Ina Garten’s Zingy Lemon Blueberry Bread Recipe for Summer Joy
Bursting with summer’s vibrant flavors, this lemon blueberry bread by Ina Garten captures the essence of sunny mornings and sweet indulgence.
Juicy blueberries dance through a tender, zesty crumb that sings with bright citrus notes.
Each slice promises a delightful balance of tangy and sweet that makes breakfast feel like a celebration.
The recipe blends simple ingredients into a masterpiece of home baking that will have everyone asking for seconds.
Soft, moist, and utterly irresistible, this bread turns an ordinary morning into something special.
Grab your mixing bowl and get ready to bake a loaf that will become your new favorite breakfast treat.
Tools You’ll Use for Ina Garten Lemon Blueberry Bread
Electric Mixer: Essential for blending wet ingredients smoothly and creating a consistent batter.
9×5 Inch Loaf Pan: Provides the perfect shape and size for baking the bread evenly.
Parchment Paper: Ensures easy removal and prevents sticking of the bread.
Medium Mixing Bowl: Used for combining dry ingredients and preparing the flour mixture.
Whisk: Perfect for mixing glaze ingredients and creating a smooth consistency.
Wire Rack: Helps cool the bread and allows excess glaze to drip off.
Baking Sheet: Catches any dripping glaze while cooling the bread.
Knife or Toothpick: Helps check if the bread is fully baked by testing the center.
Step-by-Step for Ina Garten Lemon Blueberry Bread
Sunny Lemon Blueberry Burst
Oven Warmup Fresh kitchen vibes start with preheating your oven to a cozy 350°F. Grab a loaf pan and line it with parchment paper for smooth bread release.
Flour Power Whisk together flour, a pinch of baking powder, and a touch of salt in a mixing bowl. This magical blend creates the perfect bread foundation.
Creamy Mixture Magic In an electric mixer, dance together melted butter, sweet sugar, farm-fresh eggs, vanilla essence, bright lemon zest, and tangy lemon juice until silky smooth.
Batter Harmony Gently fold flour mixture and milk into your creamy base, alternating softly until everything just comes together. No overmixing allowed!
Blueberry Dance Softly toss fresh blueberries with a whisper of flour to prevent sinking. Fold these juicy gems into your batter with love and care.
Baking Bliss Pour your dreamy batter into the prepared pan. Let the oven work its magic for 55-65 minutes until a knife comes out perfectly clean.
Finishing Touch Allow your bread to cool briefly, then drizzle with a zesty lemon glaze. Slice and enjoy your sunshine-inspired treat!
Flavor Variations for Ina Garten Lemon Blueberry Bread
Expert Tips for Perfect Results
Gently coat blueberries in flour before folding into batter to ensure they stay evenly distributed throughout the bread without dropping to the bottom.
Use fresh lemon zest for maximum flavor intensity, carefully scraping only the bright yellow outer layer to avoid bitter white pith underneath.
Wrap cooled bread in plastic wrap or store in an airtight container to keep the loaf soft and fresh for up to 3 days at room temperature.
Experiment with different berries like raspberries or blackberries for unique flavor variations, maintaining the same weight measurement as blueberries.
Freeze the unglazed bread wrapped tightly in plastic and foil for up to 2 months, thawing at room temperature and adding glaze just before serving.
Serve Ina Garten Lemon Blueberry Bread for Brunch
Pair with Morning Brew: Serve alongside a steaming cup of coffee or tea for a delightful breakfast experience that brightens your day.
Create Brunch Centerpiece: Slice the bread and arrange on a beautiful platter, garnished with fresh lemon wedges and a sprinkle of powdered sugar for an elegant brunch presentation.
Craft Dessert Delight: Transform the bread into a simple dessert by topping each slice with a dollop of whipped cream and a few fresh blueberries for an extra touch of sweetness.
Pack for Picnic Treat: Wrap individual slices in parchment paper for a perfect portable snack during outdoor adventures or weekend picnics.
Quick Recipe Overview
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Calories: 290 kcal
Servings: 8
Ingredients for Ina Garten Lemon Blueberry Bread
For Base Ingredients:
All-Purpose Flour: The foundational element that provides structure and soft texture to your bread, choosing unbleached flour ensures better flavor and more natural results.
Baking Powder: The magical rising agent that helps create a light, airy bread with perfect crumb and volume.
Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances the sweetness, using fine sea salt brings out subtle taste nuances.
For Wet and Flavor Ingredients:
Butter, Eggs, Sugar: The classic trio that creates rich, moist texture and golden color, selecting high-quality unsalted butter ensures clean, pure taste.
Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, aromatic depth that complements the fruity notes, pure vanilla provides more authentic flavor than artificial versions.
Lemon Zest, Lemon Juice: Bright citrus elements that inject vibrant, tangy character and fresh aromatics into the bread.
Milk: Provides moisture and softness, whole milk creates more luxurious texture compared to low-fat alternatives.
For Fruit and Finishing Ingredients:
Blueberries: Juicy bursts of sweetness that distribute delightful flavor throughout the bread, selecting plump, firm berries prevents sinking and maintains structural integrity.
Glaze Ingredients (Powdered Sugar, Lemon Juice): Creates a glossy, sweet-tart finishing touch that elevates the bread's visual and taste appeal.
Keep Ina Garten Lemon Blueberry Bread Fresh
Refrigerate and Refresh: Store this delightful lemon blueberry bread in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, maintaining its moisture and flavor.
Freeze for Future Enjoyment: Wrap the bread tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
Slice and Serve Smart: Cut the bread into individual portions before freezing for easy grab-and-go breakfast or snack options. Simply remove a slice and let it come to room temperature.
Keep Glaze Fresh: Apply the glaze just before serving to prevent sogginess. If storing glazed bread, place wax paper between layers to prevent sticking and maintain the bread's delicate texture.
Ina Garten’s lemon blueberry bread offers a delightful blend of citrusy zest and sweet berries. Bakers can enjoy this classic quick bread that promises a perfect balance of flavors and a moist, tender crumb.
Ingredients
Scale
1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
2 eggs
1 ½ cups (180 g) all-purpose flour
1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries
⅓ cup (75 g) unsalted butter, melted
½ cup (120 ml) milk
2 tbsps fresh lemon juice
½ tsp vanilla extract
2 tsps fresh grated lemon zest
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
1 tbsp all-purpose flour for coating blueberries
2 tbsps butter, melted
½ cup (60 g) powdered sugar
2 tbsps fresh lemon juice
½ tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
Preparation: Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9×5-inch loaf pan with parchment paper, lightly buttering the surface to prevent sticking.
Dry Ingredient Fusion: Sift flour, baking powder, and salt together in a medium bowl, creating a uniform dry mixture.
Wet Ingredient Harmonization: Using an electric mixer, combine melted butter, sugar, eggs, vanilla, lemon zest, and lemon juice until smooth and well-integrated.
Batter Composition: Alternate adding dry ingredients and milk to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined to maintain a tender crumb.
Blueberry Integration: Gently dust blueberries with flour to prevent sinking, then carefully fold into the batter, maintaining their delicate structure.
Baking Process: Pour batter into prepared pan, spreading evenly. Bake for 55-65 minutes, testing for doneness with a clean knife or toothpick inserted into the center.
Finishing Touches: Cool the bread in the pan for 30 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. Prepare the glaze by whisking ingredients until smooth, drizzling elegantly over the cooled loaf. Allow glaze to set completely before serving.
Notes
Prevent Blueberry Sinking: Coat berries with flour to distribute evenly throughout the bread and stop them from dropping to the bottom during baking.
Mixing Technique Matters: Alternate dry and wet ingredients carefully and mix just until combined to maintain a tender, light bread texture without developing tough gluten.
Temperature Control: Use room temperature eggs and milk to ensure smoother batter integration and more consistent baking results.
Doneness Check: Test bread with a clean toothpick or knife inserted in the center; no wet batter should remain when fully baked, indicating perfect moisture and cooking.
Pastry Arts and Dessert Innovation, French and European Baking Techniques, Food Writing and Blogging, Culinary Event Planning
Education
Le Cordon Bleu Paris
Diploma: Grand Diplôme®
Focus: Intensive training in classic French cuisine and pastry techniques, combining the Diplôme de Cuisine and Diplôme de Pâtisserie.
Isabella Rodriguez is the co-founder and pastry chef at wd-50.com. She studied at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris, where she earned the Grand Diplôme®, a top award in both cooking and baking. After working in fancy bakeries and as a personal pastry chef, Isabella now shares her love for desserts in an easy way for home bakers to enjoy.
At wd-50.com, Isabella creates recipes for cookies, cakes, tarts, and more, always with clear steps and helpful tips. She believes baking should be fun, not stressful, and she hopes her recipes bring joy to your kitchen and smiles to your table.
Isabella Rodriguez
Co-Founder & Content Creator
Expertise
Pastry Arts and Dessert Innovation, French and European Baking Techniques, Food Writing and Blogging, Culinary Event Planning
Education
Le Cordon Bleu Paris
Isabella Rodriguez is the co-founder and pastry chef at wd-50.com. She studied at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris, where she earned the Grand Diplôme®, a top award in both cooking and baking. After working in fancy bakeries and as a personal pastry chef, Isabella now shares her love for desserts in an easy way for home bakers to enjoy.
At wd-50.com, Isabella creates recipes for cookies, cakes, tarts, and more, always with clear steps and helpful tips. She believes baking should be fun, not stressful, and she hopes her recipes bring joy to your kitchen and smiles to your table.