Easy Lemon Blueberry Bread: Your Go-To Recipe for a Moist & Flavorful Quick Bread

Prepare to be enchanted by the delightful fusion of vibrant lemon zest and juicy blueberries in this incredibly easy-to-make Lemon Blueberry Bread. Each slice offers a perfect balance of tart and sweet, enveloped in a wonderfully moist and tender crumb. Topped with a luscious, tangy lemon glaze, this quick bread is not just a dessert, but a comforting treat that’s perfect for breakfast, brunch, or an afternoon snack.

If you’re searching for a simple yet incredibly rewarding baking project, this quick bread recipe is an absolute winner. It consistently delivers moist, flavorful results that will have everyone asking for more. I’ve been perfecting this recipe for years, and it truly stands out as one of the best lemon desserts you can make. The combination of bright citrus and sweet berries is simply irresistible!

For those who adore these classic flavors, you might also enjoy exploring other delightful recipes like Blueberry Coffee Cake, our classic Lemon Pound Cake Recipe, or a refreshing Lemon Blackberry Cake. And for the ultimate lemon enthusiasts, don’t miss out on making this creamy Lemon Pudding.

Why This Lemon Blueberry Bread Recipe Works So Well

This Lemon Blueberry Bread isn’t just another recipe; it’s a tried-and-true favorite for several compelling reasons:

• Effortless to Prepare: Quick breads are renowned for their simplicity, and this recipe is no exception. With straightforward instructions and minimal fuss, even beginner bakers can achieve spectacular results. You won’t need any special equipment beyond standard kitchen tools, making it accessible to everyone.
• Unforgettable Flavor Combination: The bright, zesty notes of fresh lemon perfectly complement the sweet, slightly tart burst of blueberries. This harmonious pairing creates a refreshing and comforting flavor profile that’s universally loved, making it ideal for any season or occasion.
• Conveniently Freezer-Friendly: One of the best aspects of this bread is how well it freezes. You can easily bake a double batch and save some for later, ensuring you always have a delicious homemade treat on hand. This makes it perfect for busy weeks, unexpected guests, or simply satisfying a sudden craving.
• Incredibly Moist Texture: Thanks to key ingredients like Greek yogurt and melted butter, this bread boasts an exceptionally moist and tender crumb that stays fresh for days. Forget dry, crumbly loaves; every bite of this bread is delightfully soft and satisfying.

Essential Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of this Lemon Blueberry Bread lies in its simple, fresh ingredients. Using high-quality components will truly elevate the flavor of your homemade loaf.

For the Moist & Flavorful Bread:

• All-Purpose Flour: The foundational dry ingredient. We’ll also use a small amount to coat the blueberries, preventing them from sinking to the bottom during baking.
• Baking Powder & Salt: These are crucial leavening agents that ensure your bread rises beautifully and has a tender texture. Salt enhances all the flavors in the bread.
• Granulated Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps create a soft, moist crumb.
• Fresh Lemon Zest: This is where much of the intense lemon flavor comes from. Always use fresh zest for the brightest, most aromatic results. Avoid the white pith, which can be bitter.
• Unsalted Butter (melted and cooled): Adds richness and moisture to the bread. Ensure it’s cooled to avoid cooking the eggs prematurely.
• Plain Greek Yogurt: A secret ingredient for incredible moisture and tenderness. Its acidity also reacts with the baking powder, contributing to a light crumb. Sour cream or buttermilk can be good substitutes if needed.
• Large Eggs (room temperature): Eggs bind the ingredients, add structure, and contribute to the richness. Room temperature eggs emulsify better with other ingredients, leading to a smoother batter.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall sweetness and provides a warm, comforting aroma.
• Fresh Lemon Juice: Adds a tangy brightness to the batter, complementing the zest. Again, fresh is always superior to bottled for flavor.
• Fresh Blueberries: The star fruit of this bread! Fresh blueberries offer the best texture and burst of flavor. If using frozen, see our expert tips below.

For the Tangy Lemon Glaze:

• Powdered Sugar (Confectioners’ Sugar): Forms the base of the glaze, providing sweetness and a smooth consistency. Sift it if it’s lumpy to ensure a silky-smooth glaze.
• Milk: A small amount of milk helps thin the glaze to the perfect drizzling consistency. Any type of milk works.
• Fresh Lemon Juice: Gives the glaze its characteristic tartness and bright lemon flavor, making it the ideal topping for this bread.
• Vanilla Extract: Just a touch rounds out the flavor of the glaze, adding depth.

You can find the precise measurements and a printable recipe card for all these ingredients at the bottom of this post.

Easy Step-by-Step Instructions to Bake Your Bread

Follow these simple steps to create a beautiful and delicious Lemon Blueberry Bread from scratch. Precision and gentle mixing are key for the best results!

• Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Pan. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175°C). Lightly spray a standard 9×5 inch loaf pan with a non-stick cooking spray, or grease and flour it, ensuring even coverage to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Combine Dry and Aromatic Ingredients. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt until well combined. Set this dry mixture aside. In a separate, medium-sized mixing bowl, stir together the granulated sugar and fresh lemon zest with a fork or your fingertips until the sugar is fragrant and appears slightly yellow. This technique helps to release the oils from the zest, infusing the sugar with intense lemon flavor.

Step 3: Cream Wet Ingredients. Add the melted and cooled butter and the plain Greek yogurt to the lemon-sugar mixture. Using either a handheld mixer or a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the mixture on medium speed until it is light, fluffy, and well combined, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed. This usually takes about 2-3 minutes.

Step 4: Incorporate Eggs and Liquids. Gradually add the room temperature eggs to the wet mixture, one at a time, beating well after each addition until fully incorporated. Scrape down the sides of the bowl again. Finally, mix in the vanilla extract and fresh lemon juice until just combined. The mixture should be smooth and emulsified.

Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients. Add the dry ingredients from Step 2 into the wet ingredients. Mix on low speed, or gently fold by hand with a spatula, until just combined. It’s crucial to be careful not to overmix the batter. Overmixing can develop the gluten too much, resulting in a tough, dense bread. A few small streaks of flour are perfectly fine.

Step 6: Fold in the Blueberries. In a small bowl, toss the fresh blueberries with 1 tablespoon of all-purpose flour. This step is essential as it helps to prevent the blueberries from sinking to the bottom of the loaf during baking. Gently fold the floured blueberries into the batter using a wooden spoon or rubber spatula until they are evenly distributed, again taking care not to overmix.

Step 7: Bake the Bread. Pour the prepared batter evenly into your greased loaf pan. Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 40-50 minutes. The exact baking time can vary depending on your oven, so keep an eye on it. The bread is done when a wooden skewer or toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs, but no wet batter.

Step 8: Cool Completely. Once baked, remove the loaf pan from the oven and allow the bread to cool in the pan on a wire rack for about 10-15 minutes. This allows the bread to set and prevents it from falling apart. After this initial cooling, carefully invert the bread onto the wire rack to cool completely. It’s crucial for the bread to be fully cool before adding the glaze.

Step 9: Prepare and Drizzle the Glaze. While the bread cools, combine the powdered sugar, milk, fresh lemon juice, and vanilla extract in a small bowl. Whisk vigorously until the mixture is smooth and free of lumps. If the glaze is too thick, add a tiny bit more milk; if too thin, add a little more powdered sugar. Once the bread is completely cool, drizzle the lemon glaze generously over the top. Allow the glaze to set for about 10-15 minutes before slicing and serving. This ensures the glaze hardens slightly, preventing a sticky mess.

Storage & Freezing Tips

This Lemon Blueberry Bread is delightful when fresh, but it also stores beautifully, making it perfect for meal prep or enjoying later!

• Room Temperature: Store any leftover bread in an airtight container or a resealable plastic bag at room temperature for up to 4-5 days. Ensure it’s completely cooled before storing to prevent condensation, which can make it soggy.
• Refrigeration: While not strictly necessary for short-term storage, you can refrigerate the bread in an airtight container for up to a week. This might make the bread slightly denser, so let it come to room temperature before serving for the best texture.
• Freezing for Longer Storage: This bread freezes exceptionally well!
  1. Ensure the bread is completely cool, and the glaze has fully set.
  2. Wrap the entire loaf or individual slices tightly in plastic wrap.
  3. Then, wrap it again in aluminum foil or place it inside a freezer-safe bag. This double layer helps prevent freezer burn.
  4. Freeze the bread for up to 3 months.
  5. When you’re ready to enjoy, thaw the bread in the refrigerator overnight, or at room temperature for a few hours. You can even warm individual slices slightly in the microwave or toaster oven for a “freshly baked” feel.

Expert Baking Tips for the Perfect Lemon Blueberry Bread

Achieving a perfectly moist and flavorful loaf is easy with these insider tips:

• Don’t Skip Tossing Berries in Flour: This is a crucial step! Coating the blueberries in a tablespoon of flour before adding them to the batter creates a barrier that prevents them from sinking to the bottom of the pan during baking. This ensures an even distribution of berries throughout your loaf.
• Measure Flour Properly (Spoon and Level Method): Improper flour measurement is a common baking mistake. Instead of scooping the flour directly from the bag (which can compact it and lead to too much flour), spoon the flour into your measuring cup and then level it off with the back of a knife. This method ensures accurate measurement and prevents a dense, dry bread.
• Fresh vs. Frozen Berries: While fresh blueberries are preferred for their vibrant pop and texture, especially when in season, you can absolutely use frozen berries. If using frozen, do not thaw them completely before tossing them in flour; this helps prevent the color from bleeding into the batter. Toss them frozen and add them quickly to the batter.
• Avoid Overmixing the Batter: Quick breads thrive on a light touch. Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, leading to a tough, chewy texture. Mix the wet and dry ingredients only until they are just combined, with a few small lumps or streaks of flour still visible.
• Bring Eggs and Yogurt to Room Temperature: Room temperature ingredients emulsify better, creating a smoother, more uniform batter. This results in a finer crumb and a more tender bread. Take eggs and yogurt out of the fridge about 30 minutes to an hour before you start baking.
• Don’t Rush the Cooling Process: It’s tempting to slice into a warm loaf, but resist! Cooling the bread completely in the pan for the initial 10-15 minutes, then fully on a wire rack, allows the internal structure to set. Slicing too early can cause the bread to crumble or become gummy.
• Adjust Glaze Consistency: The perfect glaze should be thick enough to cling to the bread but thin enough to drizzle. If your glaze is too thick, add more milk (a teaspoon at a time). If it’s too thin, whisk in more powdered sugar.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Lemon Blueberry Bread

We are genuinely thrilled for you to try this amazing Lemon Blueberry Bread recipe. It’s truly a labor of love that brings so much joy. Please do come back and leave a comment to let us know how your bread turned out – we love hearing from you!