If sunshine could be baked into a loaf, it would taste like this Easy Lemon Zucchini Bread. Bursting with fresh lemon flavor, touched with the delicate sweetness of sugar, and made incredibly moist with zucchini, this quick bread is light, refreshing, and unforgettable. The glaze adds just the right zingy finish, making every bite bright and satisfying.

This is not just another zucchini bread—it’s a slice of pure comfort with a citrus twist. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or an afternoon treat, this recipe is one you’ll find yourself baking again and again.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This bread has everything you love in a homemade loaf. It is incredibly moist and tender thanks to the addition of zucchini and buttermilk, both of which give the crumb a soft texture without making it heavy. The lemon juice and zest infuse the loaf with a freshness that is tangy, vibrant, and uplifting.

It is also a very forgiving recipe, easy to follow and nearly foolproof, making it a go-to option even for beginner bakers. Unlike overly sweet desserts, the glaze strikes just the right balance, adding brightness without overpowering the natural flavors. Whether you’re baking it to use up seasonal zucchini or to bring a little sunshine into a winter morning, this recipe works year-round and never fails to impress.

Prep & Cooking Time

This recipe is quick to prepare and bakes up beautifully golden.

Preparation Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 50–60 minutes
Total Time: About 1 hour 10 minutes

Ingredients

You don’t need anything fancy to make this loaf. Here’s what you’ll need:

For the Bread:

2 cups cake flour (or all-purpose flour)
2 teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
2 large eggs
½ cup canola oil (or vegetable oil)
1⅓ cups sugar
½ cup buttermilk
2 tablespoons lemon juice
Zest of 1 lemon
1 cup grated zucchini (excess moisture lightly squeezed out)

For the Glaze:

1 cup powdered sugar, sifted
3 tablespoons milk
2 tablespoons lemon juice

Step-by-Step

Instructions

Preheat the Oven: Heat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan and line with parchment paper for easy removal.
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, beat eggs, oil, and sugar until smooth. Stir in buttermilk, lemon juice, and zest.
Combine: Add dry ingredients gradually into the wet mixture and stir until just combined. Gently fold in grated zucchini.
Bake: Pour batter into the prepared pan and bake for 50–60 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.
Prepare the Glaze: Whisk powdered sugar, milk, and lemon juice until smooth.
Glaze the Bread: Once cooled, drizzle glaze over the loaf and let it set before slicing.

How to Serve

There are countless ways to enjoy this lemon zucchini bread, and each one makes it feel like a special treat. Fresh out of the oven, a warm slice pairs wonderfully with your morning cup of coffee or tea, offering the perfect balance of citrus brightness and soft sweetness to start your day on the right note.

For a leisurely weekend brunch, arrange thick slices on a serving platter with fresh fruit and yogurt on the side, allowing the bread to shine as both a centerpiece and a complement to lighter dishes. If you’re serving it as dessert, you can dress it up beautifully with a dusting of powdered sugar, a dollop of whipped cream, or even a handful of fresh berries for added color and tang. Wrapped neatly, it also makes a thoughtful gift for friends and family—something homemade, heartfelt, and delicious.

Whether enjoyed as a breakfast treat, a snack to brighten the afternoon, or a light yet satisfying finish to dinner, this bread adapts to any occasion with ease and charm.

Tips & Variations

The beauty of this recipe lies in its versatility, and there are so many ways to make it your own. If you’re looking for a healthier option, you can substitute part of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour or swap the buttermilk with Greek yogurt for added protein and a richer texture. For a more intense lemon flavor, simply add extra zest or a splash of lemon extract to amplify the citrus notes. If you prefer a little crunch, a handful of walnuts, pecans, or almonds stirred into the batter will give each slice a delightful texture.

You can also experiment with fruit additions—blueberries, raspberries, or even blackberries fold in beautifully, making the bread taste like summer in every bite. For a more indulgent variation, try glazing the bread with a cream cheese frosting instead of a simple lemon glaze for a richer, bakery-style finish. And if you’d like to prepare it in advance, you’ll be glad to know that this bread stores very well.

Simply wrap it tightly in foil or plastic wrap, and it will stay moist for several days. You can even freeze it for longer storage, ensuring you always have a slice of homemade sunshine ready whenever you crave it.

Conclusion

This Easy Lemon Zucchini Bread is more than just a recipe—it’s a reminder of how simple ingredients can come together to create something extraordinary. Each slice carries the freshness of lemon, the tenderness of zucchini, and the comforting sweetness of a homemade loaf, making it a dish that feels both humble and special at the same time. Whether you serve it warm at breakfast, offer it as an afternoon snack, or share it as a gift, this bread is guaranteed to bring smiles and brighten the table. Once you bake it, you’ll find yourself returning to it again and again, not just because it’s easy, but because it’s everything you want in a homemade treat: light, moist, flavorful, and full of joy.