this loaf is reliant on the temperature of the ingredients and the mixing method. As for the glaze, I prefer a consistency that is just barely opaque, mouth puckeringly tart, and sets into a paper thin crackle, but adjust to your taste. The thyme is optional if you want a classic lemon loaf, but I think it compliments the lemon in a really lovely way.
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