Lemon Poppy Seed Quick Bread

This Lemon Poppy Seed Quick Bread is sure to brighten up your day. It is tender and moist, bursting with that delicious lemon flavor with the right amount of sweetness.  This recipe is quick and easy to make.  It is perfect to serve with a cup of tea, or to give as a gift. 

Ingredients

2 c. flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/8 tsp. salt
1 (3.4 oz.) box lemon pudding (optional)
1/2 c. milk
1 1/2 tsp. vinegar
1/2 c. butter, softened
1 1/4 c. sugar
3 eggs
1/2 c. lemon juice
1 1/2 Tbs. poppy seeds

Glaze

1/2 c. powdered sugar
4 Tbs. lemon juice

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°. Grease and flour one 9 x 5-inch loaf pan.

In a bowl, sift flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and lemon pudding mix. Set aside.

In a measuring cup, mix milk and vinegar together.  All the mixture to sit for about 10 minutes to get sour milk. 

In a large mixing bowl, combine butter and sugar. Beat on medium speed for 2 to 3 minutes, or until light and fluffy.

Beat in eggs, one at a time. Mix thoroughly.

Pour in the lemon juice.  Don't worry that the mixture looks curdled, it is supposed to be that way.

On low speed, mix in half of the flour mixture. Then mix in half of the soured milk. Repeat this step again for the remainder of the flour and milk.  Only mix until the ingredients are incorporated, but do not over mix or the bread will be tough. 

Stir in poppy seeds.

Bake for 60 to 75 minutes, until the top is golden brown or when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Toward the end of baking time, start making the glaze.  

In a bowl, combine powdered sugar and lemon juice. Beat until smooth.

Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then remove the bread and place on a cooling rack.

While the bread is still warm, poke holes in the top using a knife. Be sure to go almost to the bottom of the loaf to ensure the glaze gets right into the bread.

Pour the lemon juice and sugar mixture over the warm bread. Let the bread sit until completely cool.  

Notes

Have all ingredients at room temperature for better results. 

If you don't want to use that much lemon juice, cut it back some. Try using less to see if the lemon taste is right for you.

You can add a box of lemon pudding. This helps with the over all flavor and texture. However, it is just as good without the lemon pudding mix if you don't have any.