Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour a 8x5-inch loaf pan.
In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to cream the sugar and shortening together; add the eggs and mix well.
Sift the dry ingredients together and add ½ to creamed mixture. Mix, next add the milk, then the rest of the dry ingredients. Stir in the lemon zest.
Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 1 hour (or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean). Remove the loaf from pan and cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Poke holes all over top of cake with a skewer.
GLAZE
In a small bowl, mix ¼ cup sugar and the lemon juice until sugar has dissolved (warm briefly in the microwave if the sugar is not dissolving).
Spoon over the top of the lemon bread and let it soak into the bread. Let the bread cool completely before serving.