It’s citrus season and I’m loving all of it! Blood orange, lemon, grapefruit, lime… I love how bright and tart all of the flavors are. Not only is the flavor amazing, but the brightness reminds me of summer and gives me something to look forward to in these cold winter days. This blood orange poppyseed quick bread is dense and moist, topped with a sweet tart blood orange glaze. I think I have a bad habit of assuming desserts with fruit are healthy, but I would say this loaf is a little better for you than a giant piece of rich cake. Maybe…😁 Enjoy a thick slice with breakfast or sneaking in a few afternoon bites.

In case you’re wondering, quick bread is the same as loaf or bread. It’s just a baked bread with baking soda/baking powder instead of yeast.

It’s Friday Junior and I’m looking forward to doing some more baking this weekend. Valentine’s Day is on the mind since that is only a few weeks away and I still need to plan cookie designs, but I’m thinking this citrus bread might be the perfect thing. Pink glaze and bright flavor.

Remember when bread was such a big hit at the beginning of covid? I feel like this should definitely be added to the list of “weekend activities” because it’s super easy and perfect for being stuck inside with cold weather. I can say it’s been cold in Denver, but not much snow lately. And by cold, I mean about 40s.

I’ve found myself craving cake a lot each day, but a few bites of this bread will satisfy everything (even if you’re on a diet).

what you need

• Flour
• Baking powder
• Cardamom
• Cinnamon
• Salt
• Sugar
• Blood Oranges
• Eggs
• Oil
• Vanilla extract
• Sour cream
• Poppyseeds
• Powdered sugar

how to make the quick bread

This blood orange poppyseed bread is about as easy as it sounds. Quick. Simple. 2 bowls. I love citrus year round, but blood orange is really best this time of year. They’re pretty hard to find after the beginning of the year, but you could definitely substitute normal orange, grapefruit, or even lemon.

Spray your loaf pan with non-stick spray or butter. I love my silicone loaf pan so much because nothing ever sticks and it’s so easy to just pop the loaf right out. Grab one here! I love my other pans, but this is the most practical kitchen tool I own!

Mix flour, baking powder, and spices in a medium bowl. Set aside.

Add sugar and blood orange zest to a small bowl and mix together with your fingers. This will help the oils to combine with sugar and make the flavor pop.

Add sugar, eggs, and vanilla to a large bowl. Beat vigorously until pale and fluffy. You can use a mixer or a whisk for this. Next, mix in the oil and blood orange juice until combined.

Alternately add your flour mixture and sour cream. Flour, mix, sour cream, mix, and ending with sour cream again. Lastly, fold in the poppy seeds until evenly added. (1 tbsp doesn’t seem like a lot, but it will be)

Pour the batter into the loaf pan. Give it a few taps to even it out and get rid of the bubbles. Bake for 55-60 minutes until golden and a toothpick comes out clean. Mine seemed to take a bit longer, so continue adding 5-10 minute increments and checking if yours isn’t fully baked. The size of your bread pan can also affect the baking time.

inspiration

I kept seeing a bunch of citrus loaves all over my instagram and had to put it to the test. Absolutely amazing! Extremely moist, dense, and that little bit of tang makes the perfect balance.

I am of course a big carb lover, especially bread, so how could I say no? I mean, it’s really hard to go wrong.

Along with that, the light pink color reminded me of upcoming Valentine’s Day and knew it would be some good content for you guys.

meet the sweet blood orange glaze

This tart pink glaze could really go on anything, but adding it to the bread creates a good balance of super sweet and tart with mild and moist. It also reminds me of the lemon loaf at Starbucks, but wayyy better, duh.

Add your blood orange juice and powdered sugar to a small bowl and give it a good whisk until smooth. Depending on the thickness you want to achieve, you might want to add more or less powdered sugar. Keep in mind, you don’t want to add too much, otherwise the sugar just takes over, and its tastes like sugary glue.

Drizzle that goodness right over the cooled loaf and enjoy!

Want more delicious citrus recipes? Here are my favorite (Shhh, another one coming soon):

• Blood Orange Bundt Cake
• Zesty Blood Orange Macarons
• Tangy Lemon Sugar Cookies Bars (my absolute favorite)
• Mini Lemon Cheesecakes

Did you make this blood orange poppyseed quick bread? I’d love to hear or see about it! Let me know below or on Instagram @tuesday.treats. I love seeing your creations.

Check out my video on how to make the bread on my instagram!