Almond Poppy Seed Quick Bread: Our Bakery-Style Secret!

Almond Poppy Seed Quick Bread

Almond Poppy Seed Quick Bread holds such a cherished spot in my baking heart, instantly whisking me back to those lazy Sunday mornings, enveloped by the intoxicating aroma wafting from our beloved local bakery. For years, I was on a quest for *that* perfect slice – moist, tender, and with just the right balance of sweetness, often finding my homemade attempts fell short of the bakery’s magic.

My kitchen became a laboratory of quick bread adventures, where I wrestled with countless recipes, sometimes feeling like I was trying to saddle a particularly stubborn unicorn; I’ve explored everything from perfecting a simple one-bowl banana bread to even experimenting with options like easy banana bread with cake mix when time was short. Then, after one truly memorable baking session where a friendly squirrel outside my window led to an accidental, generous splash more almond extract, something truly magical unfolded for this poppy seed dream.

This recipe is the glorious culmination of that happy accident and a few other ‘family secrets’ I’ve lovingly gathered along the way. It’s wonderfully light, incredibly tender, and that luxurious almond flavor, complemented by the delicate crunch of poppy seeds and a simple, sweet glaze, truly elevates this Almond Poppy Seed Quick Bread (Better Than the Bakery) beyond anything you’ve tasted before – a warm hug in loaf form!

Almond Poppy Seed Quick Bread: Our Bakery-Style Secret!

Recipe by MayaCourse: BreakfastCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy

Servings

4

servings

Prep time

30

minutes

Cooking time

40

minutes

Calories

300

kcal

Achieve bakery-quality perfection with this incredibly moist and flavorful Almond Poppy Seed Quick Bread, topped with a simple sweet glaze. An easy recipe for any home baker!

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour

• 1 cup granulated sugar

• 1 tablespoon poppy seeds

• 1 teaspoon baking powder

• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

• 1/4 teaspoon salt

• 1 cup plain full-fat yogurt (or sour cream)

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled

• 2 large eggs

• 2 teaspoons almond extract

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• For the Glaze:

• 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

• 2-3 tablespoons milk (or heavy cream)

• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract

Directions

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×5 inch loaf pan, or line with parchment paper.
• In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, poppy seeds, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
• In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the yogurt (or sour cream), melted butter, eggs, almond extract, and vanilla extract until well combined.
• Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Mix with a spatula or wooden spoon just until *barely* combined. Be careful not to overmix; a few lumps are okay!
• Pour the batter evenly into your prepared loaf pan.
• Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. If the top browns too quickly, you can loosely tent it with foil.
• Let the bread cool in the pan on a wire rack for 10-15 minutes before carefully inverting it onto the rack to cool completely.
• While the bread cools, prepare the glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk (starting with 2 tablespoons and adding more if needed for desired consistency), and almond extract until smooth.
• Once the bread is completely cool, drizzle the glaze generously over the top. Let the glaze set before slicing and serving.

Notes

• A Family Secret: Don’t overmix! Seriously, this is the golden rule for moist quick bread. Overmixing develops the gluten too much, leading to a tough, dry loaf. Mix until just combined, even if there are a few streaks of flour.
• Kitchen Wisdom: Using full-fat yogurt or sour cream is key for that incredibly tender, moist crumb. The extra fat and acidity work wonders, giving you that bakery-style richness. Don’t skimp here!
• Pro Tip: For an extra burst of flavor and visual appeal, sprinkle a few slivered almonds on top of the glaze right after drizzling. It adds a lovely texture and makes it look extra fancy!