Lemon-Poppy Seed Bread

andreaindc

Well-known member
Lemon-Poppy Seed Bread

Note: For anyone making this who

may not read the recipe all the way

through first (something we all know we

should do, but may not...) the lemon syrup -

step four - should be made while the cake

is baking so that it can be poured

immediately on the hot loaf.

Makes one 9-by-5 inch loaf:

3 tablespoons fresh poppy seeds

1/2 cup milk

5 tablespoons unsalted butter,

at room temp.

1 cup sugar

2 large eggs

1 1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

grated zest of 2 lemons

1/4 teaspoon salt

Lemon Syrup

1/4 cup sugar

1/4 cup fresh lemon juice

1. In a small bowl, combine the poppy

seeds and milk. Let stand for 1 hour to

macerate and meld flavors.

2. Preheat the oven to 325 F. Grease a

9-by-5 inch loaf pan or spray it with

cooking spray. Using an electric mixer,

cream the butter and sugar. Add the eggs

one at a time, beating well after each

addition. Combine the flour, baking

powder, lemon zest, and salt in a small

bowl. Add the dry ingredients to the

creamed mixture in three equal portions,

alternating with the poppy seed milk. Beat

just until smooth.

3. Pour the batter into the prepared loaf

pan and bake in the center of the oven

until golden brown and cake tester

inserted into the center of the loaf comes

out clean, about 55 to 65 minutes. Place

the loaf, still in its pan, on a rack to cool.

4. About 10 minutes before the bread is

finished baking make the Lemon Syrup:

Combine the sugar and lemon juice in a

small saucepan. Place over low heat just

until the sugar dissolves.

5. Pierce the hot loaf about a dozen times

to the bottom with a bamboo skewer,

toothpick, or metal cake tester.

Immediately pour the hot Lemon Syrup

over the loaf. Cool for 30 minutes before

turning it out of the pan onto a rack,

then turning it right side up to cool

completely. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap

and let stand at room temperature

overnight before serving.

from Beth Henspergers's The Best Quick Breads

 
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