A lemon loaf for slow afternoons

A loaf cake is a useful sort of thing to have on the counter. It asks for no occasion and no elaborate finishing. A slice with tea is enough. Another, wrapped up for someone heading home, is a small kindness.

This version uses olive oil, plain yogurt, and plenty of lemon zest. Choose a mild olive oil if you want the lemon to lead. The glaze is optional, but its sharp sweetness makes a lovely first bite.

What you’ll need

Makes one 23 × 13 cm / 9 × 5 inch loaf, about 8 slices. Allow 15 minutes to prepare, 45–55 minutes to bake, and time to cool.

• 200 g plain / all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon fine salt
• 150 g caster or granulated sugar
• Finely grated zest of 2 lemons
• 2 large eggs
• 100 ml mild olive oil
• 125 g plain yogurt
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

For an optional glaze: 80 g icing / powdered sugar and 1–2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice.

Make something good

1. Heat the oven to 180°C / 350°F. Lightly oil the loaf tin and line it with baking paper, leaving enough over the long sides to lift out the cake.
2. Whisk the flour, baking powder, and salt together in a bowl.
3. In another bowl, rub the lemon zest into the sugar with your fingertips. Whisk in the eggs, followed by the olive oil, yogurt, and lemon juice.
4. Fold in the dry ingredients just until the flour disappears. Scrape the batter into the tin and smooth the top.
5. Bake for 45–55 minutes, until the loaf is golden and a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. If the top browns before the center is ready, cover it loosely with foil.
6. Let the loaf rest in the tin for 15 minutes, then lift it onto a rack to cool completely.
7. For the glaze, stir the icing sugar with 1 tablespoon of lemon juice. Add more juice a little at a time until thick but pourable. Spoon over the cooled loaf and let it settle before slicing.

Keep the afternoon simple

The loaf needs very little alongside it. Put the kettle on, bring out a few plates, and cut the slices as people arrive. A little plain yogurt and some berries are nice if you have them.

There is no need to turn it into a project. The pleasure is in making something with your hands, letting the kitchen smell of lemon, and finding a moment to sit down.