Easy & Zesty Citrus Quick Bread: Your Go-To Recipe for a Taste of Sunshine

Imagine a slice of pure sunshine, baked into a delightful loaf that’s soft, incredibly moist, and bursting with vibrant flavor. This is exactly what our homemade citrus quick bread delivers. It’s a delightful escape to summer, no matter the season, and it manages to be wonderfully rich without feeling heavy. The secret lies in a generous blend of citrus extracts and freshly grated peel, creating an aromatic masterpiece that will instantly brighten your day.

Embracing the Zest: A Winter Dream of Summer Flavors

While I’ll always be a chocolate lover at heart, there’s something about the chill of winter, the first snowfall, and the frozen lake that shifts my cravings. Suddenly, I find myself longing for all things citrus, continuously daydreaming of warm summer days. Can you blame me? Just like my husband playfully jokes that I wasn’t born to be frugal, I can confidently say I wasn’t born for the cold!

And so, when the temperatures drop, I embark on a baking spree, making *all the things* citrus-flavored. This time of year, I especially adore the elusive Meyer lemons and vibrant blood oranges, perhaps because their season is so fleeting. But I also have a soft spot for a perfectly pink Florida grapefruit. These bright, tangy fruits offer a much-needed burst of sunshine during the colder months, transforming my kitchen into a fragrant, summery oasis.

The Ultimate Citrus Symphony: Why a Blend is Best

When it came to developing this quick bread recipe, I faced a delightful dilemma: which citrus fruit to choose? Lemon? Orange? Grapefruit? Lime? Each offers its unique charm. Instead of picking just one, I decided to embrace them all! This mixed citrus quick bread features a harmonious blend of lemon, lime, orange, and grapefruit, creating an explosion of flavor that is truly unparalleled. The combination ensures a complex and well-rounded taste, where the sharp zest of lemon and lime meets the sweet notes of orange and the subtle bitterness of grapefruit. It’s a flavor profile that keeps you coming back for more, providing a multi-layered citrus experience in every bite.

What Makes This Citrus Quick Bread So Special?

Beyond its incredible flavor, this easy citrus bread stands out for several reasons:

Effortlessly Quick, Remarkably Delicious

As its name suggests, this is a “quick bread,” meaning it doesn’t require yeast or lengthy proofing times. You can mix the batter in minutes! While it does take about an hour to bake, this is standard for most quick breads and well worth the wait. The aroma that fills your kitchen while it bakes is a reward in itself.

Perfect Texture: Soft, Moist, and Never Heavy

The texture of this homemade citrus loaf is simply divine – it’s wonderfully soft, tender, and incredibly moist without being dense or heavy. It has that delightful “summery” lightness that makes it perfect for breakfast, brunch, or an afternoon treat.

All-Butter Goodness for a Superior Loaf

Unlike some quick bread recipes that rely on oil, our citrus bread is made with all butter. This is a crucial detail! Using butter not only imparts a rich, superior flavor but also contributes to that perfect moist crumb without making the bread oily, a common issue I’ve found in other recipes (yes, Starbucks lemon bread, I’m looking at you!). The result is a beautifully textured loaf that melts in your mouth.

Doubling Down on Citrus: Extracts, Zest, and Glaze

We’ve layered the citrus flavor to ensure maximum impact. The bread itself is infused with a powerful punch from both lemon and orange extracts, combined with three generous tablespoons of grated citrus peel. For my taste, this combination offers the perfect balance of bright, tangy, and sweet citrus notes. If you prefer a pure lemon quick bread or orange quick bread, you can easily adjust the extracts and zest accordingly. However, I truly believe the blend of lemon, orange, grapefruit, and lime brings an unparalleled depth and complexity, making this quick bread truly perfect.

And let’s not forget the glaze! A simple, zesty icing drizzled over the cooled loaf provides an additional burst of citrus, sealing in moisture and adding a beautiful finish. It’s the crowning touch that elevates this simple loaf to something truly extraordinary.

Yield: one 8″ loaf

Citrus Quick Bread Recipe

Prep Time
10 minutes

Cook Time
1 hour

Ingredients

1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
1 cup sugar
2 teaspoons lemon extract
2 teaspoons orange extract
3 tablespoons grated citrus peel (from lemon, orange, lime, grapefruit)
2 eggs, room temperature
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup milk

For the Icing:

1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
Few drops of orange or lemon juice (or a mix)

Instructions

Heat the oven to 350F (175C). Grease an 8-inch loaf pan with butter or baking spray. Set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, add the softened butter and sugar. Using a stand mixer with the paddle attachment (or an electric hand mixer), beat on low speed until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
Stir in the lemon extract, orange extract, and the grated citrus peel. Mix until well combined and fragrant.
Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition until fully incorporated. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt.
Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, alternating with the milk. Begin and end with the flour mixture (e.g., 1/3 flour, 1/2 milk, 1/3 flour, 1/2 milk, 1/3 flour).
Stir until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to a tough quick bread.
Pour the batter evenly into the prepared loaf pan. Bake in the preheated oven for 55 minutes to 1 hour, or until a wooden skewer or toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean.
Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool in the pan for 10-15 minutes before carefully inverting it onto a wire rack.
Allow the quick bread to cool completely on the wire rack before applying the icing.
To make the icing, place the powdered sugar in a small bowl. Gradually add a few drops of orange or lemon juice (or a combination) until you achieve a smooth, pourable icing consistency.
Once the loaf is completely cool, spoon or drizzle the citrus icing evenly over the top.
For an extra touch of elegance and flavor, decorate with fresh citrus slices – this step is optional but highly recommended!

Did you make this recipe?

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Tips for Baking the Perfect Citrus Quick Bread

Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure your butter and eggs are at room temperature. This helps them emulsify better with other ingredients, resulting in a smoother batter and a more tender, even crumb.
Don’t Overmix: Mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients only until just combined. Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, which can lead to a tough and dense quick bread. A few lumps are perfectly fine!
Zest Wisely: When zesting your citrus, try to get only the colored outer layer and avoid the white pith underneath, which can be bitter.
Check for Doneness: Baking times can vary depending on your oven. Always use the toothpick test – insert it into the center of the loaf, and if it comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs attached, your bread is ready.
Cool Completely Before Icing: For the best results and a smooth, non-melted glaze, make sure your quick bread is entirely cool before drizzling the icing.

Variations to Try

Single Citrus Focus: If you prefer a dominant flavor, use all lemon extract and lemon zest for a classic lemon quick bread, or all orange for a vibrant orange loaf.
Additions: Fold in 1/2 cup of poppy seeds for a delightful crunch and classic flavor combination, or a handful of dried cranberries for a touch of tartness. Chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts also work beautifully.
Herb Infusion: For a sophisticated twist, finely chop a tablespoon of fresh rosemary and add it to the batter. Rosemary and citrus are a match made in heaven!
Cream Cheese Glaze: For an even richer topping, consider a cream cheese glaze instead of the simple powdered sugar icing.

Serving and Storage Suggestions

This versatile citrus quick bread is perfect for a variety of occasions. Serve it alongside your morning coffee or tea, as a bright addition to brunch, a delightful afternoon snack, or even a light dessert after dinner. It pairs wonderfully with fresh berries or a dollop of whipped cream.

To store your homemade quick bread, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil, or place it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days. For longer storage, you can freeze the unwrapped loaf for up to 2-3 months. Thaw at room temperature and glaze after thawing if you froze it unglazed.

If you enjoyed this vibrant citrus quick bread and are eager for more zesty delights, you may also like some of these other fantastic recipes:

Double Lemon Cheesecake Bars – Smooth, creamy, and bursting with intense citrus flavor, these lemon cheesecake bars are topped with a thin layer of zesty lemon glaze and nestled on a simple yet satisfying graham cracker crust. A perfect dessert for lemon lovers!

Chocolate and Orange Ricotta Cookies – Experience the ultimate blend of flavors with these light and flavorful soft cookies. Featuring a delightful cake-like texture, these chocolate and orange ricotta cookies are an undeniable crowd-pleaser, perfect for any gathering.

Ricotta Lime Tart – Indulge in a dessert that combines creamy ricotta with the delightful crunch of almonds and the invigorating tang of refreshing lime. This light and elegant tart is an ideal choice for sophisticated spring and summer dinner parties.

Whether you’re battling winter blues or simply craving a taste of summer, this easy & zesty citrus quick bread is the perfect answer. Its incredible flavor, moist texture, and simple preparation make it a recipe you’ll want to revisit again and again. Happy baking!