1 cup softened unsalted butter

1 ½ cups white sugar

4 large eggs

zest of 1 lemon

1 tsp. vanilla extract

3 cups all-purpose flour

1 tsp. baking soda

1 cup buttermilk

Beat butter and sugar together until fluffy.

Add eggs , 1 at a time.

Add lemon zest and vanilla

Sift flour, salt and  baking soda

Add alternately with buttermilk

Scoop batter into prepared loaf pan or tube pan, well buttered and floured. Or lined with parchment

Bake at 350 degrees for 60 – 90 minutes or until skewer inserted in middle comes out clean.

Cool on rack for 15 minutes, and remove from pan. Allow to cool on rack.