Simple, quick bread loaves like this buttery vanilla one are perfect for snacking on all day – breakfast, between meals and for dessert.

Add the fresh fruit of your choice to make this a seasonally appropriate treat.

The cake is glazed with a simple powdered sugar icing that envelops the cake in lemon-scented sweetness and protects it from drying out. (Kate Wood / Wood and Spoon)

Vanilla Butter Loaf

Prep time: 15 minutes

Cook time: 45 minutes

Yield: 1 loaf

Ingredients

For the cake:

• ¾ cup (170 grams) unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 1 cup (200 grams) sugar
• 3 large eggs, at room temperature
• 1½ teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 teaspoons lemon zest
• 1½ cups (200 grams) all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¼ cup (60 grams) buttermilk, at room temperature

For the filling:

• ¼ cup (50 grams) brown sugar
• ½ teaspoon cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon cardamom

For the topping:

Add your favorite seasonal fruit. (Kate Wood / Wood and Spoon)

• 1 cup (115 grams) powdered sugar
• 1½ teaspoons lemon juice
• 2 teaspoons lemon zest
• 1½ cups sliced fruit (I used figs)
• 2 tablespoons sliced almonds

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and lightly grease and flour an 8-by-4-inch loaf pan.
2. In the bowl of a stand mixer, cream the butter and sugar together on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
3. Add the eggs one at a time, scrape the sides of the bowl and beat on low to combine.
4. Add the extract and zest. Scrape the sides of the bowl and add half of the flour, the baking powder and the salt. Stir on low until almost combined and then add the buttermilk.
5. Scrape the sides of the bowl and stir in the remaining flour on low speed. Do not overmix. Set aside.
6. In a small bowl, prepare the filling by combining the brown sugar, cinnamon and cardamom. Spread half of the batter into the prepared loaf pan and sprinkle the filling on top. Dollop the remaining batter on top of the brown sugar mixture and smooth the top.
7. Bake in the preheated oven for about 45-50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Remove the cake from the oven and allow to cool.
8. When cooled, whisk together the topping. Combine the powdered sugar, lemon juice and zest until you achieve your desired consistency. Add extra powdered sugar to thicken the glaze and extra lemon juice to thin it out. You can test the consistency on the side of a glass. Pour on top of the cake and garnish with fruit (I prefer figs or strawberries) and almonds. Serve immediately.

 Kate Wood’s recipes can be found on her Wood and Spoon blog and on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest.