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A golden-baked slice of Lemon Poppy Seed Bread, drizzled with sweet lemon glaze, ready to be enjoyed.

Moist & Zesty Lemon Poppy Seed Bread

Brighten your day with this irresistible Moist & Zesty Lemon Poppy Seed Bread! Featuring refreshing lemon flavor and a wonderfully moist texture, this quick bread is easy to make for any baker and perfect for any time.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 55 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 12 slices
Course: Breakfast, Dessert
Calories: 300

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour (250g, spooned & leveled)
  • 4 teaspoons poppy seeds
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 1 large egg at room temperature
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar (150g)
  • cup vegetable oil (80ml)
  • cup sour cream (80g, or plain yogurt/Greek yogurt), at room temperature
  • cup whole milk (160ml), at room temperature
  • 3 Tablespoons lemon juice (45ml)
  • 1 Tablespoon lemon zest
  • ½ cup confectioners sugar (60g, for glaze)
  • 1 Tablespoon lemon juice (15ml, for glaze)
  • candied lemon slices for garnish (optional)

Equipment

  • 9x5-inch loaf pan
  • Mixing Bowls
  • Whisk
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Wire cooling rack

Method
 

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Lightly spray a 9×5-inch loaf pan with nonstick spray to prevent sticking and ensure easy removal.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, poppy seeds, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Ensure these dry ingredients are well combined for even leavening.
  3. In a separate medium bowl, whisk the large egg and granulated sugar until fully combined and slightly frothy. Then, whisk in the vegetable oil, sour cream, whole milk, lemon juice, and lemon zest.
  4. Pour the wet ingredients mixture into the large bowl containing the dry ingredients. Whisk them together until just combined. Avoid overmixing; a few small lumps are fine and help keep the bread tender.
  5. Pour and spread the prepared batter evenly into your greased loaf pan. Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 50 minutes to 1 hour. After 25-30 minutes, loosely cover the top with aluminum foil to prevent excessive browning. Check for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center; it should come out clean.
  6. Remove the pan from the oven and let the bread cool completely in the pan on a wire cooling rack. This allows the bread to firm up, preventing crumbling when sliced.
  7. While the bread cools, whisk together the confectioners' sugar and lemon juice in a small bowl to create a simple, zesty glaze. Double the ingredients if you prefer a thicker coating.
  8. Drizzle the lemon glaze over the cooled bread. You can also glaze it while slightly warm in the pan for extra moisture and flavor. Once glazed, slice and enjoy this refreshing treat.

Nutrition

Calories: 300kcalCarbohydrates: 50gProtein: 5gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 2.5gCholesterol: 35mgSodium: 225mgPotassium: 150mgFiber: 1.5gSugar: 30gVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 50mgIron: 1mg

Notes

For best results, use room temperature ingredients for a smooth batter and tender crumb. Plain or Greek yogurt can substitute sour cream, and 2% or almond milk can replace whole milk. Always use freshly squeezed lemon juice and zest. Avoid overmixing the batter to prevent a tough texture. It's normal for quick breads to crack on top during baking. If skipping the glaze, increase granulated sugar in the batter by 1/4 cup.
Nutrition information is estimated based on common ingredients and serving sizes and may vary.

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