Lemon Thyme Loaf Cake with Vanilla Bean Glaze

This lemon thyme loaf cake with vanilla bean glaze is a fun and fragrant twist on the classic lemon pound cake. With just 15 minutes of prep time, this loaf cake has a dense, buttery crumb punctuated by zingy lemon, herbal thyme, and cozy vanilla bean. Once baked, the loaf is drizzled with a thick, creamy glaze flecked with vanilla bean. Pair this lemon thyme cake with coffee or tea, or enjoy it as a dessert or snack.

If you love lemon pound cake, it might be time to try a fresh twist on this classic. Just a hint of thyme adds a gentle, fragrant note, making this cake feel extra special.

You still have the zesty lemon flavor, but now it’s balanced with the earthy, herbal notes of thyme. It really makes the lemon flavor pop! 

Have you ever thought of adding thyme to your baked goods? I have added it to a few savory recipes in the past, such as these Savory Gruyère & Thyme Scones and Cheddar Biscuits with Thyme and Sage Butter. I have also added it to this Blueberry Thyme Galette, and it was truly mind-blowing! Definitely have some fun adding thyme to your sweet and savory baked goods.

I love that this pound cake only requires about 15 minutes of prep. As a mom of two, I don’t have a ton of extra time to spend prepping a recipe, even though I love baking so much!

It feels good to create something thoughtful for my family, and they all enjoyed the thyme twist. Who can resist a buttery, tender slice of lemon pound cake? 

I also suggest trying out the other pound cakes I have shared on the blog, as we can never have too many pound cake recipes: Meyer Lemon Pound Cake, Fonio Pound Cake, Orange Pound Cake, Vanilla Pound Cake, and Raspberry Lemonade Pound Cake.

We have to talk about the icing. You know I love to add a little twist to my recipes where I can. One switch I love to make is to use vanilla bean instead of vanilla extract. Not only is this icing thick and creamy, and drips perfectly over the loaf, but it is speckled with little flecks of vanilla bean for the best flavor.

If you’d like to dial up the lemon flavor a bit more, add a little bit of extra lemon juice to the icing. Adding one to two tablespoons of lemon juice to the icing gives it an extra citrusy punch. Just use a splash of heavy cream to bring the icing back to the right consistency. I don’t recommend adding more lemon juice to the batter, as too much liquid can make the loaf overly wet.

If you’re like me and your fridge is filled with Greek yogurt, you can use it instead of plain yogurt. Greek yogurt will create a slightly thicker batter, but both work beautifully as long as you use full-fat yogurt, which helps keep the cake rich, tender, and flavorful.

This lemon thyme loaf pairs perfectly with a cup of coffee or tea, makes a lovely afternoon snack, and feels right at home on a dessert table. I hope your family loves it as much as mine did!

Ingredients

• granulated sugar
• powdered sugar
• fresh thyme leaves
• all-purpose flour
• sea salt
• baking powder
• unsalted butter
• large eggs
• fresh lemon juice and lemon zest
• vanilla extract & vanilla bean paste
• plain yogurt
• heavy cream

How to Make Lemon Pound Cake

Preheat the oven and grease a standard 1-pound loaf pan with nonstick cooking spray. 

Add the granulated sugar, lemon zest, and chopped thyme leaves to a small bowl. Rub the lemon zest and thyme into the sugar for about a minute until highly fragrant. Set aside for now.

Add the flour, salt, and baking powder to a medium bowl and whisk to combine and aerate the ingredients. Set aside.

Add the butter to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Beat on medium speed until creamy, about one to two minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl, then add the sugar. 

Beat on low, working up to medium speed for two to three minutes until creamy and more pale in color. 

With the mixer on low speed, add the eggs one at a time, mixing each completely before adding the next one and scraping down the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed. 

Once the last egg has been incorporated, scrape the bowl once more, then add the lemon juice and vanilla. 

Mix on medium-low until combined. The acid in the lemon juice will make the mixture look lumpy and split, but don’t panic! It will come together once the dry ingredients are added.

With the mixer running on low, add half of the dry ingredients, mixing until just combined. 

Scrape the bowl, then add the yogurt, mixing until just combined. Add the remaining flour and mix until just combined and the batter is uniform. The batter will be creamy and thick. 

Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread it into an even layer. Bake on the middle rack of the preheated oven for about an hour or until the top is golden brown and a tester inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs.  

Cool the cake on a wire rack for at least an hour before removing it from the pan. Cool completely on a wire rack before glazing.

When ready to glaze, add the powdered sugar, salt, vanilla bean paste, and a few tablespoons of heavy cream to a small bowl. 

Whisk vigorously until you have a thick but pourable consistency. If it’s too thick, add a splash or two more heavy cream until you reach the right consistency. 

Pour the glaze over the top of the cooled cake. For neat slices, wait until the glaze sets, then slice. Or, slice and serve right away!

How to Store

Homemade pound cake can be stored at room temperature for up to four days when wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or kept in an airtight container. Keeping pound cake stored in the fridge can dry it out, so it’s best to avoid it unless necessary. 

Pound cake can also be stored in the freezer for up to three months. Make sure to wrap the pound cake tightly in plastic wrap. Thaw slices of pound cake at room temperature before serving.

More Lemon Recipes

• Lemon Blondies
• Poppyseed Lemon Baked Donuts
• Lemon Sugar Cookies
• No Bake Lemon Raspberry Cheesecake
• Lemon Raspberry Bundt Cake

What do you think of this tasty lemon pound cake recipe? What would you serve with a slice of this cake? Let me know in the comment section below. 

If you share across social media, make sure to tag #aclassictwist, so I can see your beautiful creation come to life!

Happy baking, friends!

Lemon Thyme Loaf Cake Recipe