Iced Lemon Bread

Many of you just finished digging out from one snow storm only to have to turn around and start digging out from yet another. Yikes. Perhaps this little lemon loaf will bring some Spring cheer to you.

Make a loaf, grab a cup of coffee, and dream of all things sunny and warm and lemony.

One more perk, a slice of this isn't going to kill your waist as you prepare for Spring and Summer.

Iced Lemon Bread

Serves 12

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/3 cups granulated sugar, divided
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup sour cream (pre the usual, I substituted non-fat plain Greek yogurt)
3 eggs
2 Tbsp grated lemon zest
1 Tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
2 Tbsp water
1 tsp lemon extract, divided
1 cup powdered sugar
1 1/2 Tbsp skim milk

Preheat oven to 350.
Grease and flour a 9x5 loaf pan.
In a medium bowl, stir together flour, 1 cup sugar, baking powder and salt. Set aside.
In a small bowl, whisk together sour cream (Greek yogurt), eggs, lemon zest, and lemon juice.
Pour sour cream (Greek yogurt) mixture into flour mixture, stirring until combined.
Pour batter into prepared loaf pan; bake 50-60 minutes, or until golden and thin skewer inserted in center of loaf comes out clean.
Meanwhile, in a small sauce pan, stir together remaining 1/3 cup sugar, water, and 1/2 tsp lemon extract.
Cook and stir over medium heat until sugar dissolved and syrup is clear. Set aside.
Cool bread in pan 10 minutes.
Loosen edges of loaf with knife, invert loaf onto cooling rack to remove bread and turn right-side up on rack.
With thin skewer poke holes in bread; slowly pour syrup over bread and allow it to soak in.
Cook completely.
For icing, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and remaining 1/2 tsp lemon extract. Pour over bread, allowing it to run down sides.

Don't let all the little steps scare you away from this one. I was pleasantly surprised at how easy this was to put together. And, even with the little steps it was SO worth it.

Because Scott only eats chocolate chip baked goods I had to take half this loaf to my neighbors. Even though this recipe has been healthified I couldn't let the bread sit there and beg for me to eat the entire thing. With lemon things I have no will-power. To the neighbors it went!

Enjoy!

Nutrition content (for one 1/3-inch slice):
Calories - 240
Fat - 4.5 grams
Sodium - 220mg
Carbs - 46g
Fiber - 0g
Protein - 4g
This info is for the original recipe, I didn't make changes for the Greek yogurt substitute.

Source: Hy-Vee.com