Add Some Sweetness to a Tart Situation

I have a favorite recipe to share with you today ~ it’s my Lemon Loaf that I made a million times when I had my home baking business (not really, but it seemed like it!).  It was a much loved recipe by my customers and my family.  

The bread has a pound cake texture and it’s topped with a lemon/sugar glaze that gives it a crispy, tart crunch.  It’s wonderful!

I recently made this to take to my parents when I visited them in Kentucky.  It makes great hostess gift,  welcome home from vacation gift,  get-well wish, or “I love my family” gift!  Add some blueberries or strawberries on top and you turn it into the perfect summer dessert 

Here’s the recipe:

Lemon Loaf

First, be sure to line the loaf pan with waxed paper.  I always do this when I’m making any kind of sweet bread.  It’s no fun when you go to the effort to make something special and it sticks to the pan!  Whether the directions say it or not, just do your nerves the favor of lining it with waxed paper or parchment paper.

1/2 cup shortening
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
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1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp baking powder
Grated rind of 1 lemon
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1/2 cup milk
Juice of half a lemon
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Juice of half a lemon
1/4 cup granulated sugar

Cream the shortening and 1 cup sugar, then add the eggs, one at a time, beating well each time until the mixture is light and fluffy.  Sift the dry ingredients over this.  Stir in lemon rind.  Add the milk and juice of half a lemon.  Beat together until well blended.  Bake in a greased (and lined!) loaf pan in a 325 degree oven 50-60 minutes, until the top is golden brown and a knife inserted in center comes out clean.  Remove from the oven.  Mix the juice of half a lemon and 1/4 cup sugar and spread over the top of the hot loaf.  **Let cool 10 minutes, then remove from the pan.  Cool well before slicing.  **Because I line my pan, I’m able to cool it just  a few minutes, then remove it from the pan and set it on a baking rack with waxed paper under the rack.  Then I spread the glaze over the loaf.

This sweet/tart recipe reminds me of the need for sweetness in a difficult situation. Without the sugar in this cake, it would be a disaster!  It needs some sweetness!   When there is a relationship or person that is “lemony,” it’s up to us to add the sweetness.  When someone does exactly what pushes our patience to its limit, it’s up to us to add something sweet.  It’s not the time to throw lemons back at them, instead, if we give the soft answer, Scripture says it will “break the bone.”    To a thirsty enemy, we give a cup of cold water and heap coals of fire on their head.  Do something kind, say something gracious.  Can I remind you that often that “lemony” person/situation is right in our own home.  Guard your heart from throwing tart words and actions back at those to whom you should be showing the greatest love!

Don’t be the lemon in a situation – you add the sweetness!  Now go whip up this loaf for someone!  =)

With love,