• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Jalapenos & Anchovies

  • Home
  • About
  • Recipe Index
  • FAQ
  • Comment Policy
  • Good Reads

Lemon Poppy Seed Bread

February 7, 2020 by Julie Leave a Comment

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

Lemon Poppy Seed Bread

Since the recent uptick in Bernie Sanders’ polling, we’ve seen a spate of articles gossiping talking around the supposed fact that former President Obama hates him and wants to stop him from receiving the Democratic nomination this summer. 

lemons and poppy seeds for bread

These articles are all vague, with lots of conjecture and few direct quotes, but for the sake of this post alone we’ll assume without question, just for a minute, that the underlying premise is true. For the sake of argument, we’ll accept that Obamaworld hates Sanders and thinks he’ll be terrible for the party, okay fine; but have you noticed that no one ever spells out exactly why? 

lemon poppy seed bread, before baking

Now maybe it’s left unsaid because it’s super obvious, and if so, it wouldn’t be the first time I didn’t get the joke. But part of the beauty of the democratization of the interwebs is that nobodies like me get to spitball their untested theories for all to read. So that’s what we’re going to do. Buckle your seat belts.

Lemon Poppy Seed Bread

People of varying stripes enjoy speculating the why behind these ambiguous articles, but there’s no consensus. Never Trumpers would have you believe it’s because the United States is actually quite moderate and more conservative – just like them! – and Bernie is too far left and there’s just no way ‘Murica is voting for that mess. Bernie Bros shout it’s because “oh they’re not afraid he’d lose, they’re afraid he’d WIN! Establishment be terrified of OUR REVOLOOSHUN!” Because everyone else would rather stick ice picks in their eyes than witness a screaming match between Jennifer Rubin and Peter Daou, let’s posit some sane, yet possibly wrong, theories instead.

Lemon Poppy Seed Bread

Theory #1: Sanders will not beat Trump in a general.

Maybe we’re overthinking things and the simplest explanation is the most correct. You can agree with this assessment or not, but it’s entirely possible Obama and Co lack any sinister underlying motives and just honestly believe he’s the weakest candidate to go against Trump, and that it’s not personal to Sanders at all. They… might have a point.

Lemon Poppy Seed Bread

Theory #2: Sanders will beat Trump with or despite his radical rhetoric, but will accomplish nothing once in office, thereby embarrassing the party and setting back their electoral viability indefinitely.

Anyone outside of his diehard bros sees that Sanders will accomplish nothing if he achieves the highest office. He has no collaboration or coalition-building skills, he traffics in magical thinking rather than reality, and thinks demonization and blunt force are the way to get people on his side. He doesn’t listen to anyone, and he can’t handle the slightest bit of constructive criticism. His “political revolution” shit is all hot air, and even if it wasn’t, he has zero skills for executing on it. The mainstream media will have a field day blowing up his failures for four years straight. Now, it’s true that every politician who wins elected office is always forced to break a few campaign promises here and make a few bad compromises there. The electorate expects this. But the differential between Bernie’s campaign promises and campaign deliverances would be huge. Unprecedented. We’re not talking about Obama promising to close Guantanamo Bay and then trying and failing. That’s a normal type of thing. We’re talking about promises to gut and rebuild the entire governmental system in favor of the white working class, and then, like, not even getting a public option added to the ACA. The difference between those two examples is stark. And perhaps the Obamas of the Democratic Party worry this particular and especially grand version of overpromise/underdeliver would be too huge, possibly outright unforgivable by the electorate. Since there are other accomplished people running, maybe we don’t risk this with Sanders? 

slice of Lemon Poppy Seed Bread

Lemon Poppy Seed Bread slice

Theory #3: A Sanders win, though it would change precisely nothing about the status quo, would signal a change in the electorate that maybe the old guard Democratic party doesn’t want to acknowledge.

Toxic Bernie Bros and True Believers would have you believe the old guard fears him winning because he’ll change the system that is working so nicely for the rich and powerful. Everyone else knows this is crap, including the rich and powerful. They’re not the least bit afraid of losing their meal tickets due to a Sanders administration. But would an American public that proves their willingness to vote for Sanders, with all his lefty rhetoric shouted from the rooftops, spell out an ideological shift they have no desire to see, let alone grapple with? 

You know how liberals are always saying things like, “Dear God, how much worse would it be if Trump were actually competent?” I think it’s plausible that old guard Democrats are making something of the same calculation with Sanders. They aren’t worried about Sanders himself taking a bite out of their wealth and privilege, but if he wins an election, obviously that means the electorate is comfortable with the idea of taking them down a few pegs. And what if next time, the American left nominates someone young and capable? Yikes.

Food for thought. Thanks for riding along with me! We’ll see what happens. I’m still voting for Elizabeth Warren.

Print Recipe

Lemon Poppy Seed Bread

Author: Adapted from Magnolia Table by Joanna Gaines

Ingredients

BREAD:

  • 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 tbs poppy seeds
  • 1 tbs baking powder
  • ½ tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • 1 ⅔ cups white granulated sugar
  • ⅔ cup whole milk
  • ½ cup canola or vegetable oil
  • 3 large eggs
  • 2 tsp lemon zest OR the zest or 1 lemon + ½ tsp lemon extract
  • 2 tbs fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract

GLAZE:

  • ½ cup + 2 tbs powdered sugar
  • Zest of 2 large lemons
  • 2 tbs fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tbs water, plus more as needed

Instructions

BREAD:

  • Preheat your oven to 350 F. Generously grease a 9x5-inch loaf pan.
  • In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, poppy seeds, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
  • In a large bowl, combine the sugar, milk, oil, eggs, lemon zest, lemon extract if using, lemon juice, and vanilla. Whisk until blended. Add the dry ingredients to the liquid and whisk just until combined. Don’t overmix.
  • Scrape the batter into the prepared pan. Bake until a cake tester inserted sideways into the center of the bread comes out clean, 50 to 60 minutes. Let the bread cool on a rack at least 15 minutes before unmolding onto a rack to cool completely. Though I must confess I frequently forget to unmold after 15 minutes and cool it completely in the pan, and nothing bad has ever happened.

GLAZE:

  • Add powdered sugar to a small bowl. Add the lemon zest and stir to distribute. Stir in the lemon juice and 1 tablespoon of water. Whisk until smooth, then assess. Add more sugar if it’s too thin and more water if it’s too thick. I like a just pourable icing, but how thin or thick is subjective to your preferences. I’d caution that if it’s too thick and needs more liquid, use water instead of lemon juice. You run the risk of making it way too tart otherwise, thanks to the zest. I may or may not know this from experience.
  • When the bread has cooled completely, unmold onto or transfer to a plate or cutting board. Liberally drizzle the lemon glaze all over and let it drip down the sides. Slice and serve.

Notes

Recipe is adapted from Magnolia Table by Joanna Gaines. I decided I had to have a lemon bread recipe on my site, then remembered that while I always love the idea of it, most lemon breads just don’t live up to their potential. So I tested three different recipes from my cookbook arsenal, and this was (surprisingly?) the clear winner. Best texture, best strong lemony flavor, and the best golden brown, crackly edges. I made a few changes to the original. First, I doubled the amount of poppy seeds called for, because I’m of the firm belief that if you’re not able to fail a drug test at work after eating the treat, then it just didn’t have enough. Secondly, I halved the amount of glaze because I’m sick and tired of these glaze recipes that make way too much and waste your powdered sugar. A note on glazes in general: the amounts are suggestions. You are the ultimate judge. If it’s too thin, add powdered sugar until it’s not; if it’s too thick, keep adding liquid. The ballpark amounts matter, the exact amounts do not.
Next Post
Previous Post

Filed Under: Muffins + Quick Breads, Uncategorized

Previous Post: « Iceberg with Pecorino, Crushed Olives, and Pickled Chile
Next Post: Best Ever Shrimp Pad Thai »

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

subscribe

jalapenosandanchovies

jalapenosandanchovies
Palomas with Chaat Masala! Need a drink tonight? O Palomas with Chaat Masala! Need a drink tonight? Of course you do! Want to at least feel like you're enjoying it on a tropical beach? That'd be nice... Here you go! 

Palomas are Margaritas' first cousins: grapefruit, tequila, agave syrup, and this very special, lovely version adds the Indian spice mix chaat masala for a unique twist you didn't expect. It's 💯😊💛

https://jalapenosandanchovies.com/2019/03/06/paloma-with-chaat-masala/

TY to @taraobrady for a delicious recipe! 

#sevenspoonscookbook #paloma #cocktails #chaatmasala @huffposttaste #foodblogger #mexicancocktails #happyhour #grapefruit #tequila #agave @chowhound #chowhound #drinksofinstagram #instadrink @foodblogfeed #foodblogfeed #eternalwinter #tropicaldrinks #imisstravelling @thefeedfeed #feedfeed #drinkporn #staysafe #limes #ontheblog
My Favorite Turkey Chili! Happy another snow day My Favorite Turkey Chili! 

Happy another snow day (or something) my fellow northeasterners! We got 2 feet yesterday, and another few inches today, and I'll just confirm that being stuck inside for blizzards > being stuck inside for pandemics. 

I'm craving chili rn, of course I didn't think ahead to get stuff to make it, but if I had, this beautiful turkey chili would be dinner tonight. Dark meat turkey, lots of earthy spices incl cocoa powder give it an almost mole vibe. I always serve any chili with Frito scoops and Shiner Bock, because part of me never really left Texas! 😍😍

https://jalapenosandanchovies.com/2019/03/14/my-favorite-turkey-chili/

#ontheblog #chili #chiliseason #turkey #turkeychili @huffposttaste #snowday #shinerbock @thefeedfeed #feedfeed #foodblogger #fritos @chowhound #chowhound #gamedayfood #cozyfood @foodblogfeed #foodblogfeed #texmex #snowedin #forkyeah #favoritefood #love #coldweatherfood #texasfood
New Post! Kale and Broccoli Yogurt Caesar I some New Post! Kale and Broccoli Yogurt Caesar 

I somehow took the month of January off social media. It wasn't planned; I spend January in a bit of a fog and a funk under the best of circumstances, and it turns out, a pandemic and an insurrection on the Capitol aren't the "best of circumstances" - SHOCKER!! 

So, how was it being mostly off Instagram for a month? The best answer I can give is 🤷‍♀️

Did I miss it? Nope, not even a little bit. 
Did it improve my life in any way? Again, no, not one bit. I'm still me, I'm still here, there's still a pandemic. Really digging this whole New President thing though 😊

Anyways, I did get some content #ontheblog in January, I hope you love it! First up, a lightened and super easy Caesar salad, which is hearty and creamy and tangy, and if you haven't tried torn croutons yet, well, I could sing their praises all day. Probably easiest to just try them to shut me up 😂😁

https://jalapenosandanchovies.com/2021/01/11/kale-and-broccoli-yogurt-caesar-with-torn-croutons/

#newpost #caesarsalad #yogurt @justinchapple #yogurt #yogurtcaesardressing #broccoli #kale @chowhound #chowhound #saladfordinner @huffposttaste #torncroutons #homemadecroutons @foodblogfeed #foodblogfeed #foodblogger #recipes @thefeedfeed #feedfeed #healthycooking #eatyourgreens #goodfood #staywarm #staysafeeveryone
Chocolate Tahini Sheet Cake with Tahini Frosting i Chocolate Tahini Sheet Cake with Tahini Frosting is #ontheblog 👍👍
Today culminates one of the darkest weeks I've seen in a long time. I strongly suspected some sort of chaos would happen January 6th, but was still shaken by the depravity of it. One aspect I can't shake or wrap my head around is how we're all just... expected to go on with life. After watching half of Congress almost get assassinated. That happened, we saw it live, and it's just, go back to work, do the laundry, go on about your routine. No day of mourning, no time off to process the trauma. 

I feel very weird sharing recipes. Who's even thinking about cooking rn? There's no real way to rationalize it; it's my job, and like you, I have to keep working. If you want a stress bake, this cake will treat you well. Tahini - not just for hummus! It pairs with chocolate beautifully. 

Stay safe, take care of yourself. Keep using your voice to fight for justice. It'll get worse before it gets better. Sending you 💛💛💛

https://jalapenosandanchovies.com/2020/01/10/chocolate-tahini-sheet-cake-with-tahini-frosting/

@mollyyeh #cake #chocolatecake #tahini #chocolate @huffposttaste #sheetcake #foodblogger @thefeedfeed #feedfeed #instacake #stressbaking @chowhound #chowhound #2021 @foodblogfeed #foodblogfeed #january6th #staysafeeveryone
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Copyright © 2021 Jalapenos & Anchovies on the Foodie Pro Theme