Lemon-Poppy Seed Bread

Bread Challenge Week 25

Maddy loves sour fruit. Lemons and limes are a special treat to her. I think she is crazy. There have been several times that she has tried to dive into someones mixed drink to get the lemon or lime wedge from the side of the glass. So when I made lemon-poppy seed quick bread this last week she was thrilled. Once again I used my trusty Better Homes and Gardens New Cookbook, following the Lemon Bread recipe and using the Lemon-Poppy Seed Bread variation.

Since this is a quick bread recipe it is by definition fast. I used fresh squeezed lemon juice and even with the additional time squeezing it still only took about 15 minutes to get the batter together. After a few minutes in the oven the house was filled with the scent of lemon. I love the way citrus fruit smells. Ahhh, lemon bread baking smells so delicious.

We loved this bread. Maddy and I ate almost the whole loaf by ourselves. The poppy seeds gave the bread a nice slight crunch and the bread has a nice lemon flavor. There was definitely more sugar in this bread than I would have liked and since it was all while flour this is definitely a treat. The recipe included an optional lemon and sugar glaze, which I opted not to do. With 3/4 cups sugar in the batter I just couldn’t bring myself to add another 2 tablespoons. The bread was moist and plenty sweet so I don’t regret my choice.

The recipe is easy to follow and includes variations that include almonds or poppy seeds. All of the ingredients are household ingredients. This bread was good, but if I am honest it was a little more like cake than bread. If I were to make this again I would probably try to cut back on the sugar and white flour. As a treat though, I definitely recommend this bread.

Flavor: 5
Hands on time: 5
Total time: 4
Recipe: 5
Versatility: 3
Make it again: 3
Catherine: 1
Luke: 1
Maddy: 1

Total Score: 28
(what is this Bread Challenge and how are recipes scored?)

Previous Bread Challenge reviews:
Sourdough – Week 24
Tortillas – Week 23
Honey Wheat Hamburger Buns – Week 22
Garlic Studded Baguette – Week 21
Quinoa Bread – Week 20
Asiago Herb and Garlic Bread – Week 19
Cranberry Pecan Rye Bread – Week 18
Rotis – Whole Wheat Unleavened Bread- Week 17
Farmhouse White Loaf – Week 16
Honey Whole Wheat Slow Cooker Bread – Week 15
The Easiest Loaf of Bread You’ll Ever Bake – Week 14
Hot Cross Buns – Week 13
100% Whole Wheat Bread – Week 12
Thin Wheat Crackers – Week 11
Irish Soda Bread – Week 10
Double Blueberry Muffins – Week 9
Oatmeal Batter Bread – Week 8
Whole Wheat Dinner Rolls – Week 7
Cheesy Pretzels – Week 6
Light Rye Bread – Week 5
Country-Style Whole-Wheat Pita – Week 4
Carrot Raisin Quick Bread – Week 3
Potato Bread – Week 2
Focaccia – Week 1