- Bright lemon zest rubbed into sugar releases essential oils for intense citrus flavor unmatched by extracts.
- Full-fat Greek yogurt and careful mixing yield a moist, light crumb and reliable rise.
- Flexible recipe: easy dairy-free, gluten-free, or flavor variations like Earl Grey, blueberry, or almond glaze.
There is something incredibly nostalgic about the bright, citrusy aroma of a fresh lemon poppy seed bread cooling on the counter. While many think of poppy seeds as just a crunchy decoration, they actually have a long history in Central European baking for their nutty flavor and oil content. This recipe is a fantastic healthy comfort food option for a slow Sunday morning or a bright, festive dish for a spring tea party. I have spent years as a chef perfecting the crumb of this loaf to ensure it is never dry, but always light and fluffy. This lemon poppy seed bread is exactly what your kitchen needs today.
Table of contents
Prep Like a Pro
To make this lemon bread without any stress, follow these prep steps:
- Zest and Juice: Always zest your lemons before you juice them. It is much easier to grate the skin of a firm, whole fruit.
- Room Temperature Check: Make sure your eggs and yogurt are at room temperature. This ensures the batter emulsifies perfectly.
- Poppy Seed Soak: If you want a softer crunch, soak your poppy seeds in the lemon juice for 10.0 minutes before adding them to the batter.
- Pan Preparation: Grease your 9×5 loaf pan and line it with parchment paper. This allows you to lift the lemon poppy seed bread out with zero sticking.
Lemon Poppy Seed Bread Recipe Card
Lemon Poppy Seed Bread Recipe
10
servings15
minutes50
minutes280
kcalA bright, moist, and tender lemon poppy seed bread with a crunchy bite and a sweet-tart lemon glaze finish.
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Ingredients
1.5 cups All-Purpose Flour
1.0 cup Granulated Sugar
1.0 tablespoon Poppy Seeds
1.0 teaspoon Baking Powder
0.5 teaspoon Baking Soda
0.5 teaspoon Salt
0.5 cup Unsalted Butter (melted)
2.0 large Eggs
0.5 cup Greek Yogurt
3.0 tablespoons Fresh Lemon Juice
2.0 tablespoons Lemon Zest
Glaze: 1.0 cup Powdered Sugar + 2.0 tablespoons Lemon Juice
Directions
- First, preheat your oven to 350°F and prepare your loaf pan with parchment paper and a light coating of butter.
- In a large bowl, whisk the flour, poppy seeds, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until they are well combined.
- In another bowl, rub the lemon zest into the granulated sugar with your fingertips until the sugar is fragrant and moist.
- Whisk the melted butter, eggs, yogurt, and lemon juice into the sugar mixture until the batter is smooth.
- Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients. Use a spatula and stop the moment you no longer see white flour streaks.
- Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top with your spatula.
- Bake for 45.0 to 55.0 minutes. You will know it is done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let the bread cool in the pan for 10.0 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack.
- Whisk the powdered sugar and lemon juice together to create a thick, pourable glaze.
- Drizzle the glaze over the lemon poppy seed bread while it is slightly warm so it sets with a beautiful sheen.
Notes
- Don’t Skip the Yogurt: The fat and acid in the yogurt are what make this lemon poppy seed bread so tender.
- Storage: Store at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 3.0 days.
- Lemon Strength: If you want it even more tart, add 0.25 teaspoons of citric acid to the dry ingredients.
Nutrition Facts
- Fat: 12g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Protein: 4g
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Why This Citrus Loaf Simply Works
The problem with most quick breads is that they can turn out dense or flavorless. This lemon poppy seed bread stands out because we use the “sugar-rubbing” technique. By massaging fresh lemon zest into the granulated sugar, we release the essential oils that a simple extract just cannot mimic.
This recipe is also a champion of customization. If you need a dairy-free version, you can swap the yogurt for a thick coconut cream. For a gluten-free twist, a 1:1 baking flour blend works wonders here. To understand why citrus is such a nutritional powerhouse, check out the health benefits of lemons. This lemon bread is the perfect balance of indulgence and wholesome ingredients.
Chef Secrets for the Perfect Rise
I have baked hundreds of loaves, and these four tips will elevate your bread to professional levels:
- Do Not Overmix: Once you add the dry ingredients, stop mixing as soon as the flour disappears. Overmixing develops gluten, which makes the bread tough.
- The Yogurt Secret: Using full-fat Greek yogurt adds moisture and acidity. This helps the baking soda react for a better rise.
- Glaze While Warm: Apply half of the glaze while the lemon poppy seed bread is still warm. It will soak into the crust. Save the rest for when it is fully cool.
- Fresh Spices: Ensure your baking powder is fresh. If it is over six months old, your loaf might stay flat.
Flavor Spin-offs of Lemon Poppy Seed Bread
The Earl Grey Infusion
For a sophisticated tea-time treat, steep two bags of Earl Grey tea in your melted butter. The bergamot notes in the tea perfectly complement the bright citrus of the lemon poppy seed bread. It adds an earthy depth that is truly unique.
The Blueberry Burst
Gently fold in 1.0 cup of fresh blueberries tossed in a teaspoon of flour. The berries burst during baking, creating juicy pockets of purple throughout the yellow crumb. This version is especially popular with kids.
The Almond Glaze Flip
Instead of a simple lemon glaze, add 0.5 teaspoons of almond extract to your icing. The combination of almond and poppy seed is a classic flavor profile that makes the lemon bread taste like a high-end pastry.
This bread pairs beautifully with my Homemade Strawberry Jam.
Common Questions
This usually happens if the oven door is opened too early or if the bread is underbaked. The structure needs time to set. Always wait until the 45.0-minute mark before checking with a toothpick.
Absolutely! This recipe works beautifully with lime, orange, or even grapefruit. Just match the zest to the juice for the best flavor balance.
This version does, but you can easily make it gluten-free by using a high-quality 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. The results are still incredibly moist.
A Final Squeeze of Sunshine
I hope this lemon poppy seed bread becomes a staple in your home just as it has in mine. There is a simple joy in the perfect slice of quick bread, especially one that is as bright and cheerful as this one.
Give this recipe a try and share your results! If you loved this citrus bake, you might also enjoy my Lemon Bars or my Orange Cranberry Scones. Happy baking!
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