Glazed Poppyseed Bread

This delectable poppy seed bread is seriously drool-worthy.  My mouth is literally watering just looking at the picture.  The bread itself is pretty tasty, but once you add the slightly tangy, mildly crunchy glaze on top, it becomes practically irresistible.  And honestly, I kind of love that my loaf pans make the edges cook up a little too fast so that I get those corners where the glaze pools.  "Oh, children, you don't want the end piece?  Don't worry, I will sacrifice and eat it for you."  I'm such a selfless mother. 

Glazed Poppyseed Bread

Time to Prepare: 1 hour 20 minutes
Number of Servings: 2 loaves

• 3 eggs
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 2 1/4 cups sugar
• 3 cups flour
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1 1/2 cups milk
• 1 1/2 tsp almond extract
• 1 1/2 tsp butter flavoring (or 1 Tbsp melted butter)
• 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 3 Tbsp poppy seeds
• 1/4 cup orange juice
• 3/4 cup sugar (yes, granulated)
• 3/4 tsp almond extract
• 3/4 tsp butter flavoring (or 1/2 Tbsp melted butter)
• 3/4 tsp vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Grease and flour two loaf pans and set aside. 

In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs and oil.  In a medium bowl, whisk together the 2 1/4 cups sugar, flour, salt, and baking powder.

Add 1/3 of the dry ingredients to the egg mixture and whisk to combine.   Add about 1/2 the milk and stir.  Whisk in another 1/3 of the dry ingredients, followed by the last half of the milk.  Add the last 1/3 of the dry ingredients and mix well.  Stir in the 1 1/2 tsp almond extract, 1 1/2 tsp butter flavoring, 1 1/2 tsp vanilla, and poppy seeds.

Pour the batter into the prepared pans (should be about 2/3 to 3/4 full).   Bake at 350 degrees for about 50-60 minutes.  Bread is done when a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out with moist crumbs.

While the bread is baking, whisk together the orange juice, 3/4 cup sugar, 3/4 tsp almond extract, 3/4 tsp butter flavoring, and 3/4 tsp vanilla in a small bowl. 

Once the bread is done, let it sit in the pan for 5 minutes.  Run a knife around the edge of the pan and carefully remove to a wire rack set over paper towels.  While bread is still warm, brush it liberally with the glaze, making sure to use all of the glaze.

Produce Used: Orange
Source: very slightly adapted from Mel's Kitchen Cafe