Best Ever Poppy Seed Bread
Ingredients
Directions / Instructions
Why You'll Love This Best Ever Poppy Seed Bread
This Best Ever Poppy Seed Bread is soft, buttery, and packed with bright citrus flavor. Every slice has a delicate crumb, crunchy poppy seeds, and a sweet lemon glaze that keeps the loaf incredibly moist.
It's an easy quick bread that requires no yeast and comes together with simple pantry ingredients. Whether you're serving it for breakfast, brunch, dessert, or gifting it during the holidays, this loaf is always a crowd favorite.
Ingredients
For the Bread
- 2½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons poppy seeds
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup light brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- ¾ cup vegetable oil
- 1 cup sour cream
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon zest
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
For the Lemon Glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 to 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
1. Prepare the Pan
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 9x5-inch loaf pan with parchment paper.
2. Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and poppy seeds.
3. Mix the Wet Ingredients
In another bowl, whisk together the sugars, eggs, oil, sour cream, vanilla, almond extract, lemon zest, and lemon juice until smooth.
4. Combine
Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and gently fold together until just combined. Do not overmix.
5. Bake
Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top. Bake for 50 to 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
6. Cool
Allow the bread to cool in the pan for 15 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack.
7. Glaze
Whisk together the powdered sugar, lemon juice, and vanilla until smooth. Drizzle generously over the cooled loaf before slicing.
Expert Tips
Use freshly squeezed lemon juice and zest for the brightest flavor. Measure the flour correctly by spooning it into the measuring cup to avoid a dense loaf. Avoid overmixing the batter, which can make the bread tough. Let the loaf cool completely before glazing for the best presentation.
Storage
Store the bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days or refrigerate for up to one week. Freeze individual slices or the entire loaf for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
Serving Suggestions
Enjoy with coffee, tea, cappuccino, hot chocolate, or fresh fruit. Spread with butter, cream cheese, or lemon curd for an extra indulgent treat. It also makes a wonderful addition to brunch buffets and holiday breakfast tables.
Recipe Variations
Add fresh blueberries or raspberries to the batter, replace lemon with orange zest and juice, mix in chopped almonds for extra crunch, or substitute Greek yogurt for sour cream. A cream cheese glaze or almond glaze also pairs beautifully with this loaf.
Frequently Asked Questions
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