Lemon Thyme Olive Oil Loaf

Sometimes, you shouldn’t mess with a good thing. I’m always a cheerleader for healthier baking, with tips and tricks to make your favourite baked goods just a little healthier. From switching all purpose flour, to using less sugar, there are a ton of ways to make your sweets a little better for you. But equally as important, I love a good bake. And somethings shouldn’t be messed around with. Bring on the Lemon Thyme Olive Oil Loaf – with a bright yellow crumb, studded with fresh thyme. No whole wheat flour here, no coconut sugar, none of that. I want the refined ones that give this loaf its stunning colour.

Oh, and let’s smother it with a sugary glaze.

I think a lesson I’ve learned from years of being a dietitian, chef, and human being, is that sometimes emotional eating is OKAY. A lot of eating we do is emotional – from birthday cakes, to cry-fest pints of ice cream, or my grandma’s kreplach that I made after she passed away. Eating is meant to be emotional at times. And this loaf gives me that much-needed comforting emotion. It should seriously be sold at an upscale bakery and will remind you of summer days, lemonade, and being a kid.

This lemon thyme olive oil loaf makes me feel like I’m treating my loved ones to something special. It’s made entirely with love, no fancy ingredients needed.

So go ahead, ditch the mentality that EVERYTHING on your plate needs to be ______-free, and enjoy this gluten-filled, white sugar sweetened loaf.

Or, if you are looking for a healthy baked good, I hear you, but at least have some fun with my Dairy Free Cheesecake Stuffed Banana Bread.

#lemonloaf #baking #easterbaking #lemon #oliveoilloaf #lemoncake #dessertrecipe

Lemon Thyme Olive Oil Loaf

Prep Time:20 mins
Cook Time: 35 mins
Servings: 10 slices

A subtly sweet lemon loaf with fragrant olive oil flavour. Paired with a sweet (optional) glaze, this loaf can go from fancy tea to a snack on the go.

Ingredients

• 2 cups all purpose flour (300 g)
• ½ cups  sugar (100 g)
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon sea salt
• 3 eggs
• Zest of 3 lemons
• Juice of 2 lemons
• 3/4 cup olive oil (200ml)
• 1/2 cup greek yogurt
• 1 teaspoon fresh thyme, chopped

Glaze:

• Juice of 2 lemons
• 2 tablespoons water
• ¼ cup icing sugar

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 176C (350F). Line a loaf pan with oil and baking paper.
2. Combine flour, sugar, baking powder and salt.
3. In a small bowl, whisk together eggs, lemon juice, zest, olive oil, greek yogurt and thyme.
4. Add wet ingredients to dry. Mix to combine.
5. Transfer to loaf pan.
6. Bake for 30-40 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
7. Make the glaze: combine all ingredients, store in the fridge, drizzle over top before serving.

#lemon #oliveoil