Lemon Blueberry Bliss Loaf
This delightful Lemon Blueberry Bliss Loaf is a fresh and vibrant twist on a classic quick bread. Inspired by my quest to recreate the beloved Trader Joe's Blueberry Lemon Bread, I fiddled with a cherished Glazed Lemon Cake recipe, giving it my own personal touch by incorporating luscious blueberries. The result? A remarkably moist and tender loaf that bursts with the bright flavors of lemon and sweet, juicy blueberries. Perfect for breakfast, a mid-afternoon snack, or a delightful dessert, this bread has gained a special spot in my family's hearts. You won’t be able to resist its intoxicating aroma that fills your kitchen as it bakes! I think it might even surpass the original, but I leave that for you to decide.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
14
Ingredients
Ingredients
butter
1 cup (softened)
granulated sugar
2 cups (none)
eggs
3 (beaten)
flour
3 cups (all-purpose)
baking soda
1/2 teaspoon (none)
salt
1/2 teaspoon (none)
buttermilk
2/3 cup (none)
lemon zest
2 tablespoons (tightly packed)
lemon juice
2 tablespoons (fresh)
frozen blueberries
8 ounces (none)
powdered sugar
8 ounces (sifted)
melted butter
1/4 cup (none)
additional lemon zest
1 1/2 tablespoons (tightly packed)
additional lemon juice
1/4 cup (fresh)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C).
2
Grease and flour two 9x5-inch loaf pans to prevent sticking.
3
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
4
Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition until the mixture is smooth.
5
Stir in the buttermilk, blending until fully incorporated.
6
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
7
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the buttermilk mixture, mixing just until combined.
8
Fold in the lemon juice and lemon zest, stirring gently to incorporate.
9
Gently fold in the blueberries, being careful not to overmix.
10
Divide the batter evenly between the prepared loaf pans.
11
Bake in the center of the oven for 60 to 65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaves comes out clean.
12
After baking, let the loaves cool in the pans for about 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack, placing them top-side up on a large cookie sheet.
13
For the icing, combine the powdered sugar, melted butter, additional lemon zest, and lemon juice in a bowl.
14
Using an electric mixer, beat the icing until smooth and creamy.
15
Drizzle the icing over the warm loaves, allowing it to harden as the bread cools to room temperature.
16
Note: If you choose to make this recipe without blueberries, reduce the baking time to 50 minutes and increase the buttermilk to 1 cup for optimal moisture.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Lemon Blueberry Bliss Loaf?
The Lemon Blueberry Bliss Loaf is a fresh and vibrant quick bread that combines the bright flavors of lemon with sweet, juicy blueberries for a moist and tender result.
What was the inspiration for this recipe?
This recipe was inspired by a quest to recreate the popular Trader Joe's Blueberry Lemon Bread using a cherished Glazed Lemon Cake recipe as a base.
How many loaves does this recipe make?
This recipe yields two 9x5-inch loaves.
At what temperature should the oven be set?
The oven should be preheated to 325°F (163°C).
How should I prepare the loaf pans?
You should grease and flour two 9x5-inch loaf pans to prevent the bread from sticking.
How long does the Lemon Blueberry Bliss Loaf take to bake?
The loaves typically bake for 60 to 65 minutes.
How do I know when the loaves are finished baking?
The bread is done when a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaves comes out clean.
Can I make this recipe without blueberries?
Yes, you can make a plain lemon version by omitting the blueberries, increasing the buttermilk to 1 cup, and reducing the bake time to 50 minutes.
What ingredients are needed for the icing?
The icing consists of 8 ounces of sifted powdered sugar, 1/4 cup of melted butter, 1 1/2 tablespoons of tightly packed lemon zest, and 1/4 cup of fresh lemon juice.
How should the icing be applied?
The icing should be beaten with an electric mixer until smooth and then drizzled over the warm loaves.
What type of flour is used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for 3 cups of all-purpose flour.
How many eggs are required for the batter?
The recipe requires 3 beaten eggs.
What is the first step in mixing the batter?
The first step is to cream together 1 cup of softened butter and 2 cups of granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
Should the blueberries be fresh or frozen?
The recipe specifically calls for 8 ounces of frozen blueberries.
How much lemon zest goes into the bread batter?
The batter requires 2 tablespoons of tightly packed lemon zest.
How much lemon juice is used in the bread batter?
The batter requires 2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice.
What role does buttermilk play in this recipe?
Buttermilk adds moisture and a slight tang to the bread, with 2/3 cup used in the standard blueberry version.
How long should the loaves cool in the pan?
Let the loaves cool in the pans for about 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack.
Should the icing be drizzled on hot or cold bread?
The icing should be drizzled over the loaves while they are still warm.
What tools are recommended for making the icing?
An electric mixer is recommended to beat the icing until it is smooth and creamy.
How do I prevent the blueberries from crushing while mixing?
Gently fold the blueberries into the batter at the very end to avoid overmixing or crushing them.
Is this bread suitable for breakfast?
Yes, it is noted as being perfect for breakfast, a mid-afternoon snack, or a dessert.
What should I do with the dry ingredients?
Whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt in a separate bowl before adding them gradually to the wet ingredients.
How much baking soda is used?
The recipe uses 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda.
What is the texture of the finished loaf?
The result is a remarkably moist and tender loaf.
Does the icing harden after application?
Yes, the icing will harden as the bread cools to room temperature.
Can I use bottled lemon juice?
The recipe recommends using fresh lemon juice for both the batter and the icing for the best flavor.
How do I prepare the wire rack for icing?
Place the wire rack on a large cookie sheet to catch any drips while drizzling the icing over the loaves.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are a total of 14 ingredients used across the loaf and the icing.
What tags are associated with this recipe?
Tags include quick bread, lemon bread, blueberry bread, dessert, breakfast, family-friendly, baking, and sweet bread.