These Mini Meyer Lemon Loaves are drenched in a sweet lemon syrup and topped with a sugary glaze.
This only my second time baking with meyer lemons, and I’m seriously wondering why I haven’t done it more often. Have you tried a Meyer Lemon? They are the BEST. Sweeter than your regular old less exciting lemons, they are said to be a cross between a lemon and a mandarin, and they are delicious! For this post, I’ve collaborated with some fabulous bloggers to bring you sweet and savory recipes all made with lemon!
I love lemon desserts. If there’s a lemon meringue pie or lemon tart on the dessert menu, you can bet I’m going for that over anything chocolate – I love the sweet/tart flavor, and generally find lemon desserts to be less heavy.
These mini meyer lemon loaves are the perfect pairing for your afternoon tea/coffee, or even breakfast if you desire. No judgement here – this is a desserts all the time kinda zone.
I found these super cute pastel colored mini-loaf pans was dying to use them. Nothing quite screams SPRING like pretty pastels. I know it’s technically still February and we’re just past Valentine’s Day, but we’re exactly one month from the first day of spring, so I think spring-looking recipes are fair game.
The recipe for these mini meyer lemon loaves is really simple. The biggest pain in the butt is zesting the lemons, but it really doesn’t take that much time and it’s really worth it. Zest is crucial in my opinion, and really adds a depth of flavor. The syrup is optional, but again, it really intensifies the flavor, so I wouldn’t skip it!
If you don’t have mini loaf pans (not many do), you can easily make this recipe in a regular sized loaf pan or a 6-cup Bundt pan. Just be sure to adjust the baking time accordingly. Meyer lemons are in season from November to March, so if you’re looking to try them, don’t dawdle or you’ll miss out!
If you love lemons as much as I do, be sure to check out the lemon flavored recipes from my blogger friends below!
Mini Meyer Lemon Loaves
Ingredients
Loaves:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cups granulated sugar
- 1 Tbsp Meyer lemon zest approx. 2 lemons
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/3 cup milk
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1 Tbsp Meyer lemon juice approx. 1/2 lemon
Syrup:
- 2 Tbsp Meyer lemon juice approx. 1 lemon
- 2 Tbsp granulated sugar
Glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 3 Tbsp water or milk
Instructions
Loaves:
- Preheat oven to 350F and grease & flour a mini-loaf pan. I use homemade cake release.
- Whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together, set aside.
- Beat butter until smooth. Add sugar and lemon zest and beat until light and fluffy.
- Add eggs one at a time, fully incorporating after each addition. Add vanilla.
- Add flour and milk alternately, beginning and ending with flour (2 additions of flour and 1 of milk). Fully incorporating after each addition.
- Add sour cream and lemon juice and mix until combined.
- Spoon or pipe batter into pan.
- Bake for 20-25mins or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out mostly clean.
- Cool in pan for 10mins, then turn loaves out onto wire rack.
- While the loaves are still hot, poke with a toothpick or skewer and immediately brush with syrup. Allow to cool completely. Once cooled, drizzle glaze over top.
Syrup:
- Place lemon juice and sugar into a small saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring often, until simmering and all sugar has dissolved. Set aside until loaves are ready.
Glaze:
- Place powdered sugar and water into a measuring cup. Stir with a fork until fully combined. Drizzle over loaves. Top with lemon zest if desired.
Check out all the other lovely lemon recipes below from bloggers who took part in our 30 Day Lemon Challenge!
- Buttery Lemon Garlic Rice by Hot Eats and Cool Reads
- Lemon Brulee Tart by Life Currents
- Lemon Cardamom Scones by Manila Spoon
- Lemon Garlic Chicken by Savory Experiments
- Creamy Lemon Layered Pie by Who Needs A Cape?
- Lemon Panna Cotta by Culinary Ginger
- Lemon Pie Bars by Noshing With The Nolands
- Lemon Pudding Cheesecake by Serena Bakes Simply From Scratch
- No Bake Lemon Cheesecake by Num’s the Word
- Zingy Lemon Chicken Wings by Lovefoodies
Manila Spoon says
These delicious mini loaves are perfect for gift-giving!
Olivia says
Thank you Abby! 🙂
Megan - The Emotional Baker says
I love lemon treats, but have yet to try Meyer lemons. These loaves are so beautiful and perfect for spring 🙂
Olivia says
Thanks so much Megan! 🙂
Jessica (Savory Experiments) says
Theses are just beautiful! They are perfect for giving gifts around Easter or spring!
Olivia says
Thank you Jessica! 😀 xo
Thalia @ butter and brioche says
These little loves are so beautiful! And aren’t meyer lemons fabulous – I wish it was easy to get my hands on them here in Australia!
Olivia says
Ahh I wish I could send some your way! Thank you Thalia! <3
Helen Cassidy Page says
I love your website. Is it possible to get email updates of your posts? I signed up to follow you on instagram but I don’t check in there very often.
Olivia says
Hi Helen! YES, you can get emails 🙂 There should be a big bar across the top of my page that says “Never Miss a Recipe”. Just drop your email in there! And thank you! 🙂
Helen Cassidy Page says
Liv, I’v’e looked and looked, but don’t see that bar. Can you add it for me? Sorry to be a pest but I would like to follow you.
Olivia says
Hi Helen! I added you manually, so you should receive the next newsletter on Monday :).
Renée ♥ The Good Hearted Woman says
Oh my gosh, these have me craving lemon bread! So bright and beautiful!
Olivia says
Thank you Renee!! 🙂
Kathryn @ FoodieGirlChicago says
Lemon loaf is one of my favorite treats – these look delicious!!
Olivia says
Me too! Thank you Kathryn! 🙂
Lisa (Panning The Globe) says
These are so sunny! I love your photos. I’m pinning and printing out the recipe so I can make these soon.
Olivia says
Thanks so much Lisa! 🙂
Janelle says
We were just talking about making a lemon loaf. This one sounds amazing and perfect timing!
Olivia says
Thanks Janelle!
Carole Crawford says
Looks like a super addition to my meyer lemon recipes. Wish my tree produced more lemons. But you can freeze both the juice and the zest!
Olivia says
Hi Carole! I am super jealous of your Meyer lemon tree!! Good tip about freezing the juice and the zest. I actually have some leftover in my fridge. I should really do that!
Beth (OMG! Yummy) says
I love my meyer lemons! These sounds so great – the zesting is totally worth it!
Olivia says
Totally! The zest adds so much flavour :). Thank you!
Liz @ I Heart Vegetables says
Those sound delicios!!! I used to be a strictly chocolate dessert eater but now I’ve started branching out 😉 These would be so yummy! Gorgeous photos, too 🙂
Olivia says
I know, I used to be all about the chocolate too! But now lemon is a favourite 🙂 Thanks!!
jacquee | i sugar coat it! says
OK, spring is definitely in the air! LOVE!! (p.s. – saw these cases at superstore last weekend and…)
Olivia says
Haha! YES it is time for spring already 🙂
Lori Who Needs A Cape? says
Spring has sprung with these lovely loaves! Trying soon I know my family will love them!
Olivia says
Thank you Lori! I hope you love them 🙂
Sheena @ Hot Eats and Cool Reads says
These look like such perfect little loaves! I know we’d love them at our house!!
Olivia says
Thank you Sheena!
Serena says
These are adorable! Perfect for a spring treat to bring to the neighbors!
Olivia says
I agree! Thanks Serena 🙂
Lovefoodies says
Wowza! Now I must make these and have with my tea party. They looks so good. Plus I love the other recipes at the end. Such a great variety to choose from. Lovely!
Olivia says
Perfect for a tea party for sure! Thank you Mary! 🙂
Tara says
My daughter adores lemon loaf, probably her number one favorite, I will have to make these for her for sure!!
Olivia says
Thanks Tara! I hope she loves them 🙂
Janette@CulinaryGinger.com says
I have never baked with meyer lemons and need to try. These look so Spring-like and pretty, as well as delicious. Lovely recipe.
Olivia says
Thanks Janette! You will love Meyer lemons 🙂
Justine @ JustineCelina.com says
Oh my gosh, I seriously can’t handle the cuteness! What a great idea with the mini loaf pans! I never look at superstore for that kind of stuff, but I’m definitely going to start. Meyer lemons are the best and I love lemon-based desserts. And these photos are so fresh, delicious looking and spring-y. Absolutely stunning work, as always!
Olivia says
Superstore has some great seasonal items! I always wander through their baking section looking for treasures :). Thank you Justine! 🙂 <3