The generous amounts of lemon zest and fresh lemon juice make these Mini Lemon Loaf Cakes with White Chocolate Chips tender and refreshingly tart!
You know what they say… “Third time’s the charm.”
How do they know?
They always know.
Who are they, anyway?
I’d like to meet them and congratulate them on getting it right.
Welp, this little beauty presented me with a couple of trial and error moments. You know what though? What you see here – well worth the wait! This recipe, inspired by Italian Cooking School: Desserts, a wonderful little book I picked up in Boston, is one I’ll definitely add to my repertoire of new favorite lemon desserts.
My first couple attempts ——-> dry, short, under-flavored, over-baked cakes. No fun at all.
I even brought a few to my parents for a little taste-testing. Everyone was very very very kind, scrambling to identify what was good; my dad even said he liked the crispy edges….hahaha…not the first thing you think of when describing tender pound cake (though I know he really meant it), but ultimately, my kids were, ahem, respectfully real.
And thank goodness they were, these sweet mini lemon loaf cakes are moist, fluffy, golden and delicious.
There’s just something about Me + Baking = Need for Patience.
But I get there…and this time was no exception. I got there…and so glad I did!
With their bright lemon flavor, hint of creamy white chocolate and a dusting of confectioners’ sugar – these are so worth sharing.
And who doesn’t love a mini dessert? Am I right?
Our own little personal cake.
Everyone deserves that.
And they deserve it on the first try! Though I’ll take it on the third!
Buon Appetito!
Print
Mini Lemon Loaf Cakes with White Chocolate Chips
- Yield: 8 mini cakes 1x
- Category: Dessert
Ingredients
- 1 cup softened butter, divided
- 2 cup all-purpose flour
- 3 tsp. baking powder
- 1 cup sugar
- 4 eggs
- 3/4 cup white chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
- grated zest from 1 lemon
- 1 Tbsp. lemon extract
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- confectioners’ sugar and fresh berries, to serve
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 F.
- Using 1 Tbsp. of butter, grease the sections of a mini loaf pan.
- Sift the flour and baking powder into a small bowl. Set aside.
- In a separate medium bowl, beat remaining butter and sugar together until light and creamy.
- Add eggs one at a time, mixing after each one.
- Add the white chocolate chips and gently stir.
- Stir in the flour, lemon juice, zest and extracts.
- Place an equal amount of batter in each section and bake for 14 – 16 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and let cool.
- Remove from the pan and dust with confectioners’ sugar.
- Serve with fresh berries.
Forgot to pin? Here you go!
Lemon cakes – irresistible. But I’m going to have to substitute something for the white chocolate chips as white chocolate never worked for me. Maybe blueberries?
Oh yes – blueberries and lemon marry beautifully – or – add nothing. They’re just as delightful with no mix-ins 🙂
I swear I commented on this, but I guess I just drooled all over it on social media and all that slobber got to my brain. What matters is I’m here now! 😉 Okay, GREAT question! Why is it that the third time is the charm??? Why can’t the first time just be the charm? I mean, think of all the time we would save! But, we probably wouldn’t appreciate things as much if they all came easily, and on the first attempt. I’m certainly glad you didn’t give up on this loaf, because it looks OUTSTANDING! You know I’m a huge fan of white chocolate (mostly because it’s the only chocolate I can eat, but also because it’s just THE BEST), so this loaf has my name written ALL over it! Can’t wait to make this! Pinned! Cheers, doll!
Yessss – so glad I made a recipe, including chocolate, that you can eat…and enjoy!! Thanks, pal! 🙂
I can relate! My family’s always brutally honest about anything I make. I had to leave behind my thin skin a long time ago. In the end, it’s really helpful to have that input. These little pound cakes are adorable, and I can see how tender and delicious they are. You did it!
Hahaha! They’ll hem and haw and be polite and I’m like come on guys (because of course I already know)! I don’t know what I’d do without their input…all of it! 🙂 Thanks, friend!
Love these little loaves and with white chocolate?! The perfect combo!! Pinned! Take care ?
Match made in dessert-heaven! Thanks, Stacey! Have a great day, my friend!
I adore lemon desserts, they are my favorite so these tiny cakes are definitely calling my name. They look gorgeous Annie 🙂
It’s hard to pass up a good lemon dessert….especially when it’s this cute! 😉 Thanks, my friend!
Oh my goodness, you’ve got my attention with these. I love lemon and white chocolate and these are a must try!
I think you’ll love them, Tammy Renea! Thank you, friend!
Recipe testing can be so frustrating, but (almost) always worth the effort! These are so adorable – I think lemon and white chocolate is the perfect combination. Thank goodness that “they” were right again!
Always worth the wait!! ‘They’ know the deal!! 😉 🙂
I feel like third time’s a charm is usually true with me for recipes, too… And I’m glad you kept trying with this one because it looks like it totally paid off!!
It really did pay off! And it’s a good thing! 😉 Thanks, friend!! 🙂
These are the cutest! Such a sweet idea of serving an individual mini cake to everyone in the family. Even though in our family we might have to give them all the Chris anyways – lemons and white chocolate are two of his favorite flavors, and the combination might cause him to lose his mind…a little bit..
Hehehehe – no better reason to lose our minds! I love anything mini! Especially when it tastes this good! Thanks, friend! 🙂
These are so cute I can hardly stand it! I’m glad you persevered through the not-so-good cakes because I definitely want to try these!
Why thank you, dear!!! I really appreciate that! 🙂
I love that you kept perfecting these, Annie – and finally nailed the recipe. They look so good – love lemony cakes. And white chocolate chip – yay!
I am too….this is a lovely little dessert! hehehehe! Thank you, my friend! Have a great day!! 🙂
Oh Annie… I love how you didn’t give up on these little lemon loafs! They are such perfect little cakes and I can imagine their lemony flavor. Paired with any berry… oh my goodness! Gorgeous work my dear xo
They really are a lovely treat! And the raspberries are a nice little complement! Thanks, my dear! xo
Lemon loaf perfection! Love the addition of white chocolate, too 🙂 Will be trying these soon.
Yep – there’s not a ton, just enough of the white chocolate to hint that it’s there. Thanks, my friend!
Love love lemon desserts and these mini loaf cakes are adorable and look so moist, fluffy and delicious! I’ve just baked carrot cake mini loaves, we might have been on the same wave length… Pinned!
Anytime you and I can be on the same wavelength is a good day! I love the idea of mini carrot cakes….OH MY!! Thanks, my friend! 🙂
Oh, I’ve definitely been there Annie! I can tell when Tom is trying to be nice when I know something I’ve made is a flop! He just keeps chewing and chewing and chewing. I’m so glad you got it on the third try because these look delicious. I love lemon desserts and personal size lemon desserts are even better! Save one for me! Have a great week!
Hahaha! That cracked me up – chewing and chewing and chewing….we’ve all been there! I think you’ll like this one, my friend! I’ll even save you two! 🙂
I think lemon is such a great addition to any dish whether it’s a veggie or dessert! Well, I do have to congratulate you on your persistence. From the look of the beautiful loaves, it was worth it. I am pinning — I want a loaf all to myself.
One of these, with a steaming cup of tea or coffee – that’s the way to treat yourself! Thanks, my friend!
I’d like to know who ‘they’ are too. They are pretty smart 😉 Glad you keep trying one this one cause they look so wonderfully moist and I just love that combination!! Like you said, your very own personal cake and you really can’t beat that, can ya? Haha! I chuckled when I read that your dad liked the ‘crispy edges’. Years and years ago when I first started cooking and wasn’t the best, hubby said that he loved my ‘lumpy gravy’ Bahaha! Too funny 😀 Pinning this beauty. Have a wonderful week, sweets. XOXO
When I took the first one out of the pan, I almost did a cheer! They came out better than I had hoped! hahaha! Perseverance always pays!! Thanks, my dear! XOXO
Baking is definitely a skill that requires patience! I had my fair share of kitchen fails this weekend working on a cake, so I totally understand where you’re coming from. What gorgeous loaves, Annie! I love the hint of white chocolate in here. And the light and zesty flavor sounds just wonderful for breakfast or dessert!
They are the perfect amount of lemon, if I do say so myself! 😉 So glad I stuck with it! And it’s nice to know I’m not alone! 🙂 Thanks, Gayle!!