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The Best Lemon Poppy Seed Bread Recipe

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3.9 from 6 reviews

This Best Lemon Poppy Seed Bread is a moist, zesty quick bread bursting with fresh lemon flavor and crunchy poppy seeds. Topped with a tangy lemon glaze, it’s perfect for breakfast, snack, or dessert. The bread is tender with a bright citrus aroma, easy to make, and baked to golden perfection in just over an hour.

Ingredients

Dry Ingredients

  • 1.5 cups All-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp Baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp Baking soda
  • 1/4 tsp Salt
  • 2 tbsp Poppy seeds

Wet Ingredients

  • Zest and juice of 1 lemon
  • 1/2 cup + 2 tbsp Sugar
  • 2 Eggs
  • 1/2 cup Oil
  • 1/4 tsp Lemon oil
  • 1/2 cup Milk

Lemon Glaze

  • 1/3 cup Powdered sugar
  • 1-2 tbsp Lemon juice

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prepare Pan: Set your oven to preheat at 180°C (350°F) and grease an 8 by 4 inch loaf pan to prevent sticking.
  2. Mix Dry Ingredients: Sift together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt into a bowl to ensure an even texture and leavening.
  3. Add Poppy Seeds: Whisk in the poppy seeds with the dry flour mixture and set aside.
  4. Make Lemon Sugar: Zest the lemon and rub the zest into the sugar to create flavorful lemon-infused sugar for the batter.
  5. Beat Eggs and Sugar: In a larger bowl, beat the eggs and lemon sugar until the mixture is light, creamy, and pale, which usually takes about 3 to 4 minutes.
  6. Add Oil and Lemon Juice: Pour in the oil and lemon juice, mixing thoroughly to combine with the egg mixture.
  7. Incorporate Dry Ingredients in Two Parts: Add half of the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients and mix well to combine.
  8. Add Milk: Pour in the milk and stir well, helping to loosen the batter for a tender crumb.
  9. Add Remaining Dry Ingredients: Add the rest of the dry ingredients and mix just until no dry streaks remain, avoiding overmixing.
  10. Bake the Bread: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf tin and bake at 180°C (350°F) for 35–40 minutes, or until a skewer inserted in the center comes out clean.
  11. Cool: Allow the bread to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before turning out onto a wire rack to cool fully.
  12. Prepare Lemon Glaze: Combine the powdered sugar and lemon juice until smooth and lump-free; the glaze should be thick yet pourable.
  13. Glaze the Bread: Drizzle the lemon glaze over the cooled bread and let it set for 5 minutes before slicing.
  14. Serve: Slice the lemon poppy seed bread and enjoy this flavorful treat perfect for any time of day.

Notes

  • Do not overmix the batter to keep the bread tender and light.
  • The lemon zest infused sugar enhances the lemon flavor throughout the bread.
  • Use fresh lemon juice and zest for the best citrus flavor.
  • Let the bread cool completely before glazing to avoid melting the glaze.
  • The bread can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.