Ultimate Lemon Poppy Seed Bread: Your New Favorite Quick Bread Recipe
Lemon Poppy Seed Bread – a simple quick bread with tons of vibrant lemon flavor and a light, sweet lemon glaze. A delicious snack with a cup of coffee or an easy, delightful breakfast treat.
There’s something truly special about the bright, zesty flavor of lemons, especially when paired with the subtle crunch of poppy seeds in a perfectly baked quick bread. This **Lemon Poppy Seed Bread** recipe offers an irresistible combination of vibrant citrus and delicate texture, making it a delightful treat for any time of day. Whether you’re seeking a delicious snack to enjoy with your morning coffee, a comforting breakfast indulgence, or an easy light dessert, this simple quick bread with its light lemon glaze is sure to become a household favorite. It’s incredibly easy to make, delivering tons of fresh lemon flavor in every moist, tender slice, and is a fantastic way to brighten up your winter and spring baking!
Why You’ll Adore This Easy Lemon Poppy Seed Bread
This isn’t just another quick bread recipe; it’s a culinary experience designed for ease, flavor, and versatility. Here’s why this Lemon Poppy Seed Bread will quickly become a cherished recipe in your collection:
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Effortlessly Simple to Prepare
Forget complicated baking techniques or extensive prep work. This quick bread recipe is designed for maximum simplicity, requiring just a bowl and a spatula. There’s no need for creaming butter, meticulously mashing fruit, or using specialized equipment. With very simple ingredients and straightforward steps, you can have this delightful bread ready in no time, making it perfect for busy bakers, beginners, or anyone looking for a foolproof path to delicious homemade goodness.
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Bursting with Perfectly Balanced Lemon Flavor
Our recipe achieves an exquisite balance of citrus by incorporating fresh lemon juice, aromatic lemon zest, and a hint of lemon extract. This trifecta ensures a robust, authentic lemon taste that is wonderfully bright and refreshing, without being overwhelmingly tart. Each bite delivers a noticeable, yet harmonious, lemon essence that will awaken your palate and leave you craving more. It’s the ideal amount of lemon to let you know exactly what you’re enjoying, without overpowering your senses.
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A Versatile Treat for Any Occasion
Unlike overly sweet desserts, this quick bread strikes a lovely balance, making it wonderfully versatile for various moments throughout your day. The bread itself isn’t intensely sweet, allowing the natural lemon notes to truly shine. While the optional light lemon glaze adds a touch of sweetness and a beautiful finish, the bread remains a fantastic companion for a cup of coffee or tea. It’s equally at home as a quick, satisfying breakfast on a busy morning, a delightful afternoon snack, or even a light dessert after a meal.
The Irresistible Charm of Lemons and Poppy Seeds
Lemons are a culinary powerhouse, celebrated for their tangy flavor, uplifting aroma, and vibrant color. They bring a refreshing brightness to both sweet and savory dishes, transforming simple ingredients into something extraordinary. In this quick bread, fresh lemon juice and zest infuse the batter with natural citrus oils, creating a deeply fragrant and flavorful loaf. The bright acidity of the lemon cuts through the richness of the bread, creating a refreshing contrast.
The addition of poppy seeds is not just for visual appeal; they introduce a subtle, nutty undertone and a delightful textural contrast. Their tiny, delicate crunch complements the soft, moist crumb of the bread, adding an extra layer of enjoyment to every bite. This classic pairing is a testament to how simple ingredients can create profound flavor experiences that are both comforting and exhilarating.
Gather Your Essential Ingredients
Crafting this delectable Lemon Poppy Seed Bread requires a straightforward list of common pantry staples. Each ingredient plays a crucial role in achieving the perfect texture and flavor. Be sure to scroll to the bottom of the post for the FULL PRINTABLE recipe card with exact measurements.
- All-Purpose Flour: This forms the primary structure of our quick bread. Ensure it’s spooned into your measuring cup and then leveled off with a straight edge to prevent a dense or overly dry loaf.
- Baking Powder: Our essential leavening agent, responsible for the bread’s delightful rise and tender crumb. Always check the expiry date for optimal results, as old baking powder can result in a flat loaf.
- Salt: A small but mighty ingredient that balances the sweetness and enhances all the other flavors in the bread, making the lemon taste even brighter.
- Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the bread, contributing to its moist texture and making it a delicious treat without being overly sugary, especially if you opt for the glaze.
- Poppy Seeds: These tiny seeds are characteristic of this bread, adding a unique visual appeal and a gentle, slightly nutty crunch that makes each bite interesting. If you’re not a fan or don’t have them, you can easily omit them for a simple yet equally delicious lemon bread.
- Eggs: Large eggs act as a crucial binder, contributing to the structure, richness, and overall moisture of the bread. Using room temperature eggs can lead to a more evenly emulsified batter.
- Vegetable Oil: Provides essential moisture to the quick bread, resulting in a wonderfully tender and soft crumb that stays fresh longer than many butter-based recipes. You can also use other neutral oils like canola.
- Milk (Any Kind): Adds additional moisture and contributes to the bread’s tender and rich texture. Feel free to use whole milk, 2% milk, or even a non-dairy alternative like almond or soy milk based on your preference.
- Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed lemon juice is paramount for the bright, tangy flavor in both the bread batter and the light glaze. Avoid bottled lemon juice if possible for the best, most authentic taste.
- Lemon Zest: Packed with concentrated aromatic oils, lemon zest offers an intense burst of lemon flavor without adding extra liquid. Always zest your lemons *before* juicing them to make the process easier and more efficient.
- Lemon Extract: A fantastic ingredient for intensifying the lemon flavor, ensuring it truly shines through the baked bread and isn’t lost during cooking. It complements the fresh lemon beautifully.
- Powdered Sugar (for Glaze): Also known as confectioners’ sugar, this finely ground sugar forms the base of our simple, drizzle-able glaze, providing a sweet and slightly tangy finish to the loaf.
Step-by-Step Guide: How To Make Lemon Poppy Seed Bread
Making this quick bread is a straightforward process, perfect for bakers of all skill levels. Follow these simple steps to achieve a beautifully golden, moist, and flavorful loaf that will impress everyone.
- Prepare Your Oven and Pan: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a standard loaf pan (approximately 9×5 inches) or line it with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the longer sides. This parchment paper sling makes it incredibly easy to lift the baked bread out of the pan.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, and poppy seeds. Whisking ensures these dry ingredients are thoroughly combined and evenly distributed, which is crucial for a consistent rise and texture in the final bread.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a separate, larger bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar, milk, large eggs, vegetable oil, fresh lemon juice, lemon extract, and fragrant lemon zest. Continue whisking until these ingredients are really well combined and the sugar has largely dissolved, creating a cohesive and flavorful liquid mixture.
- Gently Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the flour mixture from the small bowl to the wet ingredients in the larger bowl. Using a spatula or wooden spoon, mix until everything is just combined. The key here is to *be careful not to overmix*. Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, which can lead to a tough, dry bread. A few small lumps in the batter are perfectly fine; it’s better to slightly undermix than to overmix.
- Bake to Golden Perfection: Pour the prepared batter evenly into your greased or lined loaf pan. Place it in the preheated oven and bake for about 50-55 minutes. To test for doneness, insert a wooden skewer, toothpick, or thin knife into the center of the loaf. It should come out mostly clean, with a few moist crumbs attached, but no wet batter. If it comes out completely clean, it might be slightly overbaked, while wet batter indicates it needs more time in the oven.
- Cooling Process: Once baked, remove the loaf pan from the oven and let the bread cool in the pan for about 5-10 minutes. This allows the bread to set and firm up before handling. After this initial cooling, carefully lift the bread out using the parchment paper overhang (or invert it if not using parchment) and transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely. Cooling on a wire rack ensures air circulation around the entire loaf, preventing the bottom from becoming soggy.
- Prepare and Apply the Glaze: While the bread is cooling, prepare the vibrant lemon glaze. In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and the remaining fresh lemon juice until you achieve a smooth, pourable, and drizzle-able consistency. If the glaze is too thick, add a tiny bit more lemon juice (half a teaspoon at a time); if it’s too thin, add a little more powdered sugar until it reaches the desired consistency. The perfect glaze should slowly drip off your whisk.
- Glaze and Serve: Once the bread is entirely cool (this is important, as glazing a warm loaf will cause the glaze to melt and run off instead of setting beautifully), evenly pour the lemon glaze over the top of the bread. Allow the glaze a few minutes to set before slicing and serving. Enjoy your homemade, perfectly zesty Lemon Poppy Seed Bread!
Expert Tips for the Best Lemon Poppy Seed Bread
Achieving bakery-quality Lemon Poppy Seed Bread at home is simpler than you might think with these insider tips:
- Do Not Overmix the Batter: This is the golden rule for all quick breads. Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, which can make your bread tough, dense, and chewy instead of tender and moist. Mix until just combined – a few lumps are absolutely fine!
- Fresh Lemon Zest is Crucial: The majority of the intense lemon flavor and vibrant aroma comes from the zest, which contains concentrated essential oils. Always zest your lemons *before* juicing them, and use a fine grater or microplane for the best results, avoiding the bitter white pith.
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure your eggs and milk are at room temperature. This helps them blend more smoothly and evenly into the batter, creating a more uniform mixture and a better overall texture in the final baked product.
- Measure Flour Correctly: To avoid a dry, dense loaf, use the “spoon and level” method for measuring flour. Lightly spoon flour into your measuring cup until it overflows, then level it off with a straight edge. Do not pack the flour down or scoop directly from the bag.
- Test for Doneness Accurately: While the suggested baking time is a good guide, oven temperatures can vary. The toothpick test (inserting into the center of the loaf) is key. You want it to come out with moist crumbs, not wet batter, and certainly not completely dry.
- Cool Completely Before Glazing: Patience is a virtue when it comes to glazing! Glazing a warm loaf will cause the glaze to melt into the bread rather than forming a beautiful, slightly crisp topping. Let the bread cool entirely on a wire rack before applying the glaze.
Delicious Variations to Explore
While the classic Lemon Poppy Seed Bread is perfect as is, feel free to experiment with these simple variations to tailor it to your taste or use up ingredients you have on hand:
- Blueberry Lemon Poppy Seed Bread: Fold in 1/2 to 1 cup of fresh or frozen blueberries (tossed in a tablespoon of flour to prevent sinking) with the dry ingredients for an extra burst of fruitiness and color.
- Almond Poppy Seed Bread: For a different nutty flavor profile, replace the lemon extract with almond extract. You can also add a tablespoon or two of finely ground almonds to the dry ingredients for more depth.
- Yogurt or Sour Cream Addition: For an even moister crumb and a subtle tang, substitute 1/2 cup of the milk with plain Greek yogurt or sour cream. This adds a lovely richness and tenderizes the bread further.
- Cream Cheese Swirl: For a decadent surprise, prepare a simple cream cheese mixture (softened cream cheese, a little powdered sugar, and a splash of vanilla extract) and gently swirl it through the batter just before baking.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Absolutely! The poppy seeds are primarily for texture and visual appeal, and their omission will not significantly alter the core recipe. You’ll simply have a wonderful, zesty lemon bread, which is still incredibly delicious. If you prefer to skip them, just proceed with the recipe as written, leaving out the poppy seeds from the dry ingredient mix. The lemon flavor will still shine beautifully.
Yes, this quick bread freezes beautifully, making it perfect for meal prep or enjoying a slice whenever a craving strikes. You have a couple of excellent options for freezing:
You can bake the loaf, allow it to cool *completely*, and then wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, followed by a layer of aluminum foil. Place it in a freezer-safe bag or container. It will keep well for 3-4 months. Ideally, you should apply the glaze after thawing, as the glaze can release some moisture when thawing, affecting its appearance slightly.
Alternatively, you can freeze individual slices for ultimate convenience. Top the cooled bread with the glaze, then slice it. Arrange the slices in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Once frozen, transfer the slices to an airtight freezer bag or container, separated by parchment paper if desired, to prevent sticking. This way, you can easily take out just one slice at a time to enjoy. Thaw slices at room temperature or gently warm them in the microwave for a few seconds.
When stored properly, your homemade Lemon Poppy Seed Bread can last for several days. At room temperature, tightly wrapped in plastic wrap or stored in an airtight container, it will stay fresh for about 5-7 days. If you store it in the refrigerator, it can last a couple of days longer, up to 7-10 days. Always ensure it’s well-wrapped to prevent it from drying out. As mentioned, it also freezes exceptionally well for 3-4 months.
Of course! The lemon glaze adds an extra layer of sweetness and a beautiful visual finish, but it is entirely optional. The bread itself is wonderfully moist and flavorful enough to be enjoyed plain. If you prefer a less sweet option or are watching your sugar intake, feel free to omit the glaze altogether. It will still be a delicious lemon quick bread.
A dry or tough quick bread is most commonly caused by overmixing the batter or overbaking. When you overmix, you develop the gluten in the flour, leading to a chewy, dense texture. Bake until a tester comes out with only moist crumbs, not wet batter, and avoid baking longer than necessary. Proper flour measurement (spoon and level) and using room temperature ingredients also help ensure a tender crumb.
Fresh, ripe lemons are always best. Eureka and Lisbon varieties are commonly available and excellent for both juice and zest. Look for lemons that are firm, brightly colored, and feel heavy for their size, as these tend to be juicier. Organic lemons are also a good choice if you’re using a lot of zest, as you won’t have to worry about pesticides on the peel.
How To Serve Your Lemon Poppy Seed Bread
This versatile Lemon Poppy Seed Bread is far from a super-sweet dessert, making it an ideal choice for various occasions. It pairs beautifully with a warm beverage, making it a perfect snack alongside your morning coffee or afternoon tea. For a light yet satisfying breakfast, consider serving a slice with a fresh berry fruit salad or a refreshing glass of Orange Julius.
I personally like it served just slightly warm. A quick zap in the microwave for about 20 seconds for a slice can enhance its aroma and moist texture, truly bringing out the lemon notes. However, it’s equally delicious at room temperature. Feel free to experiment and decide what temperature you like it best!
More Irresistible Quick Bread Recipes
If you loved this Lemon Poppy Seed Bread, you’ll definitely want to explore these other fantastic quick bread recipes. They’re all easy to make and packed with flavor, perfect for any time of year:
- Peanut Butter Banana Bread
- Chocolate Zucchini Bread
- Strawberry Bread
- Pumpkin Bread
- Apple Pie Bread
- Blueberry Banana Bread
- Coconut Lime Bread
- Chocolate Oatmeal Banana Bread
- Chocolate Chip Cinnamon Bread
Lemon Poppy Seed Bread
By: Erin Sellin
Lemon Poppy Seed Bread – a simple quick bread with tons of lemon flavor and a light lemon glaze. A delicious snack with a cup of coffee or an easy breakfast treat.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 10
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Ingredients
Lemon Poppy Seed Bread
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 tablespoons poppy seeds
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 whole large eggs
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil
- 1 cup milk, any kind
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon extract
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
Lemon Glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350° F (175°C). Grease or line a loaf pan with parchment paper.
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In a small bowl, mix together flour, baking powder, salt, and poppy seeds.
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In a separate bowl, whisk together sugar, eggs, oil, milk, lemon juice, lemon extract, and lemon zest until it’s well combined.
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Add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients and mix until everything is just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
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Pour into the loaf pan and bake for about 50-55 minutes, until a tester comes out mostly clean. Look for crumbs, but not batter, on the knife or toothpick you used for testing.
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Remove from oven and let cool for about 5-10 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.
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Once bread is cool, prepare the glaze by mixing powdered sugar and lemon juice until smooth and easy to drizzle. Add more sugar or lemon juice if necessary to get the right consistency.
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Pour over the cooled bread and then slice to serve.
Nutrition Information (per serving)
Carbohydrates: 55g |
Protein: 5g |
Fat: 9g |
Saturated Fat: 1g |
Polyunsaturated Fat: 8g |
Cholesterol: 39mg |
Sodium: 179mg |
Fiber: 1g |
Sugar: 32g
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Additional Info
Author: Erin Sellin
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Course: Bread Recipes
Cuisine: American
Servings: 10
Calories: 323
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