Bright, citrusy lemon poppy seed bread with a sweet glaze is a refreshing twist on classic quick bread. Slice and serve for a light family tea-time treat.
Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease a 9x5-inch loaf pan. This step ensures even baking and prevents sticking.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, poppy seeds, and salt; set aside. This evenly distributes leavening and seeds.
In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and sugar until pale and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each.
Mix in lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla extract. Alternate adding dry ingredients and milk to the wet mixture, starting and ending with flour. Stir gently until just combined.
Pour batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake for 45–50 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean. Do not overbake, as this can dry out the bread.
Cool bread in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a rack. For the glaze, whisk powdered sugar and lemon juice; drizzle over cooled bread.