The Most Fluffy Lemon Poppy Seed Bread Recipe Ever Made

Zesty lemon poppy seed bread changes ordinary baking into a vibrant culinary adventure.

Bright citrus notes dance through this delightful quick bread, creating an irresistible aroma that fills your kitchen.

Tiny black poppy seeds provide delicate crunch and visual intrigue against a soft, golden backdrop.

Each slice promises a perfect balance between tangy brightness and subtle sweetness that makes breakfast or afternoon tea feel special.

Subtle nutty undertones from the poppy seeds complement the sharp citrus essence, elevating this bread beyond a simple quick recipe.

Homemade baking brings warmth and comfort, connecting you to generations of traditional baking techniques.

Prepare to fall in love with a recipe that celebrates simple ingredients and joyful cooking.

Lemon Poppy Seed Bread Full of Citrus Charm

• Bursting with Bright Citrus Flavor: The combination of fresh lemon juice and zest creates a vibrant, tangy taste that instantly awakens your taste buds and brings a sunshine-like freshness to every bite.
• Incredibly Tender and Moist Texture: Sour cream and milk work magic to produce an ultra-soft, delicate crumb that melts in your mouth, making this bread feel luxuriously smooth and indulgent.
• Super Simple One-Bowl Preparation: This recipe requires minimal dishes and basic mixing techniques, making it perfect for bakers of all skill levels who want a delicious treat without complicated steps or professional baking experience.
• Versatile Breakfast or Dessert Delight: Whether enjoyed with morning coffee, served as an afternoon snack, or presented as a light dessert, this lemon poppy seed bread offers delightful versatility for any time of day.

Lemon Poppy Seed Bread Ingredients Guide

Main Ingredients:

Flour Group: – All-Purpose Flour: Foundational ingredient for bread structure and texture, choose unbleached flour for best results.

Sugar Group: – Granulated Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps with browning, select pure cane sugar for clean flavor.

Leavening Group: – Baking Powder: Helps bread rise and become light, ensure it’s fresh for maximum lift.

Wet Ingredients:

Liquid Group: – Vegetable Oil, Milk: Adds moisture and tenderness to the bread, use neutral oil and whole milk for richness.

Egg Group: – Large Eggs: Provides structure and binding, room temperature eggs blend more smoothly.

Dairy Group: – Sour Cream: Adds tanginess and moisture, full-fat version creates better texture.

Flavor Enhancers:

Citrus Group: – Lemon Juice, Lemon Zest: Brings bright, fresh citrus flavor, use fresh lemons for most intense taste.

Seed Group: – Poppy Seeds: Adds visual interest and subtle nutty crunch, ensure seeds are fresh and not stale.

Flavor Group: – Vanilla Extract: Rounds out and deepens overall flavor, choose pure extract over imitation.

Glaze Ingredients:

Sweetener Group: – Powdered Sugar: Creates smooth, sweet glaze that sets nicely on bread.

Citrus Group: – Lemon Juice: Provides tangy flavor and helps thin glaze to desired consistency.

Instructions for Zesty Lemon Poppy Seed Bread

Step 1: Prep the Oven and Pan

Heat your oven to 325°F.

Grab an 8×4 inch loaf pan and line the bottom with parchment paper.

Generously grease and dust the sides with flour to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Create Wet Ingredient Blend

• Vegetable oil
• Eggs
• Sour cream
• Milk
• Vanilla extract
• Fresh lemon juice

Whisk everything together until smooth and well combined.

Step 3: Mix Dry Ingredient Base

• All-purpose flour
• Granulated sugar
• Baking powder
• Salt
• Lemon zest
• Poppy seeds

Whisk until everything is evenly distributed.

Step 4: Marry the Mixtures

Create a small well in the center of your dry ingredients.

Pour the wet mixture into this well.

Gently fold the batter using a rubber spatula or wooden spoon.

Mix until flour streaks disappear and the batter looks uniform.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Transfer the batter into your prepared loaf pan.

Place in the middle rack of the oven.

Bake for 55-65 minutes.

Check doneness by inserting a toothpick – it should come out clean.

If the top browns too quickly, cover with aluminum foil.

Step 6: Add Zesty Glaze

Let the loaf cool completely on a wire rack.

For the glaze, whisk powdered sugar with lemon juice.

Adjust consistency by adding more sugar or juice as needed.

Drizzle the glaze over the cooled loaf.

Enjoy your bright, citrusy treat!

Lemon Poppy Seed Bread Tips to Know

• Zest Carefully: Use a microplane or fine grater to extract only the bright yellow part of the lemon peel, avoiding the bitter white pith underneath.
• Check Moisture Level: Ensure sour cream and milk are at room temperature to create a tender, more evenly baked bread with soft crumb.
• Prevent Sinking Seeds: Lightly coat poppy seeds with a tablespoon of flour before adding to the dry ingredients to prevent them from settling at the bottom.
• Test Doneness Precisely: Insert a toothpick at an angle into the bread's center; it should come out with just a few moist crumbs, not completely wet or completely dry.
• Enhance Lemon Flavor: For extra citrusy punch, add a teaspoon of lemon extract to the wet ingredients or brush the warm bread with fresh lemon syrup before glazing.

How to Keep Lemon Poppy Seed Bread Moist

• Storage: Wrap the cooled lemon poppy seed bread tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil to maintain moisture. Keep at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for extended freshness up to 5-7 days. Seal in an airtight container to prevent drying out.
• Freezing: Slice the bread before freezing for easier portioning. Place individual slices or the whole loaf in a freezer-safe bag, removing as much air as possible. Freeze for up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator or at room temperature for 1-2 hours before serving.
• Reheating: Warm individual slices in the microwave for 10-15 seconds for a soft, fresh texture.

Tasty Pairings for Lemon Poppy Seed Bread

• Brew a Zesty Tea Companion: Pair the lemon poppy seed bread with a refreshing earl grey or chamomile tea to complement its citrusy and delicate flavors, creating a perfect midday treat.
• Elevate with Creamy Spread: Serve alongside a dollop of mascarpone cheese or a light cream cheese spread to add a luxurious, smooth texture that balances the bread's brightness.
• Craft a Morning Coffee Match: Enjoy with a smooth cappuccino or light roast coffee, letting the bread's lemony notes dance with the coffee's warmth and creating a delightful breakfast experience.
• Indulge in Sweet Wine Harmony: Match with a crisp Moscato or Riesling, whose subtle sweetness and light acidity will enhance the bread's citrus undertones and provide a sophisticated dessert pairing.

Fresh Takes on Lemon Poppy Seed Bread

• Zesty Orange Poppy Seed Bread: Swap lemon juice and zest with fresh orange juice and zest for a citrusy alternative that brightens the bread's flavor profile.
• Almond Poppy Seed Loaf: Replace milk with almond milk and add 1/2 teaspoon almond extract to create a nutty, aromatic variation that complements the poppy seeds.
• Blueberry Lemon Poppy Seed Bread: Gently fold 1 cup of fresh or frozen blueberries into the batter just before baking, creating bursts of fruity sweetness throughout the bread.
• Coconut Lemon Poppy Seed Bread: Mix in 1/2 cup shredded coconut to the dry ingredients and use coconut oil instead of vegetable oil for a tropical-inspired version with added texture.

Lemon Poppy Seed Bread Recipe

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4.6 from 26 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Zesty lemon poppy seed bread delivers a perfect balance of tangy citrus and nutty crunch. Moist crumb and delicate flavor make this classic quick bread an irresistible treat you’ll want to savor with morning coffee or afternoon tea.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour (250 grams)
• 1 cup granulated sugar (200 grams)
• ½ cup canola or vegetable oil (120 ml)
• ½ cup sour cream (120 ml)
• ½ cup milk (120 ml), 2% or whole recommended
• 2 large eggs

Flavor Enhancers:

• 3 tablespoons lemon zest
• 1 ½ tablespoons poppy seeds
• 3 tablespoons lemon juice (45 ml), freshly squeezed
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Finishing Ingredients:

• 2 ½ teaspoons baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt

For the Glaze:

• 1 to 1 ½ cups powdered sugar (110 – 165 grams)
• 1–2 tablespoons lemon juice (15–30 ml), freshly squeezed

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Instructions

1. Warmth the oven to 325°F (170°C), positioning the rack in the center for even baking.
2. Prepare an 8×4 inch (20×10 centimeters) loaf pan by lining the bottom with parchment paper and thoroughly coating the sides with butter and flour to prevent sticking.
3. In a medium mixing bowl, vigorously whisk together vegetable oil, large eggs, sour cream, whole milk, pure vanilla extract, and freshly squeezed lemon juice until the mixture appears smooth and well-integrated.
4. Grab a large mixing bowl and combine all dry ingredients: all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, kosher salt, finely grated lemon zest, and poppy seeds, whisking to distribute evenly.
5. Create a subtle depression in the center of the dry ingredient mixture and carefully pour the liquid ingredients into this well.
6. Using a rubber spatula, gently fold the ingredients together, ensuring no visible flour streaks remain while maintaining a light, airy texture.
7. Transfer the batter smoothly into the prepared loaf pan, spreading it evenly with minimal disturbance.
8. Slide the pan into the preheated oven and bake for 55-65 minutes, monitoring for a golden-brown surface and checking doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center (it should emerge clean).
9. If the bread’s surface browns too quickly, loosely tent with aluminum foil to prevent excessive coloration.
10. Once baked, remove from the oven and allow the bread to cool completely on a wire rack, which helps prevent moisture accumulation.
11. Prepare the glaze by whisking powdered sugar with fresh lemon juice, adjusting the consistency to achieve a smooth, drizzle-friendly texture.
12. When the bread has reached room temperature, generously drizzle the lemon glaze over the top, allowing it to cascade down the sides naturally.

Notes

• Capture the bright, zesty essence of summer with this foolproof lemon poppy seed bread that bursts with tangy citrus flavor.
• Ensure room temperature ingredients blend seamlessly, creating a tender, moist crumb that melts in your mouth.
• Check bread doneness by inserting a toothpick in the center – it should come out clean without wet batter to prevent underbaking.
• Tent with aluminum foil midway through baking if the top browns too quickly, protecting the delicate golden surface.
• Adjust glaze consistency by adding powdered sugar for thickness or lemon juice for more drizzle, creating a perfect sweet-tart topping.
• Store bread wrapped tightly at room temperature for 3-4 days or refrigerate for extended freshness, enjoying each slice’s vibrant lemon profile.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 55 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 365 kcal
• Sugar: 26 g
• Sodium: 180 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 47 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 45 mg