This Iced Lemon Pound Cake (Starbucks Copycat) is so easy to make, and far better than what you get from the coffee shop!
Right after I turned eighteen I applied for a job at a retail coffee shop in our mall. It wasn't Starbucks, and at the time, we didn't have a Starbucks anywhere in our area. Anyway.
Along with fancy mochas, espresso shots, frozen drinks, and flavored coffees, we sold pastries. Among those pastries were muffins that were somewhat addicting, and various slices of pound cakes and sweet bread loaves.
I remember the tastiest lemon loaf ever, and was always intrigued by the thick layer of lemon that enveloped the top. I always pulled it off first and ate it, right away.
I'm not one of those savor the best for last. I'm one of those types that eat the best first.
I worked there for right at a year, met my now husband, and fell in love with all things coffee related, including the pastries. Years passed by and they eventually closed up shop.
I'm sure that it had a lot to do with the fact that Starbucks came to town, and built a retail store right in the very same parking lot as the mall. The same mall that my beloved coffee shop was in.
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I missed so many of the coffee drinks that only that store carried, and found a few duplicates in the Starbucks store, that I'm thankful for.
One thing that I found that I'm thankful for is that SB carries many of the same tasty pastries, like the Iced Lemon Pound Cake.
Y'all, that lemon pound cake is like Lay's potato chips, because you seriously can't eat just one (slice). I have to be very careful when I go in and see that beautiful slice on the shelf in the pastry counter.
I've tried many recipes, replicating that lemon loaf that some call it, but it took a few recipes and a lot of tweaking until I found something that mimics that slice of lemon perfection.
A lot has to do with fresh lemon zest, and lot's of it. You not only need fresh lemon juice, but also lemon extract. I find that the lemon extract from Rodelle gives you a lemon flavor that no other extract that I've tried can touch.
This Iced Lemon Pound Cake is a true Starbucks copycat recipe. The only difference is that my icing isn't that ribbon of thickness.
My reasoning? Because it's homemade, and I like to keep it a bit healthier. Because since I am at home with this Iced Lemon Pound Cake, it's hard to say no when it's just a few feet away in the kitchen.
If you are wanting the thicker icing, it's easy to do, just add one to two extra cups of powdered sugar. Yep, it really is that easy!
So what are you waiting for! Go make this Starbucks Copycat Iced Lemon Pound Cake, I promise you won't regret it.
Ever wondered why the name pound cake?
Well a classic pound cake consists of one pound each: butter, sugar, eggs, and flour. Crazy huh?
Of course as time has passed, things change, like the original, and now a classic pound cake doesn't have to have a pound of everything in it to have the same taste and texture.
How do I have the best pound cake, no matter the flavors?
Always start with room temperature ingredients. I'm mentioned this before, and it's worth saying again...room temperature ingredients blend together better!
Follow the recipe...there is a reason that some recipes call for sifting dry ingredients, or for adding them in a certain order. Of course this goes with just about all recipes, but truly important for a pound cake.
Substitutions?
Well, I have never tried to make this one gluten free or with a milk or egg substitute. You can certainly try and modify just as you have with other recipes, but I can't guarantee the turn out.
What about different flavors?
This recipe calls for lemon extract, but you could buy and try other extracts, fruits, etc. Make it whatever flavor strikes your fancy!
Looking for more lemon recipes?
Iced Lemon Pound Cake (Starbucks Copycat)
This Iced Lemon Pound Cake (Starbucks Copycat) is so easy to make, and far better than what you get from the coffee shop!
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 3 eggs, room temperature
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
- ½ cup canola oil
- 2 tablespoons lemon zest
- 2 tablespoons lemon extract
Glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a loaf pan with parchment paper, spray with non stick cooking spray, set aside.
- In a medium bowl whisk together the flour, salt, and baking powder together. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, attached to a stand mixer, beat together the eggs, sugar, Greek yogurt, oil, lemon zest, and lemon extract together, until smooth. Scraping the sides of the bowl as needed. Slowly add in the dry ingredients, and mix until combined. Pour batter into prepared loaf pan. Bake for 50 to 55 minutes, or until a tooth pick inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove from the oven and allow to cool in pan for 10 minutes. Lift loaf from pan, using the parchment paper (see photo above for parchment paper placement), and allow to finish cooling on cooling rack.
- When the cake is completely cool, whisk together the ingredients for the glaze, and drizzle/pour on top.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
8Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 403Total Fat: 16gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 14gCholesterol: 71mgSodium: 293mgCarbohydrates: 59gFiber: 1gSugar: 40gProtein: 8g
Alli Smith says
The Lemon Pound Cake at Starbucks is my favorite whenever I splurge and get something besides my regular coffee drink. I've made lemon pound cake at home but never like this. I need to make this ASAP and make sure I invite a few friends over so I won't be alone with this delicious looking cake.
Joanna says
Yes, invite friends, freeze half, do something because you may accidentally eat it all! It's that yummy! 😉
valmg @ Mom Knows It All says
I do love a good pound cake. That sounds and looks wonderful, I wish I could try a piece of it for breakfast right now!
Joanna says
I wished I had more! There is literally one corner left in the kitchen, that my daughter has left from nibbling on a slice over the last few days. 😀
candy says
Oh there is nothing like a lemon pound cake. It just yells Spring is here. So easy to make and enjoy. Now I have to make this since I can already taste it.
Joanna says
I hope you make this one soon! It's perfect for this time of the year!
Alison Rost says
I must try this pound cake recipe. It looks so good and it's definitely a lighter version than the one in Starbucks. It looks so moist and it's perfect with a good cup of coffee, without a doubt!
Joanna says
Yes, much lighter than the one at Starbucks! I also think it's better! 😉
Carol Cassara says
It looks heavenly! I'd love to make this one of these days. I'm sure this is great with either coffee or tea especially on a lazy afternoon. I think that glaze is a lovely addition to the lemon pound cake!
Joanna says
This is perfect with coffee or tea, for a little afternoon treat!
Gisele says
OMG this looks amazing! I got a pound cake recipe from a friend years ago and whenever I make it it is a huge hit. This sounds better though, with the lemon. Love it. Thanks!
Joanna says
Lemon totally makes this the best! 😀
Ashley says
OMGoodnes this is one of my favorite treats at Starbucks. I'm seriously craving it now after reading this post. I think I need to make my own now!
Joanna says
Yes, Ashley, I think you should make this one soon!
Joan Cajic says
Love any dessert that has lemon in it and pound cake is right up my alley. Looks really delicious,
Joanna says
Sounds great Joan! I hope you make this one soon!
Peter says
My wife is a lemon fan antic! I am certainly making this for her.
Joanna says
I bet she will love this one!
Amber Myers says
Yes! I need to make this because I just LOVE that lemon pound cake from Starbucks. I probably eat wayy too much of it. This looks incredible.
Joanna says
Me too! Haha. At least with this one, it's a little better for you! ;-D
Aditi Kulkarni says
Lemon cakes are really close to my heart...thanks for sharing this recipe. I look forward to trying it out soon!
Joanna says
Awe, isn't food so emotional sometimes?! I too have a fond love of lemon cakes, thanks to a recipe that my grandmother used to make. <3 I hope that you try this one soon!
Lisa says
I love the treats from Starbucks! Thank you so much for sharing this one! I will have to try this asap!
Joanna says
This one is a keeper for sure! I hope you make it soon! 🙂
chubskulitrose says
Can I have the golden brown edges please? It must have smelled so good in the kitchen when you take it out the oven!
Joanna says
Aren't the edges the best?! Yum yum! When making anything lemon the whole house smells like a bakery. 🙂
April says
This looks like such a delicious recipe for lemon pound cake and it looks so easy to make! I love the Starbucks version and I'm sure I would love yours. I will have to make it for breakfast one day soon.
Andrea says
my best friend loves the lemon pound cake from them and she would love to learn how to make it. I didn't know it was so easy, gonna pin and then share with her.
Joanna says
Totally simple! She'll love how easy and delicious this one is!
Nancy at Whispered Inspirations says
Oh my goodness, I am a sucker for pound cake. Especially lemon pound cake. I'm going to make this.
Heather says
While I'm not a super fan of fruity desserts, this looks and sounds so refreshing! I might just try this recipe.
Our Family World says
I will have to make this lemon pound cake soon. I love lemon flavored anything and your recipe is just awesome. Hopefully, I feel better by the weekend so I can get back to one of the things I love doing - baking.
Joanna says
I hope your feeling better!
Sarah Bailey says
I absolutely love the idea of a copycat lemon pound cake I am going to have to give it a whirl myself as it sounds delicious.
Joanna says
I love copycat recipes! 🙂 Enjoy this tasty treat!
Reesa Lewandowski says
This is my favorite treat at Starbuck's! I am so trying this. There is nothing better to me than a nice piece of pound cake!
Dana Peller says
This is one of the reasons why I go to Starbucks -- to enjoy a slice of this pound cake. Now, I can make it at home. Thank you so much!
Tomi C says
That Starbucks lemon pound cake is pretty tasty but it's so nice to make things at home and a great way to save money too.
Debra Hawkins says
Lemon is my absolute favorite flavor for desserts! I am going to have to try this out for sure!
Joanna says
Lemon is so great in desserts! 🙂
LavandaMichelle says
Lemon is my favorite flavor. I have to try this, it looks so good! Thanks for sharing.
Sara Welch says
I would love to try some of this cake. Lemon treats are my favorite.
Kita Bryant says
I haven't made a pound cake in a long time. This looks super tasty!
Cassie says
Pound cake is one of my favorite treats and with a taste of lemon it would be over the top amazing! I love your recipes and this one is definitely added to my list 🙂 If it tastes as good as it looks I might eat the whole thing by myself
Joanna says
Thanks Cassie! 🙂 This one is so yummy, and I'd be lying if I didn't say that I wanted to eat the whole thing myself too!
Dee @ My Dee Dee's Diary says
This lemon pound cake looks amazing. I haven't had any lemon just yet so I might make this soon
All blogroll says
This cake looks superb. This may be a perfect Saturday snack. I love cakes in the morning, but I rarely have time to bake. Thanks for the wonderful recipe.
Joanna says
This would be so great for a quick little breakfast with a cup of coffee, or tea. 🙂
sarah camille says
Oo I have been looking for a cake recipe to make for my fiance's birthday. Since he's not a big sweets person, this will be perfect!
Joanna says
This will be a great cake for his birthday!
Kiwi says
I do love Starbucks Pound cake. I would love to make the copycat version of it thanks so much!
Ricci says
I am a little bit obsessed with lemon anything and Starbucks Lemon Poundcake is AMAZE!! I need to try your version ASAP!!
Jessica Taylor says
I get these every time we go to starbucks! I can't wait to see if I can (save my money) and make them from home!
Ada says
I need to try making this soon because I LOVE their lemon poundcake. So good.
Sunidhi Agarwal says
Oh.... lemon pound cake.!!! Yummyyy!! It looks so delicious, I'm gonna have it all 🙂
Toughcookiemommy says
This lemon pound cake looks delicious. I can't believe how easy it is to make and that it is just as good as the store variety.
Jean says
Can you make this cake in a tube cake pan?
Joanna says
I'm sure you can, but I've never tried it. If you do, let us know how it turns out for you.