Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups All-Purpose (Plain) Flour, sifted
- 1 ½ teaspoons Baking Powder
- ¼ teaspoon Salt
- ½ cup (1 stick) Unsalted Butter, softened
- ¾ cup Granulated Sugar Substitute (erythritol/monk fruit blend)
- 3 Large Eggs, lightly beaten
- ½ cup Full-Fat Greek Yoghurt
- Zest of 2 large lemons, finely grated
- 2 tablespoons Fresh Lemon Juice (for batter)
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract (optional)
- ¼ cup Water (for syrup)
- 2 tablespoons Granulated Sugar Substitute (for syrup)
- 2 tablespoons Fresh Lemon Juice (for syrup)
- ½ cup Powdered Sugar Substitute (for glaze)
- 2 – 3 teaspoons Fresh Lemon Juice (for glaze, adjust for consistency)
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 175°C (350°F). Grease and line the loaf pan (9x5 inches) with parchment paper, leaving an overhang 'sling' for easy removal.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: Sift the flour, baking powder, and salt into a medium bowl. Whisk lightly and set aside.
- Cream Butter and Sweetener: In the large bowl of your electric mixer, cream the softened butter and the granulated sugar substitute on medium speed until light and fluffy (3–5 minutes). Scrape down the bowl.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next.
- Incorporate Flavour: Mix in the Greek yoghurt, lemon zest, and vanilla extract until just combined.
- Alternate Mixing: Gently fold in the dry mixture in three additions, alternating with the 2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice. Begin and end with the dry ingredients. Stop mixing immediately once the last streaks of flour disappear to prevent a tough cake.
- Bake: Transfer the batter to the prepared loaf pan, smoothing the top. Bake for 45 to 50 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool: Remove the cake from the oven and let it sit in the pan for 10 minutes.
- Prepare Syrup: While the cake is cooling, combine all syrup ingredients (water, sweetener, lemon juice) in a small saucepan. Heat gently until the sweetener is completely dissolved.
- Soak the Cake: Use a skewer to poke small holes all over the warm cake.
- Drizzle: Slowly pour the warm syrup evenly over the top of the cake, allowing it to soak into the holes.
- Full Cool Down: Allow the cake to cool completely in the pan before removing it.
- Mix Glaze: Whisk together the powdered sugar substitute and 2 teaspoons of fresh lemon juice in a small bowl. Add the remaining lemon juice drop by drop until you reach a thick, pourable consistency.
- Glaze Application: Lift the fully cooled cake out of the pan using the parchment sling. Place it on a cooling rack over a sheet of parchment paper.
- Finish: Drizzle the glaze artfully over the top of the loaf. Allow the glaze to set for 10–15 minutes before slicing and serving.