Lemon Bread!

This time of year, when the temperatures start to come down enough to turn the oven back on, I get in the mood for baking again!  As I have said before, I love lemony desserts...pies, cookies, cakes and now this "Lemon Bread"!   Breads are nice for those who don't want a ton of sugar, but just want something with a little sweet taste.  This "Lemon Bread" has just a hint of lemon flavor and is not overly sweet!   It's perfect for breakfast or with a good cup of coffee or a tall glass of cold milk as an after school snack for the children!  

 Here is what you will need for this delicious bread:

1 cup sugar

1/2 cup butter or shortening

2 large eggs

1/2 cup milk

1  1/2 cups all purpose flour

1 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. lemon zest

1 tsp. lemon flavoring (if you don't have lemon flavoring, add another tsp. lemon zest)

1 tsp. vanilla

1/2 cup pecans, chopped

1 cup confectioner's sugar

3 Tbs. lemon juice

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a mixing bowl cream together the sugar and the butter or shortening.   Mix in the eggs and milk.

In a separate bowl, sift the flour, baking powder and salt together.   Add this to the wet ingredients along with the lemon zest, lemon flavoring and vanilla flavoring.  Beat just until well combined.  Fold in the pecans.

Spray a 9"x5"x3" loaf pan with nonstick baking spray.   Pour the batter in the pan and place in the preheated oven.   Bake for 55 minutes to an hour. 

Mix the confectioners sugar with the 3 Tbs. lemon juice and  pour over the bread  as soon as it's out of the oven and while it's still in the pan.   Allow the bread to cool in the pan for about 30 minutes. 

Remove the bread from the pan and slice. You might need to run a sharp knife around the edges of the loaf pan to loosen it.   This is good served slightly warm!

This is good served plain, with a little butter or even better, some whipped cream cheese!