Description

This Lemon Poppy Seed Bread is a bakery-worthy quick bread bursting with bright lemon flavor, a tender crumb, and a perfectly sweet-tart glaze. Made with simple ingredients and professional techniques, this foolproof recipe ensures moist, fluffy results that will make your kitchen smell like sunshine.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Bread:
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup granulated sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
2 tablespoons poppy seeds
2 tablespoons fresh lemon zest
3/4 cup whole milk (room temperature)
1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt (room temperature)
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
2 large eggs (room temperature)
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Lemon Glaze:
1 cup powdered sugar, sifted
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon milk
1/2 teaspoon lemon zest (optional)

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Pan — Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C). Grease and line a 9×5-inch loaf pan with parchment paper for easy removal.
Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients — In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, poppy seeds, and lemon zest until evenly combined.
Step 3: Whisk Wet Ingredients — In another bowl, whisk sugar and eggs until slightly pale and airy. Add Greek yogurt, milk, lemon juice, and vanilla. Slowly stream in melted butter while whisking continuously.
Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures — Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and fold gently with a spatula until just combined. Avoid overmixing for a tender crumb.
Step 5: Bake — Pour batter into prepared pan, smooth the top, and bake 50–60 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with moist crumbs.
Step 6: Cool — Cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. Cool completely before glazing.
Step 7: Glaze — Whisk powdered sugar, lemon juice, and milk until smooth and pourable. Drizzle over cooled bread and let set before slicing.

Notes

Use room-temperature ingredients for the best texture. If browning too quickly, cover loosely with foil at the 45-minute mark. Cool completely before glazing to achieve a smooth, glossy finish.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 60 minutes
Category: Baking
Method: Oven
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 slice
Calories: 308
Sugar: 26g
Sodium: 164mg
Fat: 14g
Saturated Fat: 8g
Carbohydrates: 43g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 5g
Cholesterol: 79mg

Keywords: lemon poppy seed bread, quick bread, lemon glaze, moist lemon loaf, easy baking recipe