Lemon Almond Bread
This moist Lemon Almond Bread is bursting with fresh lemon and almond flavor. Easy one-bowl recipe, perfect for breakfast or dessert. Get the recipe now!
Another reason to love dessert: Red, White & Blue Funfetti Sandwich Cookies, Spinach Artichoke Sun-Dried Tomato Breakfast Casserole, and Rosemary Roasted Almonds.
The Lemon Almond Bread That Almost Didn’t Get Shared
I’ve been on a serious lemon kick lately, lemon pasta, cookies, pancakes, even a grilled cheese. I know, it’s a lot. But I’m not apologizing, because this Lemon Almond Bread is worth every lemon I’ve squeezed. In fact, it was so good I almost kept the whole loaf for myself. (Sorry, neighbors.) The combo of almond milk and almond extract gives it a warm nutty flavor, while fresh lemon zest and juice make you pucker up just enough. Then I went and drizzled a sweet lemon glaze on top and sprinkled sliced almonds. It’s a lemon-almond party in your mouth.
Why You’ll Love This Moist Lemon Almond Bread
- It’s incredibly moist thanks to almond milk and oil, no dry quick bread here.
- The bright lemon and nutty almond flavors complement each other perfectly.
- No mixer required: just a bowl and a whisk, so cleanup is easy.
Key Ingredients for the Best Lemon Almond Bread
- Lemon zest: Don’t skip it. The oils in the zest pack more lemon punch than juice alone. Rub it with sugar to release the aroma.
- Almond extract: A little goes a long way. It gives the bread that unmistakable almond flavor that pairs so well with lemon.
- Almond milk: Keeps the crumb tender and adds a subtle nuttiness. Any unsweetened nondairy milk works, but almond keeps the theme.
Tools You’ll Need for This Lemon Almond Bread
- 8.5×4.5-inch loaf pan, the size matters for the right shape and baking time.
- Mixing bowls (large and medium)
- Whisk
- Microplane or zester for the lemon zest
- Wire cooling rack
Tips for Perfect Lemon Almond Bread Every Time
When you combine the wet and dry ingredients, stir just until they come together. Overmixing develops gluten and makes the bread tough. Start checking for doneness at 55 minutes, a toothpick inserted in the center should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs. Let the bread cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then run a knife around the edges and turn it out onto a rack. Don’t glaze until it’s completely cool, or the glaze will soak in and disappear.
Ways to Customize This Lemon Almond Bread
If you want to switch things up, try using lime zest and juice instead of lemon for a citrus twist. You can also fold in a handful of fresh or frozen blueberries, toss them in a little flour first so they don’t sink. For a poppy seed version, add 2 tablespoons of poppy seeds along with the dry ingredients. And if you don’t have almond milk, any milk (dairy or nondairy) will work; just note the almond flavor will be slightly milder.
How to Serve Lemon Almond Bread
This bread is great for breakfast with a cup of coffee or tea, the lemon wakes you right up. For dessert, serve it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. It also makes a nice afternoon snack alongside fresh fruit. If you’re feeling extra indulgent, spread a little butter or cream cheese on a slice.
Storing Your Lemon Almond Bread
Keep the bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you live in a humid climate, pop it in the fridge instead, it’ll stay fresh for 5 days. Just let slices come to room temp or warm them slightly before eating.
Freezing Lemon Almond Bread for Later
To freeze, wrap the cooled loaf (unglazed) tightly in plastic wrap, then foil. It keeps for up to 3 months. When you’re ready, thaw it on the counter overnight, then make the glaze fresh and drizzle it on. If you’ve already glazed it, freeze slices on a baking sheet, then wrap individually, the glaze will be a little sticky but still tasty.
Reheating Leftover Lemon Almond Bread
For a just-baked experience, pop slices in a 300°F oven for 5-10 minutes. The edges get slightly crisp while the inside stays tender. In a hurry? Microwave a slice for 15-20 seconds. Be careful not to overdo it, or the glaze will melt into a puddle.
Frequently Asked Questions About Lemon Almond Bread
Can I use regular milk instead of almond milk?
Yes, any milk works. The bread will still be moist, but the almond flavor will be less pronounced. Use whole milk for extra richness.
Can I make this bread gluten-free?
You can substitute a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. Keep in mind the texture may be slightly denser. Check for doneness a few minutes earlier since gluten-free flours can dry out faster.
How do I prevent the bread from being dry?
Don’t overbake. Start checking at 55 minutes. Also make sure you measure your flour correctly, spoon it into the measuring cup and level off, don’t scoop directly.
Can I skip the glaze?
Sure, the bread is delicious on its own. But the glaze adds a nice tangy sweetness and helps the almonds stick. If you skip it, you can sprinkle sliced almonds on top before baking.
What’s the best way to zest a lemon?
Use a microplane or fine grater. Only take off the yellow part, the white pith is bitter. Grate the lemon before you juice it for easiest handling.
Recipe
Lemon Almond Bread

Lemon Almond Bread that is delicious enough to serve as a dessert. I am still calling it bread though so I can eat it for breakfast:)
Ingredients
bread
- 1.5 cup all-purpose flour
- 0.5 tsp salt
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tbsp lemon zest
- 0.75 cup unsweetened almond milk, or buttermilk or regular milk
- 0.5 cup canola oil, or vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs, slightly beaten
- 1 tsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp almond extract
glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1.5 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp almond extract
- 3 tbsp sliced almonds, for garnishing the loaf
Instructions
- 1
Preheat oven to 350° F. Spray a 8 ½ x 4 ½ loaf pan with cooking spray and set aside.
- 2
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and baking powder. In a small bowl, combine sugar and lemon zest. Rub together with your fingers until fragrant. Whisk into the flour mixture. Set aside.
- 3
In a separate medium bowl, combine the almond milk, oil, eggs, lemon juice, vanilla, and almond extract.
- 4
Slowly add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients. Stir until combined. Pour batter into prepared loaf pan.
- 5
Bake for 55-60 minutes, or until toothpick comes out clean. Place the loaf on a cooling rack and cool for 15 minutes. Loosen the sides of the bread with a knife. Carefully remove loaf from pan. Let cool completely on wire rack.
- 6
While the bread is cooling, make the lemon glaze. In a small bowl, combine powdered sugar, lemon juice, and almond extract. Whisk until smooth. Drizzle the glaze of the lemon almond bread. Sprinkle sliced almonds over the bread. Cut and serve.
Nutrition (per serving)
Calorie breakdown
How this was calculated — 15 of 15 ingredients matched
Nutrition information is automatically calculated from USDA FoodData Central, so should only be used as an approximation. Actual values may vary depending on the ingredients, brands, and preparation methods used.
Open in analyzerKeyword: almond, breakfast, dessert, lemon, Oven Baked, quick bread, vegetarian
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NutriforksNutriForks is a home-cooking site built around two simple ideas: recipes should actually work, and you should know what’s in them. Every recipe pairs clear, tested instructions with a full nutrition breakdown, so healthy, everyday cooking is genuinely easy.




