Give me a spring garden party, a cup of tea and delicious slice of Lemon Poppy Seed Bread and the season comes alive. Another treat in the long line of my favorite quick breads, this quick and easy Lemon Poppy Seed Bread is a sweet and tart slice of spring. Let’s make this bread.
Ingredients
- All-purpose flour
- Poppy Seed
- Baking Powder
- Baking Soda
- Pinch of salt
- Unsalted butter
- Sugar
- Eggs
- Vanilla
- Zest from two lemons
- Lemon juice
- Buttermilk
- Powdered Sugar
Preparing the dry ingredients
In a bowl, add the flour, baking powder, poppy seeds, baking soda and pinch of salt. Using a fork, combine. Set aside.
Preparing the Liquid Ingredients
In a mixing bowl, beat the butter and sugar together until fluffy. Then add the eggs and vanilla, beat well.
Prepare the lemons for the liquid ingredients. Zest two lemons and juice one of them. Add to the liquid mixture and mix well. You will use the juice of the second lemon for the glaze.
Add the dry ingredients to the liquid ingredients. Mix well.
Baking the Bread
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees and prepare 2 9×5 loaf pans with baking spray and lining the bottom with parchment paper. Pour the batter into the pans and place in the over for 45-55 minutes or until a tester comes out clean. Don’t over bake these bread – they will come out dry.
Batter in Loaf Pans 
Freshly Baked Breads
Allow the breads to cool for 15 minutes. Remove from pans and allow to completely cool on baking racks.
For the glaze, which is the best part, take the powdered sugar and lemon juice from the second lemon and mix together until smooth. Take the completely cooled bread and pour over the top.
Lemon Poppy Seed Bread
Ingredients
- 3 cups all purpose flour
- 3 tbsp poppy seed
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- 1 pinch salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter at room temperature
- 2 cups sugar
- 4 eggs
- ½ tsp vanilla
- Zest from two lemons
- Juice of one lemon Save second lemon for glaze
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 cup powdered sugar To be used for glaze
Instructions
- Preheat ovent to 325°. Prepare 2 9×5 loaf pans with cooking spray, lining bottom of pan with parchment.
- In a separate bowl, place flour, poppy seed, baking soda, baking powder, and pinch of salt. Set aside.
- Using electric mixer, beat butter and sugar together until fluffy.
- Add eggs and vanilla and beat well.
- Add buttermilk, zest of 2 lemons, juice of one lemon and combine.
- Combine dry ingredients with liquid. Combine until fully incorporated.
- Pour batter into prepared pans.
- Bake for 45 – 55 minutes until tester comes out clean. Remove from oven and let cool for 15 minutes before removing breads from pans. Let continue to cool on wire rack.
Glaze
- Combine 1 cup powdered sugar and the juice from the second lemon. Whisk until smooth. Pour over breads.
72 Comments
Erin Tarango
Yum! Looks amazing!
Beth
Hi Erin – thanks for the comment and glad that you enjoyed the post!
Barbara
Looks amazing. I can smell it right now….fresh out of the oven, lemon floating in the air.
Oh yes, pass me a piece please!
Beth
Hi Barbara – Thanks for your comment. Yes, its great warm, cooled, or even chilled. Glad that you enjoyed the post.
Marianne
Yum! Anything lemon goes over wonderfully in my household. I’m adding this to the “must try” list!
Beth
Hi Marianne – thanks for your comment and glad that you enjoyed the post. Its always such a fresh flavor. Hope you get a chance to try it! Thanks.
Laurie Janssen
I love everything lemon…especially this bread, so ok, lets bake it ! I love your very clear pictures of “step-by-step” baking…I don’t always get a high dome on my tea loves, it was good to see the similarity in the pre-baked & finished bread. yumy!
Beth
Hi Laurie – Thanks so much for your comments. Yes, I have certain recipes that I struggle getting the high dome as well. Appreciate the feedback on the format. Thanks!
Barb Tharp
Can’t wait to make this, Beth! Just need some lemons! Absolutely love poppy seed bread!
Beth
Hi Barb – so glad that you enjoyed the post. Let me know how it turns out. I love it as well. Thanks for your comment.
Lee Anne
Looks great! I can’t say that i have ever had Lemon Poppyseed bread!
Beth
Hi Lee Anne – Well that just has to change! Ha. You don’t really taste the poppy seeds but for some reason its in there from several recipes I have seen. But the flavor of the lemon and the glaze is delicious. Hope you have a chance to try. Thanks for your comment and glad that you enjoyed the post.
Yvette
This is the perfect spring recipe. I love the way it smells, fresh lemony and bakery sweet all at once. Enjoyed with the perfect cup of tea on a chilly Spring morning, what could be better??
Beth
Hi Yvette – Thanks so much for your comment and yes, what better than with a cup of tea. You are speaking my language for sure. Glad that you enjoyed the post.
judean
I never used to like poppyseed. However, as I get older, I am enjoying it more. I will need to try this recipe!
Beth
Hi Judean – Well you can’t really taste the poppyseed. Its an easy recipe and I am sure you will enjoy it. Thanks for you comment and glad that you enjoyed the post.
Diane Kurzava
You had me at lemon! I love making bread (mostly because I love eating bread!) and this recipe looks delicious. Adding it to my Must Make list.
Beth
Hi Diane – Yes, I hear you for sure. I love lemon and I love backing breads and yes, I love eating them. So you can’t lose. I hope you are able to try this. Thanks for your comment and so glad that you enjoyed the post.
Lisa Maslyk
Oh I have to make this! Looks really good!
Beth
Hi Lisa – Thanks so much for your comment and glad that you enjoyed the post. Hope you have a chance to try it.
Liz
Lemon poppy seed is one of my favorites, but I’ve been dying for a good recipe! Can’t wait to try it!
Beth
Hi Liz – Yes, me too. I have tried several recipes but this one seemed to work best for me. And the addition of the glaze on top was the ticket – tart and lemony. Thanks for your comment and glad that you enjoyed the post.
Holly
Beth, I love your recipes they are always easy to make a delicious! Lem6is my favorite flavor for cakes and goodies! Thank you
Beth
Hi Holly – Thanks so much for your comment and glad that you enjoyed the post. Yes, lemon is one of my favorite flavors in anything – savory and sweet. Thanks!
Leeandra
This looks amazing. I will be trying this!
Beth
Hi Leeandra – So glad that you enjoyed the post. Thanks for your comment and hope you have a chance to try this.
Tricia Snow
You had me at lemon. I love everything about lemons and lemon flavor! And this does look so easy! Thanks for the great recipe!
Beth
Hi Tricia – Yes, I love lemons in anything as well. Hope you get to try this. Thanks for your comment and glad that you enjoyed the post.
Lisa Manderino
This looks delicious! I love lemon poppy bread!
Beth
Hi Lisa – So glad that you enjoyed the post. Anything lemon has me for sure. Thanks for your comment.
Debbie
Yum, lemon! Sounds great!
Beth
Hi Debbie – Thanks so much for your comment. Yes lemon seems to be a favorite of everyone. Glad you enjoyed the post.
Lisa
We’ve never tried anything like this. It looks amazing! Thank you for sharing.
Beth
Hi Lisa – Thank you for your comment and glad that you enjoyed the post. Its very refreshing and a nice treat for tea or coffee. Hope you have a chance to try it. Thanks.
Candy
This looks amazing! I can’t wait to try it.
Beth
Hi Candy – Thanks for your comment and glad that you enjoyed the post. Hope you are able to give it a try – let me know how it goes! Enjoy.
Charlene
My 2 favorite words in a recipe– “quick” and “easy”! Thanks for sharing this easy to follow recipe. Even someone like ME can follow, and that says a lot, ha!
Beth
Hi Charlene – Thanks so much for your comment. I intentionally try to post my recipes in the same format. Glad that it is helpful for you. And I am sure YOU can do this. Thanks and let me know if you have questions.
Sara - Seek Discover Learn
Poppy seed bread is something that reminds me of my childhood. My mom didn’t do a lot of baking from scratch, but when she did, poppy seed bread was one of the things she would make. She would make 3 loaves at a time and I would eat it for breakfast before going to school.
Beth
Hi Sara – What a sweet memory. My grandchildren have their favorites as well – and I know its becomes a breakfast bread for them as well. And then sometimes an afternoon snack! Thanks for your comments.
Santana
It’s been so long since I’ve had lemon poppyseed anything. I need to make this!
Beth
Hi Santana – Thanks for your comment. Glad you enjoyed the post and hope you have a chance to try it.
Sandi
The bread looks yummy. I love your photo compositions, they always look smart!
Beth
Hi Sandi – Thanks so much for your feedback and comments. Really appreciate them. The bread is yummy – have some sliced in the freezer – might need to pull that out. Thanks!
Kirsten
This looks so yummy! I love poppyseed bread (just not the lemon part, I know I’m weird!) And the glaze just brings it all together.
Beth
Hi Kirsten – Thanks for your comments. Hmmm…I am now on the hunt for other poppy seed breads. I would bet Almond Poppy Seed would be a great combo! And yes, for this bread, the glaze brings it altogether…but not if you don’t like lemon. On the hunt!
Cathy
I love lemon poppy seed bread! I haven’t made it in a long time, you are inspiring me to make it! Thanks!
Beth
Hi Cathy – Thanks for your comment. These are some of my spring favorites for sure. Hope you have a chance to make it. Thanks.
Tonya | the Writer Mom
This lemon poppy seed bread looks amazing!
Beth
Hi Tonya – Thanks for the comment. Glad that you enjoyed the post.
Eva Keller
The glaze makes it look like a nice sweet treat!
Beth
Hi Eva – It does and actually has a sweet and tart flavor which works well with the bread. Thanks for the comment.
Charlene
Oh my gosh, this looks amazing! I can’t wait to try this!
Beth
Hi Charlene – Thanks for your comment. And glad that you enjoyed the post. Hope you do have a chance to try it and enjoy it! Thanks.
Charlene
I did it! We made this last weekend and it was SO good! The only person who didn’t like it was my husband, but he’s not a lemon guy. That’s okay – more for the rest of us!
Beth
Hi Charlene – Thanks so much for letting me know how it worked out for you. You made my day! Glad that you enjoyed it.
Pamela
This looks delicious! Thanks for sharing!
Beth
Hi Pamela – Thanks for your comment and glad that you enjoyed the post.
Kendra
Yum! This looks great. I may try to make this soon using Gluten Free flour to satisfy my baked goods craving!
Beth
Hi Kendra – Yes, please do and let me know how it works out. I am always on the hunt for new gluten free approaches. Many people ask for them. Thanks for your comment and glad that you enjoyed the post.
Michele
This looks delicious! I love lemon : )
Beth
Hi Michele – So glad that you enjoyed the post. Thanks for your comment.
Alice
Wow does this sound yummy and easy to make!!!
Beth
Hi Alice – yes it is yummy and easy. Glad that you enjoyed the post and hope you have a chance to make it! Thanks for your comment.
Tiffany
My husband would LOVE this – I should see if I could pull this off! I am not a fan of poppy seed but I am a fan of lemon, so I will have to taste test it!
Beth
Hi Tiffany – So glad that you enjoyed the post. I don’t really taste the poppy seed in there but the lemon for sure. Give it a try and I am sure it would work just as well without the poppy seeds. Let me know how it works out! Thanks for your comment.
Ruth Iaela-Pukahi
I always love a quick and easy recipe! And this looks delicious. I don’t have any bread pans for some reason…I used to. Can I cook this in a cake pan?
Beth
Hi Ruth – I bet that you could try an 8×8 or a round cake pan. I haven’t tried it but I bet it would work. Let me know how it turns out! Thanks for your comment.
Cindy
I’ll bet those loaves smell wonderful as they bake! I love lemon anything.
Beth
Hi Cindy – Yes, they do and are pretty hard to resist. They go into the freezer or are gifted! Thanks for your comment.
Tara Hallie
I love quick breads, specifically Lemon Poppyseed so this is fantastic! Thanks for the recipe!
Beth
Hi Tara – So glad that you enjoyed the post and the Lemon Poppy Seed recipe – yes one of my favorites for sure. Enjoy! Thanks.