Deliciously Moist Lemon Poppy Seed Quick Bread Recipe

There’s something incredibly delightful about quick breads. Perhaps it’s their simplicity or their unmatched versatility as breakfast, snack, or dessert options. Among these, lemon poppy seed quick bread stands as an evergreen favorite, beloved for its distinctive citrus aroma and the pleasing texture imparted by the poppy seeds.

This article covers every possible aspect you could want to know about making a delicious, moist, and flavorful Lemon Poppy Seed Quick Bread. From choosing ingredients to mastering the baking technique, you’ll soon have everything you need to confidently bake this classic quick bread at home.

What Makes Lemon Poppy Seed Quick Bread Special?

Lemon poppy seed quick bread is more than just another loaf of bread. It’s a flavorful, dense, and irresistibly moist delicacy that effortlessly blends the bright and tangy flavor of lemon with the subtle nutty taste of poppy seeds.

This bread is unique for several reasons:

• Citrusy Zest: Lemon zest is the star ingredient that provides a bright, fresh aroma and flavor.
• Poppy Seed Texture: Tiny poppy seeds offer pleasant crunch and texture, enhancing the loaf’s overall appeal.
• Sour Cream: Added sour cream makes the bread rich, moist, and delicately tender.
• Versatility: It’s perfect as breakfast, served with tea or coffee; as a snack, sliced thickly and enjoyed plain or with butter; or even as a dessert when paired with whipped cream or fresh fruit.

Now, let’s dive deeper into each of these ingredients, what roles they play, and how to choose them for the best results.

Selecting the Ingredients: A Closer Look

Every ingredient contributes significantly to the flavor, texture, and appearance of lemon poppy seed quick bread. Let’s explore them individually:

Butter

Using butter adds richness, flavor, and moisture. Choose unsalted butter, ideally room temperature, to ensure easier creaming with sugar and to achieve a fluffy texture.

Granulated Sugar

Granulated sugar sweetens and helps maintain moisture. You can experiment slightly with sugar quantities, but reducing it too much might compromise the bread’s texture and moisture retention.

Lemon Zest

The zest contains natural citrus oils that provide an intense lemon flavor without adding acidity. Use organic lemons whenever possible, and wash thoroughly before zesting.

Eggs

Eggs bind and provide structure. Large or jumbo eggs work best, giving your bread a robust crumb structure and the right moisture balance.

Vanilla Extract

Vanilla enhances the overall flavor profile, subtly complementing the tangy lemon and nutty poppy seeds. Use pure vanilla extract rather than artificial substitutes for best results.

Kosher Salt

Salt sharpens and balances sweetness and acidity, crucial for rounding out the bread’s flavors.

Baking Powder and Baking Soda

These leavening agents help the loaf rise and achieve the right texture. Always ensure freshness of these ingredients for best results.

Poppy Seeds

These tiny seeds contribute mild nutty flavor and delightful crunch. Make sure they are fresh and aromatic; stale seeds may have a bitter taste.

All-Purpose Flour

Plain, unbleached, all-purpose flour yields excellent structure and texture. Sift flour beforehand to remove lumps and improve the bread’s consistency.

Sour Cream

Sour cream imparts moisture and a slight tang, complementing lemon zest perfectly. Full-fat sour cream delivers the richest and most satisfying texture.

Essential Baking Equipment

For this quick bread recipe, you’ll need:

• 9×5 inch loaf pan: Essential for baking evenly and achieving proper shape.
• Mixing Bowls: A large bowl for mixing ingredients; smaller bowls for organizing ingredients.
• Electric Mixer: For creaming butter and sugar, incorporating air, and mixing wet ingredients evenly.
• Rubber Spatula: For folding ingredients and scraping batter into the pan.
• Zester or Microplane: To zest lemons effectively.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: For precise measurements.
• Cooling Rack: Allows for even cooling and prevents moisture buildup.

Lemon Poppy Seed Quick Bread Recipe

Now, let’s jump straight to our carefully tested recipe for perfect lemon poppy seed quick bread:

Basic Recipe Information

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 60 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Servings: 12 slices

Ingredients

Ingredient	US Measurement	Metric Measurement
Butter, room temperature	½ cup	113 grams
Granulated sugar	1 ¼ cups	250 grams
Lemon zest	1 tablespoon	1 tablespoon
Eggs (large or jumbo)	3	3
Vanilla extract	1 teaspoon	1 teaspoon
Kosher salt	1 teaspoon	1 teaspoon
Baking powder	1 teaspoon	1 teaspoon
Baking soda	½ teaspoon	½ teaspoon
Poppy seeds	1 tablespoon	1 tablespoon
All-purpose flour	2 cups	250 grams
Sour cream	¾ cup	180 grams

Preparation Instructions

1. Preheat Oven:
   Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C). Grease and lightly flour a 9×5 inch loaf pan and set aside.
2. Cream Butter and Sugar:
   In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar until fluffy and pale in color.
3. Add Eggs and Vanilla:
   Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in vanilla extract.
4. Incorporate Lemon Zest and Dry Ingredients:
   Stir in lemon zest, salt, baking powder, baking soda, and poppy seeds. Mix until thoroughly combined.
5. Add Flour and Sour Cream:
   Gradually add flour and sour cream alternately, mixing until just combined. Avoid overmixing.
6. Bake:
   Pour batter into the prepared loaf pan, smoothing the top with a spatula. Bake approximately 55-60 minutes until golden brown on top or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
7. Cooling:
   Cool the loaf in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely.

Serving Suggestions

This bread can be enjoyed warm or at room temperature. It tastes wonderful as is, or lightly toasted with butter or lemon curd. For a sweet finish, drizzle a simple lemon glaze made from powdered sugar and fresh lemon juice.

How to Store Lemon Poppy Seed Quick Bread

• Refrigerator: Store cooled bread in an airtight container or wrap tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate up to 3 days.
• Freezer: Wrap loaf or individual slices tightly in plastic wrap and freeze in an airtight freezer bag for up to 1 month.

Nutritional Information (Per Slice)

• Calories: 290 kcal
• Carbohydrates: 39 grams
• Protein: 4 grams
• Fat: 13 grams
• Saturated Fat: 8 grams
• Cholesterol: 70 mg
• Sodium: 260 mg
• Fiber: 1 gram
• Sugar: 20 grams

Baking Tips for Perfect Results

• Room Temperature Ingredients: Always use room temperature ingredients like butter, eggs, and sour cream for best texture and easy mixing.
• Don’t Overmix: Mix ingredients until just combined to prevent toughness.
• Accurate Baking: Set a timer slightly under the recommended baking time, and test doneness with a toothpick.

Conclusion

With its bright lemon flavor, satisfying poppy seed crunch, and irresistible moistness, Lemon Poppy Seed Quick Bread is an outstanding recipe to have in your baking repertoire. Whether you share it at gatherings or enjoy it quietly at home, this quick bread is sure to impress everyone.

Enjoy baking your Lemon Poppy Seed Quick Bread, and savor every slice of this delightful treat!