It’s spring at last!
The first official day of spring where I live was miserable. Like, it snowed. Luckily, the day after was high 50s, sunny, and breezy.
Unfortunately, I spent the entire day indoors, because I had a dance event.
You win some, you lose some, huh?
So how am I making up for missed sunshine? By baking with my favorite spring flavor: lemons! Lemons are aesthetically the epitome of spring. The bright yellow just makes my frozen winter heart melt a little.
Lemons also just add a lovely bright note to any dish. Tart and sweet, this simple rustic whole wheat lemon loaf combines vanilla, lemon, and a smattering of powdered sugar to create a light and wholesome flavor.
I was considering frosting this loaf or pouring a lovely drippy glaze over the top- I even thought about adding some poppyseeds. But with this kind of treat, simplicity is key! Plus, sometimes, less is more. (But not always)
I hope you’re having a wonderful first few days of spring! I sure am. Something about the weather change instantly brightens my mood, I’ve gotta say!
Enjoy!
- 1½ cups white whole wheat flour
- 1-2 tsp baking powder
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
- ⅓ cup vegan butter
- ½ cup raw turbinado sugar
- ¾ cup almond milk
- ¼ cup lemon juice
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- zest of one small lemon
- 1 tbsp powdered sugar
- Preheat oven to 375 F. Once it hits 375 F, reset the temp to 350 F.
- Grease and flour a loaf pan.
- Combine almond milk and lemon juice in a small bowl and set aside.
- Cream butter and sugar (I did not use a mixer, just a wooden spoon) in a large bowl.
- Add flour, cornstarch, baking powder, vanilla extract, lemon zest, and almond milk mixture.
- Stir to combine thoroughly and pour thick batter into pan.
- Bake for 30 minutes or until a toothpick can be removed cleanly.
- Dust with powdered sugar and serve.
Medha – This loaf looks amazing! Our first day of spring also included five inches of snow. I’m hoping it all melts very soon. I’m itching to get out into the garden and harvest some fresh fruits and vegetables…but with the ground frozen everything is on halt. I love the vegan variety of this bread. It would be perfect to surprise a friend with.
Thanks, Erin 🙂
Yep, our first day of spring totally sucked. But maybe it’ll get warm one of these days? I’m not digging the 30-something degrees in late March!
This lemon loaf looks great. I want it for breakfast!
Looking warm on Thursday, but rainy! Thanks 🙂
yes!!! I agree!! Lemons are aesthetically the epitome of spring!!! love lemons! and love this lemon loaf cake!!! which vegan butter do you use?
Thanks, Alice! I use Earth Balance (whipped)
It was snowing by me yesterday, so wishing I had some spring weather! This lemon loaf cake looks amazing, Medha! I love the bright flavors. So perfect to remind me that spring is hopefully almost here!
Aw hope it warms up!
I’ve been craving lemon lately like it’s my job, Medha! And not surprisingly, I’ve been baking quite a few lemon-inspired things, too. This bread looks incredible…I bet it would be perfect with a cup of coffee! 🙂
Thanks, David!
I LOVE everything lemon! This looks awesome!
Lemon is the best 🙂
Lemons always make me smile! This bread looks delicious.
We just had four inches of snow in Chicago, so I totally understand what you’re saying. Tomorrow is going to be in the 50s and I can’t wait!
Yayyyy spring weather!
I love that you made it lemon and vegan. Perfect!
Thanks!
I agree – lemons (or really any citrus) are just perfect right now. This loaf looks delicious!
Thank you!
Our first day of spring included snow as well, but it looks like it’s going to warm up here later this week! I sure hope so. This lemon loaf looks and sounds amazing – I just love anything lemon flavored!
I loooove lemon 🙂
OBSESSED with anything lemon! This cake looks fantastic, Medha! Pinning for later!
Thanks for the pin!
I love how bright and springy this is! I’m sorry you have to deal with snow still! 🙁
It’s been warming up! Thanks 🙂
The bright flavor of lemon always makes me feel like spring is on the horizon as well! This loaf sounds deeelightful!
Thanks, Joanne 🙂
thank you!!!
No prob!
Lemon desserts are my favorite since they can always seem to brighten up any kind of day! This loaf looks amazing, Medha! I love that it’s vegan too!
Thanks, Kelly 🙂
I totally hear you! I have been too perky for my own good, now that the sun is finally shining. But it was a miserable first day of spring here, too. We got like 4 inches of snow and my kids school got cancelled! Thank goodness it’s all nearly melted now. This loaf sounds wonderful, and just the perfect way to welcome Spring!
Thank you, Allie! 🙂
It still doesn’t feel like spring around here, but I hope it warms up soon 🙂 Love this lemony bread! So easy to make! Pinned!
Thanks for the pin!
I hope you get warm weather soon! I love lemon and how it just brightens everything up. Your loaf looks fantastic!
It’s going to be 73 tomorrow! But storming… Thanks 🙂
I am crazy about anything lemon! The perfect way to begin spring (even if there is still snowing 🙂 )
You’re totally right 🙂
What a great recipe for Spring! That loaf looks SO yummy!! 🙂
Thank you!
I’m so glad I found your blog again via Liz, Medha! I’m seriously in love with this loaf (vegan?!?! sign me up! lol) and goodness knows I’d send you some spring if I could–it’s been 90 degrees and scorching over here lately! You win some, you lose some right? Totally digging the lemons here as well though. Hope you get lots of warm weather soon!
90 degrees?! Gimme some sunshine 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!
So happy spring is here! I love baking with lots of lemon once it’s nice out too. So bright and cheery. Love that this is vegan! Looks amazing!
Thank you!
I am all about the lemon flavors this year! Love that this is vegan and made with whole wheat! That means I can eat the entire loaf by myself, right? 😉
Totally 🙂
What a wonderful dish to welcome spring… even if there is still snow on the ground 😉 I’ve never had vegan cake, but I’ve heard it’s great! Nice use of lemon to make this cake light and bright.
Thanks!
Looks perfect for Spring. I will switch places with you. It’s been warm here for a while now and I want cold. Is that crazy talk? I love that this is lemon and vegan! Perfect!! 😉
Yes that is! I’ll take all your warm weather 🙂
This looks so delicious! I love the idea of using lemon in the loaf to brighten it up!
Thank you!
I’ve never seen that flour you used but it looks like a wonderful whole wheat flour brand! I love this lemon loaf. I can smell it through my screen 😉 I bet it tastes marvelous
It’s from Trader Joe’s!
It’s so true that lemons brighten almost any dish! This cake looks wonderful – a great way to kick off spring!!
Thank you 🙂
Oh I LOVE cooking with lemons, this loaf looks so lovely!
Thanks, Jessica 🙂
Snow in the Spring is just so wrong! I think this lemon loaf definitely would make up for that though, this looks so incredible!
I agree, thanks 🙂
Yeah, earlier this week, the forecasters predicted a high of 68º today. It barely made it to 50º! And we had sleet/snow a couple days ago. Ugh. But your lemon loaf would certainly put a smile on my face! Perfect with my morning tea.
Ugh I hate that! Thanks 🙂
Yeah, it snowed on the first day of spring here in Boston as well! Your lemon loaf cake looks amazing. I’m so glad I came across your blog–all your vegan recipes are so impressive!!
Thank you!
Oh my, this has got to be made this weekend! We love anything lemon!
Thank you!
OMG! Snow! I can’t believe you got snow! It is far from snow where I live! I love adding lemon to baked goods and this loaf cake looks amazing!
It was 73 yesterday! I don’t know what’s going on hahahah 🙂
Lemon is the best treat for spring! Love that you used white whole wheat and kept this simple. Wish I had a slice right now 😉
Thanks, Megan 🙂
I love the richness of this loaf!! Looks so good!!
Thanks, Zainab 🙂
Loving this loaf cake! The bright lemon flavor is so perfect for spring!
Thanks, Jen! 🙂