Home » Breads » High Altitude Lemon Poppy Seed Bread with Lemon Glaze Icing

High Altitude Lemon Poppy Seed Bread with Lemon Glaze Icing

This High Altitude Lemon Poppy Seed Bread with Lemon Glaze Icing is a burst of sunshine in every bite. Moist, tender, and kissed with the perfect balance of sweet and tart, this loaf will have your kitchen smelling like a citrus dream. There’s something magical about the combination of bright lemon and the subtle nuttiness of poppy seeds.

Whether you’re enjoying it with a cup of tea or as a quick treat to brighten your day, this bread is irresistibly good.

homemade high altitude lemon oppy seed bread with lemon icing glaze sliced on a white serving tray

Looking for other quick bread recipes? Try out these other HIGH ALTITUDE RECIPES…fresh Apple Bread with Cinnamon Streusel, Pumpkin Bread with Chocolate Chips, Pumpkin Bread with Streusel topping, and moist Sour Cream Banana Bread.

a whole loaf of high altitude poppy seed bread with lemon icing glaze

High Altitude Baking:

I make this Lemon Poppy Seed bread at 8,000 ft elevation. If you are making this recipe at a higher or lower altitude than check out HIGH ALTITUDE BAKING ADJUSTMENTS for tips on adjusting this original recipe for your altitude.

For baking at sea level, I would suggest the following changes:

  • Increase SUGAR to 1 cup
  • Decrease LEMON EXTRACT to 1 teaspoon
  • Decrease BUTTERMILK to 1 cup
  • Decrease ALL PURPOSE FLOUR to 2 1/4 cup
  • Increase BAKING POWDER to 2 teaspoons
  • Decrease OVEN TEMPERATURE to 350° F
  • Increase BAKE TIME to 55-60 minutes
lemon poppyseed loaf with easy lemon glaze icing and thin sliced fresh lemons on a white serving tray and blue towel

What is poppy seed bread?

Poppy seed bread is a type of quick bread that contains poppy seeds. Quick breads are breads made without yeast and don’t require any resting or kneading. The poppy seeds in the bread add a subtle nutty flavor and speckled appearance.

Poppy seed breads often include a citrus flavor, such as lemon or orange in the form of zest and juice.

Poppy seed bread is often served at breakfast or brunch and paired with tea or coffee for the perfect morning treat.

Why you’ll love this recipe:

  • FRESH LEMON FLAVOR balanced with nutty poppy seeds
  • PERFECTLY MOIST TEXTURE adapted for baking at higher elevation
  • SIMPLE INGREDIENTS and easy-to-follow directions
  • SWEET LEMON GLAZE adds a professional, bakery-style finish
  • PERFECT RECIPE that makes a beautiful gift or centerpiece for brunch gatherings
lemon poppyseed loaf with easy lemon glaze icing and thin sliced fresh lemons on a white serving tray  surrounded by fresh lemons

Recommended tools:

  • LARGE BOWL and a whisk or bowl of a stand mixer to prepare the bread batter
  • SMALL BOWL to combine the icing in
  • WIRE RACK to cool the bread before icing and cutting it
  • ZESTER or the smallest side of a box grater for fresh zest
  • CAKE TESTER or a simple toothpick to check if the bread is done
  • OPTIONAL: PARCHMENT PAPER to line the bread pan or simply use butter and flour to prevent the bread from sticking

Check out all of my favorite kitchen products!

Ingredients:

Lemon Poppy Seed Loaf:

  • ALL PURPOSE FLOUR creates the base for the loaf of bread. NOTE: I have not tried this with any other kind of bread.
  • WHITE SUGAR to balance the tangy citrus with a bit of sweetness
  • MELTED BUTTER and BUTTERMILK for a richness and tender texture
  • LARGE EGGS to hold the bread batter together. For best results the eggs should be at room temperature.
  • LEMON ZEST, FRESH LEMON JUICE, LEMON EXTRACT for the beautiful citrus flavor throughout the whole loaf. NOTE: bottled lemon juice works also
  • BAKING POWDER and BAKING SODA for the perfect rise without any sinking
  • SALT helps to enhance and balance all the flavor
  • POPPY SEEDS for a subtle nutty flavor

Lemon Icing Glaze:

  • POWDERED SUGAR is the base of the icing
  • LEMON JUICE adds the moisture and creates the perfect flavor
high altitude lemon poppy seed ad lemon glaze icing ingredients in bowls

How to make Lemon Poppyseed Bread:

Lemon Poppyseed Loaf:

  1. Position your oven rack to the lower third of the oven and preheat to 350° F
  2. Prepare the bread pan with parchment paper or butter and flour (see below in FAQs for directions)
  3. Whisk together the melted butter, sugar, eggs, lemon zest, lemon juice, lemon extract and buttermilk.
  4. Slowly add the remaining dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Blend the ingredients together only until they are all incorporated. Don’t overmix. The mixture will be thick and creamy.
  5. Gently fold the poppy seeds into the batter by hand.
  6. Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan.
  7. Bake for 55 minutes or until the top of the bread is golden brown and slightly cracked.
  8. Test the center of the bread by inserting a cake tester into the middle of the bread. The cake tester should come out clean when the bread is done.
  9. Allow the bread to cool completely on a wire rack before adding any icing

Lemon Glaze Icing:

  1. In a small bowl add the powdered sugar and lemon juice. NOTE: add the lemon juice 1 tablespoon at a time until the right consistency is reached.
  2. Spread over the cooled loaf.
  3. For a finishing touch add thin slices of fresh lime to the top of the loaf.
lemon poppyseed loaf with easy lemon glaze icing and thin sliced fresh lemons on a white serving tray  surrounded by fresh lemons

FAQs:

How to grease and flour a pan:

Use a pastry brush or a paper towel to spread a thin layer of butter to the entire inside of the pan. Be sure to get the corners for best results. Then add a small amount of flour to the pan. Evenly spread the flour by gently tapping and tilting the pan until the flour has coated the entire pan. Tap any excess or loose flour out of the pan.

a thin layer of butter spread over the entire inside of the pan with a pastry brush or paper towel
a thin layer of butter spread over the entire inside of the pan with a pastry brush or paper towel
flour coating the entire inside of the pan without any excess or loose flour in the pan
flour coating the entire inside of the pan without any excess or loose flour in the pan

How to make buttermilk at home?

Buttermilk is incredibly easy to make at home. All you need is milk and white vinegar or freshly squeezed lemon juice. This recipe calls for 1 1/4 cup of milk or buttermilk.

  1. Grab a measuring cup.
  2. Pour 1 1/4 tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice into the measuring cup.
  3. Pour the milk into the measuring cup until it measures 1 1/4 cup.
  4. Stir the milk and lemon juice or vinegar then let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes. This will allow the milk to become acidic and can be used in place of buttermilk.

How long is poppy seed bread good for:

If stored properly, poppy seed bread is for up to 1 week. First allow the poppy seed bread to cool completely then place in an airtight container and store at room temperature.

How to freeze poppy seed bread:

Poppy seed bread can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months. Be sure to wrap the cooled bread tightly with plastic wrap and aluminum foil or place in a freezer Ziploc bag. Thaw the bread overnight in the refrigerator or at room temperature.

Why put poppy seeds in bread?

Poppy seeds add a unique flavor and texture to bread. They have a subtly nutty flavor that enhances a bread’s flavor, especially with citrus flavored breads. Poppy seeds also add a very slight crunch for a more interesting texture.

Do you have to soak poppy seeds before baking?

No, it is not necessary to soak poppy seeds prior to baking. Soaking poppy seeds in warm water or milk will soften the outer layer of the poppy seed. Often poppy seeds are added to recipes for an added texture of the slight crunch when eaten.

slices of a lemon poppy seed loaf with lemon icing glaze

Variations and Substitutions:

Orange Poppy Seed Bread

Easily exchange the lemon juice, zest, and extract for a whole new Orange Poppy Seed Bread.

Vanilla Glaze Icing

If you prefer a plain or vanilla glaze icing for your poppy seed bread, simply exchange the lemon juice with milk. For the added vanilla flavor, simply add just a splash of vanilla extract.

How to thicken or thin the sweet glaze:

In a small bowl add the powdered sugar and lemon juice. Add the lemon juice 1 tablespoon at a time until the right consistency is reached. To thin the glaze add additional lemon juice. To thicken the glaze add additional powdered sugar or simply don’t add in all the lemon juice.

a loaf of lemon poppy seed bread topped with lemon icing and thin slices of fresh lemon with 3 bread slices cut on a white serving platter

Other high altitude recipes:

High Altitude Breakfast Recipes

High Altitude Bread Recipes

High Altitude Dessert Recipes

high altitude poppy seed bread with lemon glaze icing

High Altitude Lemon Poppy Seed Bread with Lemon Glaze Icing

Moist, tender, and kissed with the perfect balance of sweet and tart. This High Altitude Lemon Poppy Seed Bread with Lemon Glaze Icing is a burst of sunshine in every bite.
Print Pin Rate
Course: Breads, Breakfast
Cuisine: American
Keyword: lemon, lemon poppy seed bread, poppy seed
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 55 minutes
Servings: 1 loaf
Author: Rebekah S.

Equipment

  • Large bowl and whisk
  • Small bowl
  • Wire rack
  • Zester or box grater
  • Cake tester or toothpick
  • Parchment paper optional

Ingredients

Lemon Poppy Seed Loaf

  • 2 ½ cups all purpose flour
  • 1 cup minus 2 tbsp white sugar
  • ½ cup unsalted butter melted
  • 1 ¼ cups buttermilk
  • 2 large eggs at room temperature
  • 1 tbsp lemon zest packed, 2-3 medium lemons
  • 3 tbsp lemon juice fresh or bottled
  • 1 ½ tsp lemon extract
  • ¾ tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp baking soda
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 3 tbsp poppy seeds

Lemon Glaze Icing

  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 2-4 tbsp lemon juice

Instructions

Lemon Poppy Seed Loaf

  • Position the oven rack to the lower third of the oven and preheat the oven to 350° F.
  • Prepare the bread pan with parchment paper or lightly coat the inside of the pan with butter then flour.
  • Whisk together the melted butter, sugar, eggs, lemon zest, lemon juice, lemon extract and buttermilk.
  • Slowly add the remaining dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Blend the ingredients together only until they are all incorporated. Don’t overmix. The mixture will be thick and creamy.
  • Gently fold the poppy seeds into the batter by hand.
  • Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan.
  • Bake for 55 minutes or until the top of the bread is golden brown and slightly cracked.
  • Test the center of the bread by inserting a cake tester into the middle of the bread. The cake tester will come out clean when the bread is done.
  • Allow the bread to cool completely on a wire rack before adding any icing or slicing the bread..

Lemon Glaze Icing

  • In a small bowl add the powdered sugar and lemon juice. Add the lemon juice 1 tablespoon at a time until the right consistency is reached.
  • Spread or drizzle over the cooled loaf.
  • For a finishing touch adds thin slices of fresh lime to the top of the loaf.

Notes

Homemade Buttermilk: Add 1 1/4 tablespoon vinegar to a measuring cup. Add whole milk into the measuring cup until it measures 1 1/4 cup. Stir and let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes. 
Storage: allow the bread to cool completely then place in an airtight container and store at room temperature for up to 1 week. Or place in freezer for up to 3 months. 
Orange Poppy Seed Bread: Easily exchange the lemon juice, extract, and zest with orange for a new whole bread recipe. 
 

Nutrition

Serving: 1loaf

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating