Ingredients:
- 2 cups All-Purpose Flour (plus 1 Tbsp for berries)
- 2 tsp Baking Powder
- 1/2 tsp Salt (Fine Sea Salt)
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) Unsalted Butter, softened
- 1 1/4 cups Granulated Sugar
- 2 Large Eggs, room temperature
- 1 Tbsp Lemon Zest (from 2 lemons)
- 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
- 1/2 cup Buttermilk (full-fat is best)
- 1 1/2 cups Fresh or Frozen Blueberries
- 1 1/2 cups Confectioners' Sugar (Icing Sugar), sifted (for glaze)
- 3 Tbsp Buttermilk (for glaze)
- 1 tsp Lemon Juice (freshly squeezed, for glaze)
Instructions:
- Preparation: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 9x5-inch loaf pan with parchment paper, allowing an overhang for lifting the loaf.
- Coat the Berries: Toss the blueberries with 1 tablespoon of reserved flour in a small bowl. This prevents them from sinking during baking. In a separate bowl, sift together the remaining flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: Using an electric mixer, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together on medium speed until the mixture is visibly lighter in color and fluffy (about 3–5 minutes).
- Add Eggs and Flavor: Beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated. Scrape down the bowl, then mix in the lemon zest and vanilla extract.
- Mix Batter: Reduce the mixer speed to low. Gradually add the dry flour mixture and the buttermilk alternately, starting and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix only until just combined; do not overmix.
- Fold and Bake: Gently fold in the coated blueberries using a rubber spatula. Transfer the batter evenly into the prepared loaf pan. Bake for 55–65 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool: Let the loaf cool in the pan for 15 minutes before using the parchment sling to transfer it to a wire rack. Cool completely before glazing.
- Prepare Glaze: Sift the confectioners’ sugar into a small bowl. Whisk in the 3 tablespoons of buttermilk and 1 teaspoon of lemon juice until smooth. Adjust consistency if needed.
- Glaze and Serve: Drizzle or spread the glaze generously over the fully cool loaf. Allow the glaze to set for 15 minutes before slicing and serving.