Lemon Poppy Seed Bread with Citrus Glaze Recipe
If you’re anything like me, you adore a perfect slice of sweet bread that feels both indulgent and fresh. This Lemon Poppy Seed Bread with Citrus Glaze Recipe is exactly that—a delightful blend of bright citrus flavors, a tender crumb, and the pleasant crunch of poppy seeds. Whenever I make this loaf, it fills my kitchen with the most inviting aroma of lemon and vanilla, putting a smile on everyone’s face before the first bite even happens.
What makes this Lemon Poppy Seed Bread with Citrus Glaze Recipe so special is how the glaze seeps into the warm bread, giving every slice a sweet, tangy finish that’s simply irresistible. It’s an easy recipe that works beautifully for breakfasts, afternoon tea, or when you unexpectedly have guests drop by. Trust me, once you try it, this will become your go-to recipe whenever you want something comforting yet refreshingly citrusy.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this recipe lies in using fresh citrus flavors combined with classic baking staples. Each ingredient has its role in creating the perfect texture and taste, and I love how pantry basics come together to make something truly special.
- All-purpose flour: The base that gives the bread structure; make sure it’s fresh for the best rise.
- Baking powder: Helps the bread rise beautifully and stay tender.
- Kosher salt: Enhances all the flavors, balancing the sweetness and citrus.
- Poppy seeds: Add that nutty crunch and visual appeal that’s classic in this bread.
- Canola oil: Keeps the bread moist without overpowering the delicate lemon flavor; you can swap with vegetable or light olive oil if needed.
- Milk: Adds richness and helps create a smooth batter.
- Granulated sugar: Provides sweetness; doubled here—once in the batter, once in the glaze for a bright finish.
- Eggs: The binding agent that helps the bread hold together while keeping it tender.
- Lemon juice and lemon zest: The heart of the bread’s vibrant citrus flavor—fresh is always best!
- Vanilla extract: Adds depth and warmth to balance the tart citrus notes.
- Orange juice (for the glaze): Brings a complementary citrus twist that pairs beautifully with lemon.
- Butter (melted): Adds richness and helps the glaze soak perfectly into the bread.
Variations
I love tweaking this Lemon Poppy Seed Bread with Citrus Glaze Recipe depending on the season or who I’m baking for. You should definitely make it your own by adding flair that suits your taste buds or dietary needs.
- Extra citrus punch: Once, I doubled the lemon zest and added a teaspoon of grated orange zest—so bright and flavorful! It’s perfect if you want to boost that citrus zing even more.
- Gluten-free version: I’ve swapped out the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free blend in a pinch. Just make sure it’s one that measures 1:1 for flour to keep the texture just right.
- Lower sugar glaze: If you prefer a lighter touch, reduce the sugar in the citrus glaze or skip the glaze altogether—you’ll still have a flavorful bread.
- Add poppy seed crunch: Toast the poppy seeds lightly before mixing to bring out a nuttier flavor, giving an extra dimension to your loaf.
How to Make Lemon Poppy Seed Bread with Citrus Glaze Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Pans and Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). While it’s warming up, lightly grease and flour two 9×5-inch loaf pans. This little step makes sure your bread won’t stick and will come out perfectly smooth—trust me, it’s worth the extra minute.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, kosher salt, and poppy seeds. This ensures all those ingredients get evenly distributed so every slice has consistent flavor and texture.
Step 3: Blend the Wet Ingredients
Grab your electric mixer and beat the canola oil, milk, and 2 cups of sugar until combined and creamy. Then add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Finish with lemon juice, lemon zest, and vanilla extract. This mixture should be smooth and bright with that fresh lemon aroma filling your kitchen.
Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures
Gradually add your dry mixture into the wet, mixing just until combined. Be gentle here—overmixing can make your bread tough. You want to stop when the batter just comes together but still looks fluffy and inviting.
Step 5: Bake the Loaves
Divide the batter evenly between your prepared loaf pans. Pop them in the oven and bake for about 50 minutes. Keep an eye out and test with a toothpick near the end—it should come out clean or with just a few moist crumbs. If your tops brown too fast, tent them with aluminum foil to avoid over-browning while the inside finishes baking.
Step 6: Make and Apply the Citrus Glaze
While your loaves cool in their pans for 10 minutes, whisk together the glaze ingredients: sugar, orange juice, lemon juice, vanilla, and melted butter. Once the bread is warm but not hot, pour the glaze evenly over the tops. This step is what transforms your bread from simple to spectacular, so don’t skip it!
How to Serve Lemon Poppy Seed Bread with Citrus Glaze Recipe
Garnishes
I love garnishing slices with a few thin lemon or orange slices or even a sprinkle of extra poppy seeds. It brightens up the presentation and hints at the flavors inside. A light dusting of powdered sugar also adds a lovely finishing touch if you want to up the sweetness a bit.
Side Dishes
This bread pairs beautifully with a hot cup of tea or coffee for a simple breakfast or snack. For a brunch spread, I serve it alongside fresh fruit salad or creamy yogurt with honey. It also makes a lovely light dessert if you add a dollop of whipped cream.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, try serving the bread sliced and stacked with a small dollop of mascarpone and a drizzle of honey on top. Another favorite is wrapping slices in parchment with a sprig of mint for gifting friends—it’s such a thoughtful homemade treat that everyone appreciates.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
When I have leftovers, I wrap the bread tightly in plastic wrap and keep it at room temperature for up to three days. It stays wonderfully moist this way, but if you want it to last longer, the fridge works for up to a week—just bring slices to room temp before enjoying.
Freezing
I’ve frozen this bread multiple times with great success—just slice it first, wrap individual slices in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer bag. When you’re ready for a treat, they thaw quickly at room temperature or in the microwave.
Reheating
Reheating slices in a toaster oven for a few minutes brings back that fresh-out-of-the-oven warmth and soft texture. Avoid microwaving too long or your bread might dry out. A quick warm-up is all it takes to enjoy it like new.
FAQs
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Can I use bottled lemon juice for this Lemon Poppy Seed Bread with Citrus Glaze Recipe?
Yes, you can use bottled lemon juice if fresh isn’t available, but fresh lemon juice and zest deliver the best vibrant flavor. Bottled lemon juice tends to be less bright and can sometimes taste a bit processed, so I recommend fresh whenever you can.
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How long will this Lemon Poppy Seed Bread with Citrus Glaze Recipe stay fresh?
Stored properly at room temperature wrapped tightly, the bread stays fresh for about 3 days. Refrigeration can extend it up to a week, but bring slices to room temperature before serving for the best texture and flavor.
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Can I make this bread gluten-free?
Absolutely! I recommend using a high-quality gluten-free flour blend that measures cup-for-cup like regular flour. Some blends have xanthan gum included which helps keep the bread tender and moist.
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Is the citrus glaze necessary?
The citrus glaze really elevates this bread, adding sweetness and a zesty finish. However, if you prefer a lighter bread, you can omit it or reduce the sugar in the glaze for a subtler touch. It’s delicious either way!
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Can I substitute the oil for butter in the batter?
You can try melting butter instead of using oil, but the texture might be slightly denser. Oil generally keeps the bread moist and tender, which is what makes this recipe so successful for me.
Final Thoughts
This Lemon Poppy Seed Bread with Citrus Glaze Recipe has become one of my favorite baking projects to share with friends and family. It’s approachable, full of sunshine-y flavor, and a little bit special thanks to that sweet glaze. If you’ve been looking for a recipe that’s both comforting and refreshing, I really encourage you to give this one a whirl—you’ll love the way it fills your home with warmth and your tastebuds with joy.
Print
Lemon Poppy Seed Bread with Citrus Glaze Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 2 loaf breads 1x
- Category: Baking
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Lemon Poppy Seed Bread recipe delivers moist, tender loaves infused with bright lemon flavor and studded with crunchy poppy seeds. A citrus glaze poured over the warm bread adds a sweet, tangy finish perfect for breakfast or an afternoon snack. Easy to make and perfect for lemon lovers, this classic quick bread is baked to golden perfection and sure to please any crowd.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 tablespoons poppy seeds
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup canola oil
- 1 ½ cups milk
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Glaze
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup orange juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon vanilla
- 1 tablespoon butter, melted
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pans: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease and flour two 9×5-inch loaf pans to ensure the bread releases easily after baking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, kosher salt, and poppy seeds until evenly combined. Set aside.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: Using an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat together the canola oil, milk, and 2 cups of granulated sugar until well combined. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Then beat in the lemon juice, lemon zest, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth.
- Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients and mix until just combined, taking care not to overmix to maintain a tender crumb.
- Fill Pans and Bake: Divide the batter evenly between the prepared loaf pans. Bake in the preheated oven for about 50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. If the tops brown too quickly while the centers are still undercooked, tent the loaves with foil and continue baking until done.
- Cool the Loaves: Remove the loaves from the oven and let them cool in the pans for 10 minutes. Then invert the loaves onto a wire rack set over a rimmed baking sheet to catch any glaze drips.
- Prepare and Apply Glaze: In a medium bowl, whisk together the ¾ cup granulated sugar, orange juice, lemon juice, vanilla, and melted butter until smooth. While the loaves are still warm, evenly pour this glaze over the tops, allowing it to soak in as the bread cools completely.
Notes
- If you do not have canola oil, vegetable oil or light olive oil can be used as substitutions.
- For extra lemon flavor, you can increase the lemon zest to 3 teaspoons.
- Make sure to tent the loaves with foil if they brown too quickly to avoid a burnt crust.
- This bread can be stored at room temperature, wrapped tightly, for up to 3 days or refrigerated for up to a week.
- Glaze adds a sweet and citrusy finish; if preferred, you can omit or reduce the sugar in the glaze for a lighter topping.
Keywords: Lemon Poppy Seed Bread, Citrus Bread, Quick Bread, Lemon Zest, Poppy Seeds, Dessert Bread, Snack
