MessestoMemories: LEMON POPPY SEED BREAD

Now that the temperatures are starting to cool down... I'm so excited to be baking a little bread, a little more often. This bread is actually one that I never made growing up because it was my brother's favorite. So he always made it! I actually kind of forgot about it until I was craving something sweet, but not too sweet! Lemon Poppy Seed Bread is the perfect treat!

What makes this bread so great is... well... 2 things.

First, the fact that it has just a little hint of almond. The smell of almond is absolutely heavenly from the very second you open the little bottle of almond extract. And when its baking... Mmm, even more so!

And second, the secret is in the amazing glaze! It's a strong glaze, made with orange juice and sugar, of course! You pour the glaze on when it is about 5-10 minutes out of the oven (still warm).

Then you let the bread cool down and the glaze makes the crust perfectly crispy and sweet, while inside, the bread is soft and moist and delicious. And just a little bit sweet and almond-y!

Lemon Poppy Seed Bread

Ingredients:

3 cups flour

1 1/2 tsp salt

1 1/2 tsp baking powder

2 1/2 cups sugar

1 1/2 cups milk

1 cup oil

1 1/2 Tbs poppy seeds

3 eggs

1 1/2 tsp vanilla

1 1/4 tsp almond extract

For the Glaze:

3/4 cups sugar

1/4 cup orange juice

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

1/2 tsp almond Extract

2 Tbs butter

Directions:

1. For the bread: combine all ingredients in listed order, blending thoroughly after each addition.

2. Grease and flour your bread pans and divide the batter evenly between to bread pans. Bake @ 350 for 65-75 mins. Remove from oven when the edges are golden and a knife inserted comes out clean.

3. Whisk together the glaze ingredients. Cool bread for 5-10 minutes. Drizzle glaze over warm bread.

4. Let cool completely before slicing to allow the glaze to set up. Serve with a cool glass of milk! Enjoy!!!