Vanilla-Almond Poppy Seed Loaf with Citrus Glaze

Perfected by: Valerie Bailey

Soft, fragrant, and finished with a bright citrus glaze, this Vanilla-Almond Poppy Seed Loaf brings together rich vanilla, delicate almond, and buttery notes in an easy-to-make loaf.

LorAnn flavors add bakery-style depth without overpowering the bread, while the citrus glaze provides a fresh, sweet finish. Serve it with coffee or tea, bring it to brunch, or wrap up a loaf for an easy homemade gift.

Yield: 2 standard loaves
Prep Time: 15 minutes, plus 20 minutes resting time
Bake Time: Approximately 50–60 minutes
Oven Temperature: 350°F

Ingredients

For the Loaf:

• 3 cups (375g) all-purpose flour
• 2¼ cups (450g) granulated sugar
• 1½ teaspoons (9g) fine sea salt
• 1½ teaspoons (6g) baking powder
• 2 teaspoons (8g) poppy seeds
• 3 large eggs
• 1½ cups (360ml) milk
• 1⅟ cups (270ml) vegetable oil
• 1½ teaspoons LorAnn Organic Madagascar Vanilla Extract
• ½ teaspoon LorAnn Butter Super Strength or 1½ teaspoons LorAnn Butter Bakery Emulsion
• ½ teaspoon LorAnn Almond Super Strength or 1½ teaspoons LorAnn Almond Bakery Emulsion

For the Citrus Glaze:

• ¼ cup (60ml) orange juice
• ¾ cup powdered sugar
• ¼ teaspoon LorAnn Butter Bakery Emulsion, or approximately 3 drops for a lighter flavor

Optional Garnish:

• Sliced almonds

Directions

Prepare the pans: Preheat oven to 350°F. Thoroughly grease two standard 8.5 × 4.5 in (or 7.75 x 3.75 in) loaf pans.

Reserve part of the flour: Set aside a small portion of the measured flour and combine it with the baking powder. Reserve this mixture for later.

Mix the batter: In a large mixing bowl, combine the remaining loaf ingredients and mix with an electric mixer for approximately 1–2 minutes.

Rest the batter: Allow the batter to rest for approximately 20 minutes. Add the reserved flour and baking powder mixture and mix only until the flour is incorporated, approximately 1 minute. Avoid overmixing.

Fill the pans: Divide the batter evenly between the prepared loaf pans.

Bake: Bake for approximately 50–60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Ovens vary, so begin checking the loaves around the 50–55 minute mark.

Make the glaze: Whisk together the orange juice, sifted powdered sugar, and Butter Bakery Emulsion until smooth.

Glaze and cool: Allow the loaves to cool for about 5 minutes. Remove them from the pans and drizzle the glaze over the loaves while they are still warm. Allow to stand for another 10–15 minutes, then garnish with sliced almonds if desired. For additional flavor, lightly toast the almonds for approximately 3 minutes before adding them.

🛒 Shop the Recipe at Greens Choice

Recreate the recipe with the specialty flavors and professional baking tools used to give this loaf its bakery-style finish:

Greens Choice Tip: When changing pan sizes, use the toothpick test rather than relying solely on the recipe's stated baking time.

💡Pro Tips:

• For the best citrus glaze, apply it while the loaf is still warm. This allows some of the glaze to settle into the surface while leaving a sweet finish on top.
• For cleaner, bakery-style loaves, grease your pans thoroughly and avoid overmixing once the reserved flour and baking powder are added.
• If you're using Fat Daddio's pans, dividing the batter by weight can help produce evenly sized loaves.

ℹ️Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I use Greens Choice's 7¾ × 3¾-inch Fat Daddio's loaf pans?

A: Yes. Since the pans available at Greens Choice are the 7¾ × 3¾-inch size, you'll get a slightly smaller, cuter loaf. Nothing else changes in the recipe—just begin checking for doneness a few minutes early with a toothpick.

Q: Should I use LorAnn Super Strength or Bakery Emulsion?

A: Either option can be used in this recipe. Follow the quantities listed above, since Super Strength flavoring is considerably more concentrated than Bakery Emulsion.

Q: Can I use regular vanilla or almond extract?

A: You can substitute conventional extracts, but the flavor profile and required quantity may differ. For the closest result, use the LorAnn products specified in the recipe.

Q: How should I store the LorAnn flavors?

A: Keep them tightly sealed in a cool, dry place and follow the storage instructions on the product packaging.

Q: Can I freeze the loaf?

A: Yes. Once completely cooled, wrap the loaf well and freeze for up to 3 months.