With a zesty lemon flavor and just the right amount of sweetness, this Lemon Poppy Seed Bread is perfect for breakfast, dessert, or an afternoon snack.
This Lemon Poppy Seed Bread is a bright, tender loaf bursting with fresh citrus flavor and a subtle nutty crunch from poppy seeds. The soft, moist loaf is infused with lemon zest and juice, creating a perfectly balanced sweetness with a hint of tang.
For more tart and tangy favorites, you have to check out my Classic Lemon Bars, Lemon Cupcakes with Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting, and Heavenly Lemon Cream Pie.
Table of Contents
Recipe Ingredients
Sour Cream – The sour cream makes the bread moist and delicious. You can use full-fat plain Greek yogurt instead of sour cream for a similar texture.
Poppy Seeds – Adds in that classic speckled look and a subtle crunch.
Milk – I use 2%, but you can use any type of dairy milk.
For a full list of ingredients and amounts, see the recipe card below.
Variations
Whole Wheat Flour for Added Heft – Swap half of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour to add a hint of nuttiness and extra fiber.
Honey for Extra Moistness – You can substitute part of the sugar with honey, which adds a floral sweetness and extra moisture. Use three-quarters of the sugar amount in honey and adjust the flour slightly.
How to Make Lemon Poppy Seed Bread
Step 1: Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius). Lightly spray (or butter and flour) an 8×4-inch loaf pan; set aside.
Step 2: In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat together the butter, sugar, lemon zest, and vanilla extract until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing until incorporated.
Step 3: In a medium-size mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, poppy seeds, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
Step 4: In a small mixing bowl, combine the sour cream, milk, and lemon juice, mixing until smooth.
Step 5: With the mixer on low, alternate adding the dry and wet ingredients in three separate additions. Mix until a smooth batter forms.
Step 6: Pour batter into the prepared loaf pan and sprinkle with sliced almonds (if desired). Place in the oven to bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour and 10 minutes. Tent with foil halfway through to prevent over-browning. The loaf may look slightly moist in the center, especially in the crack, but as long as it’s mostly set (not runny), remove it and allow it to cool in the pan for 30 minutes before removing it from the pan and transferring to a wire rack. Poke holes all over the top of the bread using a cake tester or toothpick.
Step 7: To prepare the glaze, combine ingredients in a small saucepan set over medium heat. When the sugar has completely dissolved, pour over the cooled loaf, allowing it to drip over the edges and sides. Let it sit for 20 minutes to harden before serving.
FAQs
Yes, a hand mixer works well. Beat butter and sugar until fluffy, then proceed with the recipe as usual.
Insert a toothpick into the center; if it comes out mostly clean, with a few moist crumbs, it’s ready.
Storage Information
STORE Lemon Poppy Seed Loaf in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. Wrap slices individually in plastic wrap to FREEZE for up to 3 months.
Wrap in foil, place in a Ziploc bag, and thaw overnight in the fridge, then bring to room temperature before serving.
Lemon Poppy Seed Bread Recipe
Ingredients
For the Bread
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter - room temperature
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 3 tbsp lemon zest
- 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 3 eggs
- 1 2/3 cup all purpose flour
- 2 tbsp poppy seeds
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup milk
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
For Lemon Glaze
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius). Lightly spray (or butter and flour) an 8×4-inch loaf pan; set aside.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat together the butter, sugar, lemon zest, and vanilla extract until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing until incorporated.
- In a medium-size mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, poppy seeds, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- In a small mixing bowl, combine the sour cream, milk, and lemon juice, mixing until smooth.
- With the mixer on low, alternate adding the dry and wet ingredients in three separate additions. Mix until a smooth batter forms.
- Pour batter into the prepared loaf pan and sprinkle with sliced almonds (if desired). Place in the oven to bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour and 10 minutes. Tent with foil halfway through to prevent over-browning. The loaf may look slightly moist in the center, especially in the crack, but as long as it's mostly set (not runny), remove it and allow it to cool in the pan for 30 minutes before removing it from the pan and transferring to a wire rack. Poke holes all over the top of the bread using a cake tester or toothpick.
- To prepare the glaze, combine ingredients in a small saucepan set over medium heat. When the sugar has completely dissolved, pour over the cooled loaf, allowing it to drip over the edges and sides. Let it sit for 20 minutes to harden before serving.
This recipe is PERFECT. The bread came out moist but cooked through, the glaze was the perfect extra zing of flavor… I’ll never buy lemon poppyseed bread again, now that I can make it and my standards are so high!! Delish!
Yay! I’m so glad to hear you enjoyed the bread!! Thanks for sharing!
Perfect! Tried this exactly as written, and it’s absolutely scrumptious. The only thing I would change is to double the amount of icing and add a bit of zest to that too, as we were all a bit greedy with the tangy icing on top!
The cake was so good, and had the best texture, especially, like a lot of loaf cakes, once it had rested after a day or so (what was left, haha).
Thanks so much, this is going in the “keeper” recipe file! 😊
You are welcome! That makes so happy that you liked it! Thank you!
Fabulous and not at all difficult.
I am so glad you think so 🙂 Thank you!
Brilliant flavor! We will definitely make this again!
Thank you!! I am so happy you will 🙂
This is really good! Everyone at my house loved it!