Enjoy this refreshing Lemon Tea Bread with your afternoon cup of tea or morning cup of coffee.
It seems that this world is broken into two sides: You are either a coffee person or tea. I love the smell of coffee and I love the hint of coffee in my brownies or cakes. But I HATE the taste of a cup of coffee. GASP! Every morning I sit down and enjoy my morning tea. I’ve managed to wean myself off of putting sugar in my tea, I now use Stevia, but it doesn’t take the craving I have for something sweet to accompany my tea.
I added cutting back on sweets to my never-ending list of new year’s resolutions. This week my tea has had my Atkins protein bar for a companion. Not my first choice, but my thighs and butt will be happier.
But I long for a scone, muffin or sweet bread to savor with my lovely cup of tea.
Which brings me to this lovely, and refreshing Lemon Tea Bread. I made three loaves to give as gifts during the holidays. I stole a thin sliver to test for quality control (snort! snort!), but other than that, I didn’t indulge in it. But, I haven’t stopped thinking about it either!
Maybe it’s because of the brownies, rum cake, fudge and other rich sweets I baked (and mostly gave away) during the holidays. Lemons wake up the senses and are frequently used to cleanse the palate. I love the smell of lemons and I love my lemon tree. It’s a very confused lemon tree. It’s unsure of the seasons living here in Southern California. When it’s full of fruit, which it is now, it also has blooms and buds, as well. The lemon tree and the lime are both carefully attended to by my husband. Again, we are a very lemony family.
I really wish I had a slice of this Lemon Tea Bread now. I might have to make a new loaf to hoard for my morning tea.
Lemon Tea Bread
Sweet, lemony tea bread will soon become your favorite treat with your afternoon tea. Recipe adapted from Southern Living, October 2004
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup butter, unsalted, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 eggs, large
- 1/2 cup milk
- 3 TBS lemon zest, grated
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 TBS lemon juice
- 1 TBS granulated sugar
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 350ºF.
- In a medium bowl whisk together:
- 1 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- Using a stand mixer with a paddle attachment mix until creamy over medium speed:
- 1/2 cup butter, unsalted , softened
- Gradually mix in and beat until light and fluffy:
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- Mix in one at a time:
- 2 eggs, large
- Add half of the dry ingredients to the butter mixture.
- Mix in on low speed:
- 1/4 cup milk
- Add the remaining half of the dry ingredients to the butter mixture.
- Mix in:
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 TBS lemon zest , grated
- Apply non-stick spray to a 8"x 4" loaf pan, and pour batter inside.
- Bake bread in oven for 50-60 mins., or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the bread comes out clean.
- Let the bread rest in the pan for 10 mins., then turn out onto a cooling rack to cool.
- When bread has cooled, in a small bowl mix together until smooth:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 TBS lemon juice
- Spoon glaze over the top of the bread, allowing the excess to drip down the sides.
- In a small bowl stir together:
- 2 TBS lemon zest , grated
- 1 TBS granulated sugar
- Sprinkle sugared lemon peel over the top of the bread.
Notes:
Serving Suggestions: Great with oranges, too! For Lemon-Almond Tea Bread: Stir 1/2 teaspoon almond extract into batter. Proceed as directed.
Source: Recipe adapted from Southern Living, October 2004
Prep Time:
Yield: 10 servings
Cook Time:
FamilySpice says
We'll have to share a cup of tea together some time!
"pup" says
I am like you, I am not a coffee person, but I love my tea (with honey not sugar)!! I Love the smell of coffee, but I can not handle even the slightest taste, it ruins any good dessert for me…
Your bread looks delicious!!! I will have to save this recipe to try it out!!
Tiffany says
I love tea AND coffee and this bread would be great with both! It reminds me of my nana's lemon pound cake 😀
Amy at TheSceneFromMe says
I love hot tea and hot cocoa! This is just what I need now, a warm piece of delightful bread and a cup of hot tea!
Kori says
Lemon flavored things have been on my mind lately. They're just so refreshing and totally sound good after a holiday season packed full of heavy sweets. This bread looks great (and beautiful!)! Thanks for the recipe!
Jenn says
I love lemon. This looks delicious. This is the 3rd blog I have seen those white dishes on. I love them, do you mind telling me where they are from?
FamilySpice says
I think the tea lovers win! hee! hee!
Jenn, I get almost all of my dishes from Marshall's, Home Goods & Ross. I believe the serving dish only cost me $3! I love a good deal.
Spicie Foodie says
Your lovely photos will make us all want a slice (or two or three) of your delicious bread. I can't drink coffee, too many bad side effects, but I do like the taste of it. Tea is my #1 though but I can't stand sugar in either, occasionally I'll add honey to a lemon ginger tea. I'm going to check out your recipe, my mouth is watering.
briarrose says
Fantastic bread to go with a cup of tea. I love a good lemon bread…it's so fresh and satisfying.
Jenn says
Thanks for replying. I don't live near a Marshall's or a Home Goods, but there is a Ross down the street. I will have to check it out, because I think your dishes are beautiful. $3 is a steal of a deal!!
~RED~ says
This is a beautiful lemon bread… craving now!
Merut says
Sweetener in your tea? Blasphemy! I love tea too (although occasionally I'll enjoy a cup of coffee). This lemon bread looks delicious. I'm having my bridesmaid over this weekend, so I might have to do cake and tea.