Description
Lemon Poppy Seed Heart Bread is a bright, tender quick bread bursting with fresh lemon flavor and crunchy poppy seeds. Perfectly moist and flavorful, this cheerful loaf is ideal for breakfast, brunch, or as a charming Valentine’s Day gift when baked in a heart shape or decorated accordingly.
Ingredients
Bread
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons poppy seeds
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup milk
- ½ cup plain yogurt or sour cream
- ½ cup vegetable oil or melted butter
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Lemon Glaze (Optional)
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2–3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 9×5-inch loaf pan or a heart-shaped pan for a festive presentation.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, poppy seeds, baking powder, and salt until evenly combined.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, mix the milk, plain yogurt or sour cream, vegetable oil or melted butter, eggs, fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and gently mix until just combined; be careful not to overmix to keep the bread tender.
- Prepare for Baking: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top evenly with a spatula.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 50 to 55 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool Bread: Remove the bread from the oven and allow it to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Make Glaze: While the bread cools, whisk together the powdered sugar and fresh lemon juice to create a smooth glaze.
- Glaze Bread: Drizzle the lemon glaze evenly over the cooled loaf for a bright, sweet finish.
Notes
- For the best burst of flavor, use freshly squeezed lemon juice and freshly grated lemon zest.
- Do not overmix the batter to ensure the bread remains tender and light.
- The bread tastes even better the day after baking once the flavors have melded.
- Store the bread covered at room temperature or refrigerate it, where it will keep fresh for up to 5 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Breakfast / Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
