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    Home / Recipes / Cakes

    Keto Lemon Loaf (Starbucks Copycat)

    By Lisa MarcAurele · Jul 13, 2022 · 18 Comments

    3.5K shares
    Jump to Recipe
    lemon loaf pinterest image.

    Bright and zesty, this keto lemon loaf is a perfect Starbucks copycat. It's a light and delicious low-carb lemon pound cake you can enjoy for breakfast, brunch, or a sweet dessert.

    sliced lemon loaf on white platter.
    Article Index
    • Why you'll love it
    • Ingredients
    • Tips
    • Instructions
    • ️ Serving suggestions
    • Variations
    • FAQs
    • Related recipes
    • Recipe

    Why you'll love it

    Baked goods are one of the most tempting things at coffee shops. Just looking at those sweet muffins and breads is enough to make my mouth water. But, they are definitely not a good idea on the keto diet.

    That is why I love to make keto-friendly desserts and keep them at home. I might even take some with me if I know I'll be stopping at a place like Starbucks.

    This low-carb lemon pound cake tastes just like Starbucks lemon loaf. I can order my favorite keto drink from Starbucks and then munch on this keto cake.

    It's a low-carb alternative that tastes like it is sweetened with maple syrup, but it's not! The keto bread gets its bright flavor from real lemon juice and is a fantastic fiber and protein source.

    If you are craving dessert, then this is the perfect recipe for you. This keto pound cake tastes and looks just like a traditional pound cake.

    Ingredients

    ingredients for keto lemon loaf recipe starbucks copycat.

    This keto lemon pound cake only contains a few simple ingredients. Here is a bit more information about what I used to make the pound cake and the sugar-free glaze.

    Almond flour

    Superfine almond flour is best for this low-carb lemon pound cake. It will give you the smoothest texture that resembles white flour the closest.

    Do not use almond meal; it is not the same as almond flour. It is made by grinding whole almonds, including the skins. If you use almond meal, the low-carb lemon cake will taste grainy.

    Lemon juice

    Lemon juice gives this dessert an authentic lemon flavor. For the best results, I suggest juicing a fresh lemon.

    Powdered sweetener

    Use your favorite powdered sweetener in both the keto pound cake and the glaze. Powdered erythritol will work better than monk fruit sweeteners.

    Eggs

    Eggs are the most effective emulsifiers and will keep all the ingredients for your keto pound cake batter together and prevent it from falling apart.

    Sour cream

    Sour cream provides more fat and a tangy flavor to the keto lemon loaf.

    Heavy whipping cream

    The heavy cream also provides some deeper flavor and is a source of lots of healthy fats.

    Butter

    Use unsalted butter and ensure it is softened before mixing it into the batter!

    Lemon extract

    A bit of lemon extract will enhance the overall lemon flavor in the loaf.

    Lemon zest

    If you zest half of a lemon, you'll have enough to bring out the lemon flavor in the bread.

    Vanilla extract

    Use vanilla extract in the glaze to reduce how sweet it tastes and enhance the vanilla flavors.

    Please note: Check out the recipe card at the bottom for a full list of ingredients used to make this low-carb recipe.

    Tips

    • Add parchment paper to the loaf pan. This will prevent the lemon loaf from sticking to the dish.
    • Use the toothpick test. You will know the loaf is fully cooked when you insert a toothpick into the middle of the bread, and it comes out clean.
    • Let the loaf cool completely before adding the lemon glaze. If you don't let it cool completely first, the glaze will melt.

    Instructions

    If you have ever made a simple pound cake or sweet bread, then you can make this keto lemon pound cake. Here's how!

    adding lemon extract to butter cream egg sweetener

    Make the batter

    In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter, eggs, sour cream, heavy whipping cream, and lemon extract.

    flour baking powder lemon zest in bowl.

    Add flour

    Add the almond flour, baking powder, and lemon zest.

    loaf batter in pan.

    Bake the keto lemon loaf

    Pour the keto pound cake batter into your prepared loaf pan, and then bake it for about an hour. Then, let the sugar-free lemon bread cool completely.

    baked loaf in pan.

    Make and add the glaze

    While the keto lemon loaf is cooling, make the glaze. Then, pour the glaze over the bread and enjoy!

    glazed spread on loaf topped with lemon zest.

    ️ Serving suggestions

    This keto lemon loaf is perfect for breakfast, brunch, dessert, or as a post-workout snack. Since it's a Starbucks copycat, I enjoy it with a hot cup of bulletproof coffee.

    If you are going to serve it for brunch, make some sugar-free scones with it. Then you'll have the perfect things to eat with some coffee or tea.

    Add some savory flavors with the sweet keto lemon pound cake and make some keto egg bites on the side.

    Or, just keep it simple and enjoy this cake with a glass of unsweetened almond milk!

    Variations

    There are a lot of different ways you can make this keto lemon pound cake. If you make any changes, please let me know in the comments!

    • If you really want to make it a memorable dessert, use cream cheese frosting instead of the glaze. Add a thin layer of frosting since it has a richer flavor.
    • You could also use coconut oil instead of butter in this lemon bread and replace the eggs with flax eggs.
    • Instead of using a loaf pan, place the keto lemon loaf batter in a bundt pan.
    lemon loaf sliced on oval white platter.

    FAQs

    Here are some questions people often ask about making low-carb lemon pound cake. If you don't see your question in this list, please leave it in the comments.

    Which part of the lemon is lemon zest?

    Grate the lemon rind. The yellow parts of the lemon peel are also known as lemon zest.

    Can I use coconut flour instead of almond flour?

    No, you cannot use coconut flour as a 1:1 replacement for almond flour. Coconut flour soaks up more moisture when you bake with it, so you will have to adjust how much heavy whipping cream you use.

    Can I use melted butter instead of softened butter?

    Yes, if you melt the butter while trying to soften it, you can still use it.

    Is coconut sugar keto-friendly?

    No, coconut sugar is not keto-friendly. Do not use coconut sugar when you bake keto recipes.

    Related recipes

    If you enjoyed this keto lemon pound cake, here are more lemon keto dessert recipes you should make next. They are all perfect for summertime and any time of year.

    • Keto Lemon Meringue Pie is not just keto-friendly but also dairy-free and nut-free too.
    • Blueberry Lemonade Popsicles are refreshing on hot days and the perfect things to give to kids.
    • Gluten-Free Lemon Blueberry Pound Cake only has 5 grams net carbs and is a gorgeous pound cake to share at your next brunch.
    • Keto Lemon Cake can be baked right in your Crock-Pot in less than four hours.
    • Low-Carb Lemon Mug Cake is a gluten-free dessert that you can make right in your microwave.

    Follow us on FACEBOOK, PINTEREST, and INSTAGRAM for even more tasty keto-friendly recipes!

    Recipe

    sliced lemon loaf on white platter.

    Keto Copycat Starbucks Lemon Loaf

    4.84 from 6 votes
    Bright and zesty, this keto lemon loaf is a perfect Starbucks copycat. It's a light and delicious keto lemon pound cake you can enjoy for breakfast, brunch, or a sweet dessert.
    Prep Time:25 minutes mins
    Cook Time:1 hour hr
    Total Time:1 hour hr 25 minutes mins
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Diet: Diabetic, Gluten Free
    Print Pin Review Recipe Save Recipe View Collections
    Servings: 10
    Calories: 303

    Ingredients

    • 3 large eggs
    • ½ cup sour cream
    • ¼ cup heavy whipping cream
    • ½ cup butter softened
    • 1 teaspoon lemon extract
    • 2 ½ cups almond flour
    • ½ cup powdered sweetener
    • 1 teaspoon baking powder
    • ½ tablespoon lemon zest about ½ a lemon

    Glaze:

    • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
    • ⅓ cup powdered sweetener
    • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

    Instructions

    • Preheat the oven to 350°F.
    • In a mixing bowl, beat together the butter, eggs, sour cream, heavy whipping cream and lemon extract.
    • Add in the almond flour, powdered sweetener, baking powder and zest. Blend until smooth.
    • Spread the mixture into a well greased loaf pan, and bake for 50-60 minutes until cooked through completely.
    • Let cool to room temperature.
    • Mix together the ingredients for the glaze, and pour over the loaf before serving.

    Low Carb Sweeteners | Keto Sweetener Conversion Chart

    Nutrition

    Calories: 303 | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 29g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 87mg | Sodium: 97mg | Potassium: 85mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 514IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 102mg | Iron: 1mg

    Additional Info

    Net Carbs: 4 g | % Carbs: 5.2 % | % Protein: 10.4 % | % Fat: 84.5 % | SmartPoints: 11
    Values
    Array
    (
        [calories] => 303
        [carbohydrates] => 7
        [protein] => 8
        [fat] => 29
        [saturated_fat] => 10
        [polyunsaturated_fat] => 1
        [monounsaturated_fat] => 4
        [trans_fat] => 1
        [cholesterol] => 87
        [sodium] => 97
        [potassium] => 85
        [fiber] => 3
        [sugar] => 2
        [vitamin_a] => 514
        [vitamin_c] => 2
        [calcium] => 102
        [iron] => 1
    )
    

    Notes on Nutritional Information

    Nutritional information for the recipe is provided as a courtesy and is approximate only. We cannot guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information given for any recipe on this site. Erythritol carbs are not included in carb counts as it has been shown not to impact blood sugar. Net carbs are the total carbs minus fiber.

    Copyright

    © LowCarbYum.com - Unauthorized use of this material without written permission is strictly prohibited unless for personal offline purposes. Single photos may be used, provided that full credit is given to LowCarbYum.com along with a link back to the original content.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Pam

      December 25, 2023 at 8:31 am

      5 stars
      I made several adjustments but the basic recipe is winner. I added additional lemon zest and sweetener to the bread to boost the flavor. I doubled the amount of confectioner's Swerve in the frosting and halved the amount of lemon juice in order to get the firm thick layer of frosting that Starbuck's lemon cake has.
      Also, I used a 4"x9" loaf pan which worked perfectly.
      Thanks for great recipe!

      Reply
    2. Jill

      July 20, 2023 at 11:27 pm

      5 stars
      This was absolutely delicious! It has gone into my “tried and true” Pinterest, recipes! I did not have sour cream, so I substituted plain Greek yogurt, which adds more protein, but I’m not sure what it does to the carbs. I don’t think it should increase it a lot, and it’s lower in fat. I also increased the powdered sweetener in the glaze. This recipe was amazing, and I will definitely be making it again and again! Thank you for sharing!

      Reply
    3. Kelly E.

      February 18, 2023 at 6:57 pm

      Can this be frozen?

      Reply
      • Rhonda Watson

        April 18, 2023 at 1:59 pm

        4 stars
        Will adding an additional egg help make this more moist? Almond flour is always too dry for my husband. He has very poor mouth moisture due to throat cancer many years ago.

        Reply
    4. Vicky Whitman

      January 29, 2023 at 1:39 am

      I am celiac so I can’t do the powdered sweetener but could I maybe substitute confectioners sugar or plain sugar?

      Reply
    5. Zeke

      August 31, 2022 at 9:03 am

      5 stars
      thanks for the clarification! I'll share that with my friends, who also really liked the cake!

      Reply
    6. Sandra Ricciardi

      August 02, 2022 at 5:48 pm

      Trying to find the recipe

      Reply
      • Lisa MarcAurele

        August 02, 2022 at 8:22 pm

        Scroll down until you see an area with a green background or click to "Jump To Recipe" from the top.

        Reply
    7. Melanie

      July 20, 2022 at 11:59 am

      Would love to make this recipe. Do you think I could substitute Half/Half for the cream?

      Reply
      • Lisa MarcAurele

        July 21, 2022 at 6:54 am

        It does help to have the extra fat and thickness of cream. You may need to use a little thickener like xanthan gum with half and half.

        Reply
    8. Birdie

      July 19, 2022 at 10:16 am

      The serving size wasn't clear for me, but maybe I missed it. Could you provide how many slices would net a 303 calorie serving? The 10 serving was changeable and the calories didn't change so it was unclear for me. Thank you for your trouble. I am going to make this cake with my granddaughter. It really looks good. I've been on keto for 4 months and the only dessert I have had is smoothies and strawberries with whipping cream, sweetened with monk fruit. Having cake would be a real treat!!!

      Reply
      • Lisa MarcAurele

        July 19, 2022 at 5:50 pm

        I got 10 even slices and so each serving is one slice.

        Reply
    9. Nancy

      July 18, 2022 at 9:16 am

      5 stars
      This lemon loaf is absolutely delicious. Directions were very clear and it turned out beautifully. I also used lemon zest in the glaze, which enhanced the lemon flavor. I really enjoy your recipes.

      Reply
    10. Jocelyn mitchellh

      July 14, 2022 at 2:38 pm

      Can I order one of these cakes, do you sell as well. I'm interested in purchasing.

      Reply
      • Lisa MarcAurele

        July 14, 2022 at 8:39 pm

        There's a lot involved in shipping out pre-baked goods. We just provide recipes so you can make easy low-carb treats yourself.

        Reply
        • Michelle

          August 02, 2022 at 9:05 am

          I love this recipe. Thank you. My family really enjoyed it. I did substitute 2 ingredients. I used homemade plain yogurt instead of sour cream and orange blossom water instead of vanilla for the loaf ingredients and it was very moist. Just perfect

        • Zeke

          August 29, 2022 at 11:24 am

          Hi Lisa!
          Delicious cake and easy to make.

          I do have one question on the carbs.

          You list 7g of total carbs per slice, but I calculated closer to 17g of carbs per slice.

          I used Swerve, but it had about the same total carbs as the Lakanto that is referenced in your recipe.

          Is there something I could change to get to the 7g of carbs?

          Again…. It’s a delicious cake!! My family loves it too!

        • Lisa MarcAurele

          August 29, 2022 at 1:21 pm

          The carbs in both sweeteners are from erythritol which has not impact so I do not count them.

    4.84 from 6 votes (1 rating without comment)

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