Lemon Poppy Seed Sweet Bread

A tender crumbed slightly sweet bread full of bright lemon flavor and poppy seeds, this lemon poppy seed loaf is perfect with a smear of butter or a wedge of goats' cheese.

We are all about citrus this #SundaySupper!  Our host for this Easter Sunday is the delightful Jen from Juanita’s Cocina and, like me, she would choose lemony desserts over chocolate ones.  Because we are special like that.  When I read the theme for this week, I knew I wanted to bake bread because I am still in Providence visiting my daughters and I can buy fresh yeast at the neighborhood market.  I just love that stuff!  I’ve called this sweet bread because it’s got some sugar, but it’s not cinnamon-roll-sweet-dough sweet, if you know what I mean.  The sugar is just enough to offset the tart lemon juice and zest.  This loaf is delicious with a smear of butter or to accompany a wedge of goats’ cheese.  I wish I could bottle the aroma as it bakes.

Ingredients
1 packet (1/4oz or 7g) active dry yeast or .6oz or 17g cube fresh yeast
3 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon sugar
3/4 cup or 180ml very warm water
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 cups or 375g flour
1 egg plus 1 yolk (We’ll use the white to glaze before baking.)
3 tablespoons lemon juice
1/4 cup or 60g butter, melted then cooled
Grated zest from 1 large lemon
2 tablespoons poppy seeds plus extra for sprinkling, if desired

Method
Put yeast in a large mixing bowl with 1 teaspoon sugar and pour in the warm water. Let stand until foamy, about 5 minutes, then add in the vanilla. (If yeast doesn't foam, discard and start over with new yeast.)

Nice and foamy.  The brown is from the vanilla.

Add in one-third of the flour and the rest of the sugar.  Mix well.

Divide your second egg and save the white in a small bowl.  Add the melted butter, the other whole egg plus the yolk to the batter.  Mix well.

Then add the lemon juice and lemon zest and poppy seeds and mix again.

Add in the last two cups of flour, one at a time, mixing with each addition.

When the dough gets too stiff to use a spoon, turn it out onto the counter top and mix by hand.

Continue kneading until the dough is elastic and supple.

Put in a greased bowl (use butter or canola oil) and let rise in a warm, draft-free place until doubled in bulk, 30 minutes - 1 hour.

Before rising.

After the first rise.

Punch down and divide in half.

Make two sausage shaped rolls with the dough and then twist them together.

Tuck the ends under.

Put your loaf on a greased baking sheet.  Allow to rise again in a warm place until almost doubled – another 30 minutes – 1 hour.   I set mine on top of the oven because I had vegetables roasting in it for dinner.  If you don’t already have something cooking in our oven, when the time is almost up, preheat your oven to 350°F or 180°C.

Whisk your egg white with a fork or small whisk and brush it on the loaf with a pastry brush or clean paint brush.  Sprinkle with extra poppy seeds if desired.  I know it looks like the poppy seeds are showing and extra wouldn't be necessary, but somehow when they bake, the inside ones don't show as much.

Bake your loaf in the preheated oven about 30 minutes or until it is golden brown and sounds hollow when you thump it.

Enjoy!

As you read this, I will be high above you, winging my way back to Dubai, leaving my baby girls behind.  I am sad thinking about it since I won't see them again till graduation time in June. I wish you all many blessings for Easter.  Please pray for traveling mercies, if you are so inclined. 

And make sure to have a look at all the fabulous citrusy recipes the Sunday Supper group have made for you today!

Better with Citrus Breakfasts:
Orange Ricotta Pancakes from Gotta Get Baked

Big On Citrus Breads & Condiments:
Honey Lime Dressing from Ruffles & Truffles Lemon Poppyseed Sweet Bread from Food Lust People Love
Meyer Lemon Pistachio Loaf from The Girl in the Little Red Kitchen
Moroccan Preserved Lemons from MarocMama

Make You Pucker Salads, Sides, & Main Dishes:
Ceviche from Cookistry
Cilantro Lime Rice from Crazy Foodie Stunts
Citrus Ginger Chicken from Kudos Kitchen
Easy Indian Lemon Chicken from Soni’s Food
Grilled Orange & Lime Chicken Thighs from Big Bear’s Wife
Meyer Lemon-Garlic Shrimp & Asparagus with Brown Rice from Daily Dish Recipes
Orange Chicken from Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
Red Cabbage and Red Pepper Salad with Citrus Dressing from Family Foodie
Seared Cod with Grapefruit Fennel Slaw from Magnolia Days
Tangy Lemon Rice with Grated Mango & Roasted Cashew from Sue’s Nutrition Buzz

Sour Citrusy Sweets & Desserts:
Blood Orange Sorbet from My Cute Bride
Broiled Oranges with Toasted Coconut from Neighborfood
Clementine Curd from Small Wallet Big Appetite
Creamsicle Cupcakes from The Meltaways
Dairyfree Key Lime Meringue Bliss from The Not So Cheesy Kitchen
Fresh Lemon Mousse from Comfy Cuisine
Frozen Lemon Dessert from Gourmet Drizzles
Gluten Free Orange Pound Cake from Simply Gourmet
Honey and Lemon Cake from Happy Baking Days
Key Lime Biscotti from Juanita’s Cocina
Key Lime Cheesecake from Flour on My Face
Key Lime Cookie Bars from Supper for a Steal
Key Lime Truffles from What Smells So Good?
Lemon Blueberry Polenta Cake from Vintage Kitchen Notes
Lemon Coconut Cinnamon Rolls from Chocolate Moosey
Lemon Cookies from Basic N Delicious
Lemon Cream Pie Push Pops from Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
Lemon Layer Cake from Crispy Bits & Burnt Ends
Lemon Ricotta Cake from The Urban Mrs.
Meyer Lemon Snack Cake with Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting from Peanut Butter and Peppers
Mini Meyer Lemon Pies from Cravings of a Lunatic
Mini Orange Cream & Lemon Cream Scones from The Foodie Army Wife
No-Bake Lemon Cheese Cakes w/Blueberry-Lemon Sauce from Momma’s Meals
Olive Oil Cake with Orange Marmalade from Hip Foodie Mom
Omiyage California Citrus Cake from Ninja Baking
Orange Cake with Orange Syrup from The Lovely Pantry
Pink Grapefruit Pie from In the Kitchen With Audrey and Maurene
Pink Lemonade Pound Cake from In the Kitchen with KP
Sugar-Free Lemon Meringue Pie from Webicurean
Tarte au Citron from That Skinny Chick Can Bake

Sour Sips & Drinks:
{DIY} Arancello and Limoncello from girlichef
Orange Creamsicle Smoothies from Mama.Mommy.Mom