Description
Homemade lemon poppy seed bread brings zesty brightness to classic quick bread recipes. Moist crumb with tangy citrus notes and delicate poppy seed texture creates perfect breakfast or afternoon snack for eager bakers seeking simple comfort.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups (250 grams) all-purpose flour
- 1 cup (200 grams) granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup (120 ml) canola or vegetable oil
- ½ cup (120 ml) sour cream
- ½ cup (120 ml) milk, 2% or whole recommended
- 3 tbsps lemon zest
- 3 tbsps lemon juice (45 ml), freshly squeezed
- 1 ½ tbsps poppy seeds
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 ½ tsps baking powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 to 1 ½ cups (110 – 165 grams) powdered sugar
- 1–2 tbsps (15–30 ml) lemon juice, freshly squeezed
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat oven to 325°F (170°C) with rack centered, ensuring uniform heat distribution.
- Pan Setup: Line an 8×4 inch loaf pan with parchment paper, meticulously buttering and flouring sides to guarantee effortless release.
- Wet Ingredient Fusion: Vigorously whisk vegetable oil, eggs, sour cream, whole milk, vanilla extract, and lemon juice until seamlessly blended and silky smooth.
- Dry Ingredient Integration: In a separate large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, kosher salt, lemon zest, and poppy seeds, thoroughly mixing to eliminate potential clumping.
- Batter Assembly: Create a central well in dry ingredients, gently pour liquid mixture, and fold with a rubber spatula, maintaining a light touch to preserve airy texture and eliminate flour streaks.
- Baking Process: Pour batter into prepared pan, spreading evenly, then bake for 55-65 minutes. Monitor for golden-brown coloration and test doneness with a toothpick – it should emerge pristine.
- Cooling and Finishing: Remove from oven, tent with foil if browning too rapidly. Cool completely on a wire rack, then craft a luxurious lemon glaze by whisking powdered sugar with lemon juice.
- Glazing Finale: Once bread reaches room temperature, drizzle glaze generously, allowing it to cascade naturally down the sides for an elegant presentation.
Notes
- Prep with Precision: Line the pan meticulously to ensure easy bread removal and prevent sticking.
- Mix Mindfully: Gently fold wet and dry ingredients to maintain a light, airy texture without overmixing.
- Watch While Baking: Monitor bread color and use foil tenting if surface browns too quickly to prevent burning.
- Cooling is Crucial: Allow bread to cool completely on a wire rack to set structure and prevent moisture buildup.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 9
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 16 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg