Description
Lemon Poppy Seed Bread is a zesty, moist loaf cake that combines the refreshing flavor of lemon with the crunch of poppy seeds. It’s topped with a sweet lemon glaze for added citrus flavor. Perfect for breakfast, dessert, or an afternoon snack, this easy recipe will impress lemon lovers.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ⅛ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ cup lemon juice
- ¾ cup buttermilk (or substitute as per tips)
- 2 tablespoons poppy seeds
- ¼ cup lemon juice (for syrup)
- 3 tablespoons powdered sugar (for syrup)
- 1 cup powdered sugar (for glaze)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice (for glaze)
- 3 teaspoons milk (for glaze)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan and line it with parchment paper.
- In a small bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, lemon zest, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together softened butter and sugar using an electric mixer on medium-high speed for about 4 minutes until pale and fluffy.
- Add the eggs one at a time, then beat in vanilla extract and lemon juice. Mix until well combined.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients in three parts, alternating with the buttermilk. Start with one-third of the flour mixture, then half of the buttermilk, and repeat. Mix until just incorporated.
- Fold in the poppy seeds gently using a spatula.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top.
- Bake for 45–50 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean with a few moist crumbs.
- Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack.
- Mix lemon juice and powdered sugar to make the lemon syrup and brush it onto the warm bread.
- Prepare the glaze by combining powdered sugar, lemon juice, and milk. Spoon the glaze over the cooled bread.
Notes
- For best results, use room temperature ingredients.
- To make a thicker glaze, reduce the milk used for the icing.
- Ensure the bread is fully cooled before applying the glaze to prevent it from running off.
- If you don’t have buttermilk, substitute with a mix of milk and lemon juice or yogurt and milk.
- Store leftover bread in an airtight container for up to 3 days at room temperature.
- For freezing, store unglazed bread for up to 3 months and glaze it when ready to serve.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 326
- Sugar: 29g
- Sodium: 132mg
- Fat: 13g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 47g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 73mg