Step 1

Preheat oven to 350°F/175°C. Grease a loaf tin with oil. Then place a wax paper at the bottom. keep it aside.

Step 2

Take a lemon and zest only the thin outer yellow layer. Take care not to scrub the bitter white part. use only 1/4 tsp lemon zest in the recipe or use 1/2 tsp for a more strong lemon flavor. (I am using 1/4 tsp in the recipe)

Step 3

Juice the lemon and use 2 tbsp lemon juice or 30 ml for the recipe. (1 tbsp of lemon juice will be used to make buttermilk and remaining 1 tbsp will be added to the cake batter)

Step 4

Take milk and add 1 tbsp of freshly squeezed lemon juice. slightly give it a stir. keep it aside until ready to use (This will turn the milk into thick buttermilk which will help the cake to remain moist and soft)

Step 5

Take dry ingredients in a bowl- flour, baking powder and baking soda. Sieve the dry ingredients using a fine mesh strainer for a fine smooth texture.

Step 6

Now prepare the wet ingredients. Add sugar,butter,lemon zest and vanilla extract in a separate bowl. mix Add buttermilk which you made earlier and remaining 1 tbsp of lemon juice. Mix well. The mixture will look curdled but its okay. (If you have time then you can cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy with a beater before adding other wet ingredients)

Step 7

Now fold in the flour mixture into the wet mixture in 2 or 3 batches and mix well with a spatula. do not over mix.

Step 8

The cake batter is ready. Fill the greased loaf tin with the prepared cake batter and smooth the top with a spatula or back of a spoon.

Step 9

Bake in the preheated oven for 30 mins. Insert a toothpick in the center to check whether done or not. If still wet then bake more until toothpick comes out clean. usually the cake should be done by 30 to 35 mins.

Step 10

Keep the tin on the cooling rack for 5 mins. Then just scrape the edges lightly with a small knife and invert on a tray or chopping board. Remove the wax paper at the bottom. Invert again and keep on the cooling rack until the cake cools down. (you can apply some butter on the top of warm cake to give a glaze)

Step 11

Eggless lemon loaf cake is ready. slice and serve